Daughter of Bondi terror victim to give evidence

Heartbreaking examples of hatred against Jews will be shared at the first public hearings of the royal commission into antisemitism, with Zelie Heger SC giving the opening speech, assisted by an adviser who will detail some of the worst examples, including children on a school bus.

Heger told the commission: “The explicit abuse was not just directed at adults. The perpetrators of the abuse were both adults and children, and in one horrific incident, a minor told a Jewish student that Hitler should have gassed them all.”

Heger told the commission that Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023 was “a significant turning point for antisemitism in Australia”.

Richard Lancaster SC, assisting the commission, also outlined plans for future hearing obstructions, including an investigation into the circumstances leading up to the Bondi Beach terror attack, as well as a “specific focus on antisemitism on social media” and the role this may play in radicalisation.

Future public hearings will also include universities and other public institutions.