Some expert, many personal: 346 voices have been heard

The anti-Semitism royal commission in Australia heard testimony from 346 witnesses over 62 days, as well as more than 20,000 submissions. The inquiry investigated experiences of anti-Semitism, particularly since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 that killed over 1,200 people and led to a broader Gaza war that has caused significant Palestinian casualties.

Many Jewish Australians reported feeling increasingly uncomfortable practicing their religion openly, with witnesses describing anti-Semitic prejudice growing, online abuse becoming frequent and deeply offensive, and Jews being blamed for actions of foreign governments. The inquiry heard testimony of Jews fearing for their safety, being called "baby killers" and even practitioners of genocide.

Some experts testified that prejudice had been rebranded into something legitimate and even necessary. The commission aims to differentiate legitimate criticism of Israel from anti-Semitism, while recognizing the need for practical responses to address the deterioration in the experience of Australian Jews. The commission's final report is due by December 18.