Australia begins inquiry into antisemitism after Bondi attacks

INQUIRY SCOPE LIMITED

Due to the ongoing legal proceedings, no potential witnesses in Akram’s trial will be called to give evidence to the commission, Bell said.

Bell said she plans to meet with victims’ families in private to explain some of the limitations of her inquiry.

Richard Lancaster, the top lawyer assisting Bell with the inquiry, said his team had sent dozens of requests to government and other agencies to produce documentary evidence, but the level of responses is “not presently where we would like it to be”.

There was no testimony heard or evidence given on Tuesday, and the commission has yet to determine when it will next sit.

Michele Goldman, CEO of the New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, said after the hearing that the inquiry would be an opportunity to showcase the community’s “horrific” experiences of antisemitism.

But some people directly impacted by the attack would find it “very hard” to be barred from sharing their accounts with the inquiry, she said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had initially resisted calls to set up a Royal Commission, saying the process would take years, which attracted criticism from Jewish groups and victims’ families.

The Bondi attack followed a spate of antisemitic incidents in the country, including the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue.

The government has already responded by tightening gun laws and introducing new legislation against hate speech.