Testimony as a target: how witnesses at the antisemitism royal commission are being abused online
New research looking at more than 1,300 posts directed toward witnesses reveals vitriolic abuse. Royal commissions need updating for the digital age.
In December 2025, a terrorist attack on Bondi Beach resulted in the deaths of 15 people and 37 injuries. This tragic event marked the deadliest terror attack on Australian soil. Following this horrific attack, the Australian government formed the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in January 2026. During the commission's inquiry, various incidents of antisemitic attacks came to light, including arson at Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne and a kosher restaurant in Sydney, both of which were linked by authorities to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The commission has been receiving numerous reports of online abuse targeting witnesses. Since the hearings began on May 4, researchers have documented over 1,300 instances of such abuse. These posts, monitored using social media tools and manual searching, primarily originate from 1,137 distinct accounts across various platforms, indicating a wide distribution of this hate speech.
The abuse takes many forms, ranging from violent language and conspiracy theories to Holocaust denial and calls for the execution of witnesses and Jews. A prominent Jewish leader received more than 2,200 comments, some of which were violently threatening. Witness testimony has been met with graphic imagery, such as a depiction of a witness in a gas chamber, and accusations of being paid actors or crisis actors.
The commission has been criticized for being a taxpayer-funded exercise run by and for Jews. The attacks not only target the victims but also their families, casting a chilling shadow over the entire democratic process and rule of law.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
