Australia Holds Royal Commission Inquiry Into Bondi Beach Mass Shooting

The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion began public hearings in Sydney on May 4 to investigate a surge in antisemitic violence and institutional failures in Australia. The inquiry was established following a December 14 mass shooting at Bondi Beach, where gunmen Sajid and Naveed Akram allegedly killed 15 Jews and injured 40 others during a Hanukkah celebration.

Led by retired judge Virginia Bell, the commission heard from Holocaust survivor Peter Halasz and community leaders who described a deterioration in safety beginning after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. Witnesses reported an avalanche of abuse, including the firebombing of homes, targeted arson, and physical assaults at the University of Sydney and the Sydney Opera House. Educational leaders testified that Jewish schools have become fortified, with some primary schools requiring terror drills and extreme security measures.

Testimonies highlighted a trend of holding Jewish Australians accountable for the Israeli government's military actions. Some students reportedly avoid wearing school uniforms in Melbourne's central business district to escape abuse. The commission previously released an interim report featuring 14 recommendations for gun reform and increased security. A second block of hearings will examine the specific circumstances of the Bondi Beach attack before a final report is issued on December 14, 2026.