The Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has heard evidence on the online environment for Jewish people this week from Federal MP Josh Burns, Bondi Beach terror attack survivor Arsen Ostrovsky and the eSafety Commissioner.
Burns told the Commission he has been subject to “relentless online abuse,” which he described as “a message saying to the Jewish people that you don’t belong in this Australia.”
The hearings will continue next week, with witnesses to reflect on their experiences with traditional media.
Background
On 14 December, two gunmen opened fire at a Jewish community event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, killing 15 and injuring dozens who had gathered to celebrate the start of the Jewish festival of Chanukah.
The mass shooting was declared aterrorist attack, triggering calls for a Royal Commission into antisemitism in Australia. The NSW Government set up a Commission, while the Federal Government initially rejected the calls.
Albanese then announced a Royal Commission into Antisemitism andSocial Cohesion on 8 January.
Hearings
During this block of hearings, witnesses reflected on their online experiences of antisemitism.
Arsen Ostrovsky
Ostrovsky was injured in the terror attack. A photo of his bloodied head circulated online. He said he was called a fake and labelled a “crisis actor” (a term used by conspiracy theorists to suggest an attack was faked).
Steven Lowy
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Lowy is a businessman and son of Westfield founder Frank Lowy. He said his family has experienced 15,000 online attacks in the past year, including threats on their lives.
Josh Burns
The Federal MP said his office windows were smashed, and horns were painted onto his photo outside. He said his non-Jewish partner, Victorian Upper House member Georgie Purcell, receives “hate and misogyny and antisemitism”.
Sarah Schwartz
Schwartz, co-founder of the Jewish Council of Australia, said she has received “pro-Israel” messages calling her “not really Jewish,” as well as calls from neo-Nazis. She said people “conflate... Jewish identity and Israel”.
eSafety Commissioner
Julie Inman Grant said she believes “so many in the Jewish community are experiencing antisemitism... on a daily basis if they’re online”.
“To see your family, to see your staff, to see the people you love around you just because they‘re associated with you, cop this sort of abuse... it’s devastating," Federal MP Josh Burns speaking at the third round of Royal Commission hearings.
What’s next?
Block three of hearings will continue until next Friday 10 July.
The next block will be held in Melbourne from 13 to 17 July, and will focus on the experience of antisemitism in universities.
Commissioner Virginia Bell must deliver the final report by 14 December, one year after the terror attack.
