Antisemitism Inquiry in Australia Faces Backlash
In Australia, the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion is dealing with a concerning spike in online harassment and bigotry directed towards Jewish witnesses who have testified. This revelation was made public by Virginia Bell, the commission’s head and a former High Court judge.
The commission was established following a tragic event in Sydney where two gunmen, allegedly driven by Islamic State ideology, killed 15 individuals during a Hanukkah celebration. As the highest form of public inquiry in Australia, royal commissions aim to address and investigate significant societal issues.
Since the commencement of public hearings on May 4, Jewish community members who have shared their experiences of antisemitism have encountered online “harassment and intimidation,” according to Bell. She noted a “dramatic increase in online hate messages” targeting these witnesses after their testimonies.
Bell expressed her dismay at the situation, stating, “Quite what this undiluted level of hatred and bigotry directed towards members of the Jewish community is thought to benefit by those who post these remarks is lost on me.” She also mentioned that the commission is actively documenting these offensive social media posts, and in certain instances, involving law enforcement.
The primary objective of the commission is to understand and evaluate the real-world experiences of antisemitism faced by the Jewish community. The conduct observed online is informing this investigation.
The initial two weeks of the inquiry have focused on examining the nature and extent of antisemitism within Australian society and its institutions. In a related incident, a 68-year-old man was arrested for wearing a shirt featuring a “prohibited Nazi symbol” near the commission’s venue in Sydney. The shirt’s design controversially combined a Star of David with a swastika, accompanied by the slogan, “Antisemitism. Proud to be accused. Speak up!”
The commission responded to this incident by expressing its disapproval, stating it was “appalled” by the display of an “antisemitic shirt” in its vicinity. It reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety of its witnesses and declared its resolve to investigate antisemitism in Australia without succumbing to fear or intimidation.
