Royal Commission Antisemitism Hearings Begin in Sydney

Public hearings of Australia's Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion began Monday in Sydney, with Jewish witnesses describing a surge in hatred that has left them fearful following the December 14 mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach that killed 15 people and injured 40 others.

Father and son Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram carried out the attack using legally owned firearms, according to authorities. The incident, described as inspired by the Islamic State group, occurred amid tight national gun controls. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police at the scene, while his son survived with wounds and faces charges including a terrorist act, 15 counts of murder, and 40 counts of attempted murder. He has not entered pleas.

The two-week hearings focus on the lived experiences of Jewish Australians, with witnesses recounting incidents of verbal abuse, physical threats, vandalism, and doxxing. Sheina Gutnick, daughter of victim Reuven Morrison, testified that a year before the shooting, a man in a Sydney shopping mall spotted her Star of David necklace and called her a terrorist while she held her baby. "I felt shocked, exposed and unsafe," she said. "There...