Australia’s response to the devastating Bondi Beach shooting during the 2025 Hanukkah festival is gaining momentum, as the newly formed Royal Commission begins its critical examination of antisemitism’s rise and the erosion of social cohesion. The incident, which killed 15 people, has become a stark symbol of vulnerability in multicultural societies.
Commissioner Virginia Bell set the tone in Tuesday’s launch speech, committing to a forensic look at the attack’s security failures and the efficacy of counter-terrorism efforts. She passionately appealed to Jewish Australians: share your stories of antisemitism to illuminate hidden prejudices. ‘We must assess if our agencies were fully effective,’ she asserted.
The probe’s scope is expansive, encompassing community-wide antisemitism trends, schoolyard bullying, and university disruptions. Scheduled for completion in December 2026, it promises actionable insights to bolster national unity.
Bell introduced user-friendly online portals for evidence, prioritizing privacy over public exposure. Veteran counsel Richard Lancaster called the event ‘profoundly terrifying,’ recognizing the lasting psychological wounds on Jewish families.
Sajid Akram and son Naveed, ISIS-inspired assailants, struck at the heart of celebration. Police neutralized Sajid on-site; injured Naveed, aged 24, is indicted on 59 counts including 15 murders and terror charges. This inquiry could redefine Australia’s fight against hate.