The final stage of hearings on anti-Semitism is beginning in Australia
Australia’s Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion is beginning its ninth and final round of public hearings in Sydney. To date, the commission has heard testimony from hundreds of people and received more than 20,000 submissions, according to ABC News Australia.
Among those who testified were Holocaust survivors, relatives of the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack, and children who spoke about their fears for their future as Australian Jews. A significant portion of the testimony from intelligence and law enforcement officials was heard in closed session due to national security concerns and ongoing legal proceedings.
In its final phase, the commission will focus on how to better understand, measure, and strengthen social cohesion in society. Commissioner Virginia Bell stated that the hearings will bring together evidence from a wide range of fields. According to her, the commission will hear from representatives of organizations that are already implementing programs and initiatives in Australia to assess their contribution to creating safer, more inclusive, and more cohesive communities.
For more breaking news, follow the UA.News Telegram channel.
The hearings will continue through Friday, August 28. Bell is expected to submit her final report and recommendations by the first anniversary of the Bondi Beach attack. During the shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Archer Park, 15 people were killed and dozens more were injured. One of the two shooters was killed by police, while the other is standing trial on charges of murder and terrorist offenses.
Bell, a former judge of the High Court of Australia, stated that she would not request an extension of the deadline for submitting the report. She emphasized that she considers it critically important to submit the document no later than the first anniversary of the attack.
