The Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has announced it will examine the causes of antisemitism and the pathways that lead to radicalisation when its next round of public hearings begins in Sydney next month.
Hearing Block 8 will run from August 5 to 14 and will focus on the key drivers of antisemitism in Australia, including religious, far right and other ideologically motivated extremism.
The hearings will examine how individuals become radicalised or are drawn towards antisemitic beliefs, with particular attention to the role of online platforms, digital environments and the influence of preachers and other authority figures who incite hatred. The commission will also consider how law enforcement agencies respond to those threats.
Commissioner Virginia Bell said the hearing block would address issues central to the commission’s Terms of Reference.
“Hearing Block 8 will examine the causes, influences and pathways that contribute to antisemitism and radicalisation in Australia, in line with the Royal Commission’s Terms of Reference,” Bell said.
“We will also explore the effectiveness of current government, law enforcement and community responses, with a focus on prevention, early intervention and deradicalisation.”
The commission will also examine government strategies aimed at preventing radicalisation and supporting people at risk of extremist behaviour. Evidence is expected to cover best practice approaches to early intervention, disengagement and deradicalisation, as well as the effectiveness of existing government and community-based countering violent extremism programs.
The hearing block follows earlier evidence before the commission covering the experiences of Jewish Australians, online antisemitism, security threats, university campuses, policing and the protection of Jewish schools, synagogues and community organisations.