{"id":2256,"date":"2026-04-30T18:13:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-30T18:13:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/2256\/"},"modified":"2026-04-30T18:13:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T18:13:41","slug":"royal-commission-into-antisemitism-bondi-beach-terror-attack-begins-in-sydney","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/2256\/","title":{"rendered":"Royal commission into antisemitism, Bondi Beach terror attack begins in Sydney"},"content":{"rendered":"

Commonwealth and state government agencies have been put on notice to produce documents for the royal commission into antisemitism and the Bondi Beach terror attack.<\/p>\n

The federal inquiry was called on January 9, less than one month after 15 people were killed during the shooting at a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach<\/a> and will examine antisemitism and social cohesion and the circumstances around the attack.<\/p>\n

Gunman Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene, while his son Naveed Akram faces a number of charges over the attack, including 15 counts of murder.<\/p>\n

\"Memorial<\/p>\n

The inquiry will examine the rise of antisemitism in Australia. (ABC News: Monish Nand)<\/p>\n

The massacre sparked national outrage and a flurry of state<\/a> and federal laws were introduced in a bid to suppress hatred<\/a> and bolster community safety.<\/p>\n

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese initially expressed concerns about the protracted length of a federal royal commission, and the potential platforming of antisemitism during hearings.<\/p>\n

But following weeks of pressure<\/a>, Mr Albanese said he had spoken with the Jewish community and victims’ families and deemed the national inquiry necessary.<\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n

Richard Lancaster and Commissioner Virginia Bell arrive for the first day of the royal commission. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)<\/p>\n

What to expect<\/p>\n

Headed by former High Court Justice Virginia Bell<\/a>, she has been directed to make recommendations on how to strengthen social cohesion and counter the spread of ideological and religiously motivated extremism.<\/p>\n

“I trust everyone will appreciate why the focus of this commission will be on tackling antisemitism as a starting point in strengthening our bonds of social cohesion,” she said.<\/p>\n

No evidence or testimony was heard on the first day of the hearing.<\/p>\n

\"Virginia<\/p>\n

Virginia Bell will lead the royal commission and deliver her findings by the end of the year. (Supplied: Murray Harris Photography)<\/p>\n

Senior counsel assisting Richard Lancaster SC also made a statement.<\/p>\n

“The counsel assisting team acknowledge with great sadness the immense trauma this has caused Jewish Australians and members of the community living in Bondi, those visiting for a meal or a swim that evening, those who bravely rushed to help, and many others throughout Sydney and Australia have been deeply affected by the attack,” Mr Lancaster said.<\/p>\n

State, federal government to produce evidence<\/p>\n

A working definition of antisemitism was presented to the inquiry, with Mr Lancaster saying the letters patent that established the royal commission referred to social cohesion as a “national consensus in support of democracy, freedom and the rule of law”.<\/p>\n

“It is a consensus that a diverse, multicultural society can subsist and thrive only by mutual acceptance of our respective democratic freedoms, exercised according to law,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Social cohesion begins with empathy.”\"Man<\/p>\n

Counsel assisting Richard Lancaster paid tribute to the victims of the terror attack. (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)<\/p>\n

Some hearings could be conducted behind closed doors to prevent the airing of antisemitic views or other evidence that may be harmful to future criminal proceedings.<\/p>\n

Ms Bell said anyone could make a submission to the inquiry.<\/p>\n

“I’m interested in hearing from Jewish Australians who’ve experienced antisemitism, whether at school or at university, or in the workplace or elsewhere,” she said.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The findings are due before the 12 month anniversary of the terror attack. (Reuters: Hollie Adams)<\/p>\n

“Making a submission does not commit a person to giving evidence in public, and no person will be pressured to do so.”<\/p>\n

Mr Lancaster said dozens of notices had been issued to commonwealth and state agencies and various other “organisations of interest” to produce documents.<\/p>\n

“The process of document production by some recipients of notices is not presently where we would like it to be,” he said.<\/p>\n

“There are also further notices to produce that are yet to be issued.”<\/p>\n

Scope limited<\/p>\n

Mr Lancaster said it would not be possible for the royal commission to report on matters which could prejudice future criminal proceedings against Naveed Akram, who is yet to plead to any charges.<\/p>\n

“We do not propose to conduct public hearings on the matters with which those pending charges are concerned, and judgement will need to be exercised about where that line is to be drawn,” he said.<\/p>\n

“It is necessary to preserve the proper administration of criminal justice.”<\/p>\n

Speaking after the hearing, Jewish Board of Deputies CEO Michele Goldman said she was confident the inquiry would be thorough, despite its limitations.<\/p>\n

“I think its going to be very hard for some people who have had events happen to them which have created a huge amount of pain and trauma, not to be able to share their experiences, likewise there’s others who are not ready to do so,” she said.<\/p>\n

“But I think there is such widespread impact as a result of this attack that we will be able to able to gather sufficient lived experience from across the community.”<\/p>\n

When are the findings due?<\/p>\n

The commission must deliver an interim report by April 30, with a final report and recommendations expected before December 14.<\/p>\n

Families remember Bondi victims<\/a><\/p>\n

An act of terror took the lives of 15 people at Bondi. Their names, stories and legacies are held close by a shaken, grieving community.<\/p>\n

Ms Bell said the timing of the deadline was of “critical importance”.<\/p>\n

“The first anniversary for those directly affected by it and for the broader Jewish and Bondi communities, is going to be a difficult time,” she said.<\/p>\n

“I acknowledge that for some, it will never be right to speak of closure, but one small part of coming to terms with the events of that evening will be the work of this commission.”<\/p>\n

A previously announced review of federal intelligence and law enforcement, headed by ex-security boss Dennis Richardson, will also be folded into the royal commission.<\/p>\n

Mr Richardson’s recommendations are expected to be handed to the government in April.<\/p>\n

The royal commission has been adjourned, with further hearing dates yet to be scheduled.<\/p>\n

Look back at how ABC readers and other Australians responded to this live
\n moment.<\/p>\n

24 Feb, 12:14amTue 24 Feb 2026 at 12:14am<\/p>\n

Opening hearing wraps up\"Miriah<\/p>\n

The ceremonial opening of the royal commission has been adjourned to a date that is yet to be fixed.<\/p>\n

Mr Lancaster says hearing days are yet to be scheduled but the process will begin “as soon as practicable”.<\/p>\n

24 Feb, 12:10amTue 24 Feb 2026 at 12:10am<\/p>\n

Lancaster’s closing remarks<\/p>\n

“It is a consensus that a diverse, multicultural society can subsist and thrive only by mutual acceptance of our respective democratic freedoms, exercised according to law.<\/p>\n

“Social cohesion begins with empathy. A large part of the work of this commission will be to present evidence, to allow a broader understanding of the scourge of antisemitism, its nature and prevalence throughout Australian society, and its impact on the lives of fellow Australians.”<\/p>\n

24 Feb, 12:07amTue 24 Feb 2026 at 12:07am<\/p>\n

Who will the commission hear from?<\/p>\n

Mr Lancaster has outlined who the commission will hear from.<\/p>\n

He said dozens of notices have been issued to Commonwealth and State agencies and various other “organisations of interest” to produce documents.<\/p>\n

“There are also further notices to produce that are yet to be issued,” he said.<\/p>\n

“It is also proposed to lead evidence from relevant persons by way of witness statements.<\/p>\n

“The Commission will also hear oral evidence from witnesses in person, including expert.”<\/p>\n

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