Arabic version: اليهود الأستراليون يشاركون تجاربهم المؤلمة في تحقيق معاداة السامية

According to SBS News,

Jewish children in Australia are reportedly growing up in fear, according to testimonies presented at a royal commission following the Bondi terror attack that left 15 people dead in December 2024. The inquiry, which began its public hearings on Monday, aims to explore the lived experiences of Jewish Australians in light of increasing antisemitism.

Stefanie Schwartz, president of Mount Sinai College, shared the traumatic impact of the Bondi attack on her five-year-old daughter, who was present during the incident. “Since the Bondi attack, the level of guarding, police presence, is much more extreme,” Schwartz stated, highlighting that the school now resembles a prison due to heightened security measures.

The inquiry also heard from witnesses who expressed concerns about safety during pro-Palestinian rallies, drawing parallels to historical persecutions of Jews. One anonymous witness recounted an incident in Melbourne where protesters smashed the glass door of an Israeli restaurant while diners observed the Jewish Shabbat in July 2025.

Several witnesses attributed the rise in antisemitism to radical ideologies and called for a more proactive response from authorities. One participant, speaking under the pseudonym AAL, emphasized the need to address the root causes of antisemitism, warning that without decisive action, the situation could worsen.

The commission’s hearings will continue until mid-June, with a final report expected later this year. The second hearing block will specifically investigate the events surrounding the Bondi attack and the actions of intelligence and law enforcement agencies prior to the incident. The inquiry aims to shed light on the growing concerns regarding antisemitism in Australian society.