Jewish community leadership calls for a Royal Commission

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, together with the Jewish roof organisations in each State and Territory, call for a Federal Royal Commission into antisemitism.

The data that the ECAJ collates shows that antisemitic incidents in this country have increased exponentially from pre-7 October 2023 levels.

Those incidents have become increasingly violent, culminating in the attack at Bondi Beach.

Over the last two years, we have issued repeated warnings to the government about increasing Jew hatred in this country and the social permissiveness that has been allowed to grow, resulting in further attacks.

It is critical that government and society understand the sources of antisemitism especially in the last two years, and how Australia arrived at its present position where hatred of one ethnic and religious minority has become so extraordinarily rampant.

Only a Federal Royal Commission encompassing the nation as a whole would provide that process.

We have watched with increasing dismay as the Federal Government has resisted calls from all sectors of society for a Federal Royal Commission.

We believe that as many have already noted, the arguments against such a Royal Commission not only are unconvincing and misconceived, but perhaps more importantly deny the urgent need to tackle the evil of antisemitism in the interests of unity and social cohesion in Australia.

We have been heartened by the outpouring of support from the Australian public and, and the calls from so many sectors of society, for a Federal Royal Commission. Australians are demanding accountability and healing.

It is time for the Federal Government to listen to the people.

Daniel Aghion KC
President, Executive Council of Australian Jewry

David Ossip
President, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies

Athol Morris, President ACT Jewish Community

Philip Zajac, President, Jewish Community Council of Victoria

Annetay Henderson-Sapir, President, Jewish Community Council of South Australia

Michael Levitt AM, President Jewish Community Council of Western Australia

Vida Goodvach, President, Northern Territory Jewish Community Association

Jason Steinberg, President, Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies

Support has come from other quarters.

“We are joining the call for a federal Royal Commission re the Bondi Beach massacre on 14.12.25, the first night of Chanukah, when the Jewish community was gunned down by ISIS-inspired terrorists,” said Norman and Barbara Miller, Co-founders of Indigenous Friends of Israel International Foundation.

“The refusal by PM Albanese to set up a Royal Commission despite calls by the families of those killed and injured at Bondi Beach, and a host of eminent Australians from the judiciary, national security, law enforcement, Jewish leadership and former MP’s is scandalous and is adding fuel to the fire of a rage burning in Australia that could see the Prime Minister’s downfall.

Instead, Albanese is setting up a law enforcement and intelligence review that does not mention antisemitism or Jews or previous attacks on Jews, and does not include hate speech, hate preachers or pro-Palestinian protests featuring the flags or photos of leaders of terror groups. This will not cut it.

“PM Albanese’s excuse for not holding a Royal Commission shows he is fearful of the outcome. He said, ‘Royal Commissions can be good at deciding facts … (they are) not as good to consider things that are not agreed, where people have differences of views.’

“Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said it would further challenge our social cohesion. It would ‘provide a public platform for some of the worst statements and worst voices, to effectively relive some of the worst examples of antisemitism over the last two years.’ But the truth needs to come out and the Jewish community have said they need it to feel safe.

“Sheina Gutnik, the daughter of murdered Reuven Morrison, led the efforts of the families of victims of Bondi to write a joint statement to the Prime Minister calling for a Royal Commission, telling The Australian: “It’s the absolute audacity for them to come out and tell us how we are going to feel about this. It’s incomprehensible on Albanese, trying to dictate what is going to traumatise us. Let’s take these steps to ensure that there will be no further trauma.”

The Millers continued, “PM Albanese thought he and Foreign Minister Penny Wong could criticise Israel unfairly and with impunity and not lead to serious consequences for Jewish Australians and not draw accusations of culpability for the Bondi Beach massacre. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke thought he could bring in 3,000 Gazans and some ISIS brides to keep his Muslim voters onside without affecting social cohesion in Australia,”

 Despite numerous warnings from the Jewish community and national security agencies, he took little action and now plans an inquiry into national security and law enforcement agencies as window dressing and a cover for his own performance.

Many good-hearted Australians have come out of the woodwork to show support and care for our Jewish neighbours. We hope this will continue. It should not take a horrific tragedy to bring it, but we have reached a turning point in facing and dealing with antisemitism in Australia. Let’s make sure we are up to the task.”