{
  "id": 154491,
  "title": "Commissioner rebukes claim pro-Palestinian groups tried to 'hijack' hearing",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/commissioner-rebukes-claim-pro-palestinian-groups-tried-to-hijack",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-05T01:49:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-05/bondi-antisemitism-royal-commission-virginia-bell-hijack-claim/106997564"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Commissioner Virginia Bell has challenged claims that pro-Palestinian groups sought to \"hijack\" the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip testified about the impact of a controversial protest on the Jewish community. During questioning by counsel from pro-Palestinian groups, Ossip faced criticism for what the counselor deemed as a lack of sensitivity. Commissioner Bell stated that Ms. Mathur, representing the pro-Palestinian groups, did not \"hijack\" the commission. She emphasized that Ms. Mathur's questioning was limited to a specific paragraph of Ossip's testimony, and that Ossip could not comment on the death toll of Palestinians during the conflict. The Commissioner also addressed Islamophobic comments made by a prominent Jewish community member, stating that such attacks do not reflect well on those making them.",
  "summary": "The royal commission on antisemitism has hit back at comments from a prominent member of the Jewish community who accused pro-Palestinian groups of attempting to \"hijack\" the inquiry using \"clickbait theatrics and gratuitous slurs\".",
  "key_points": [
    "Commissioner Virginia Bell rebuked claims of \"hijacking\" the hearing.",
    "Pro-Palestinian groups' questioning focused on a single paragraph.",
    "Islamophobic remarks criticized, not representative of the commission."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The commissioner's intervention establishes a stricter boundary for witnesses and counsel, setting a precedent that may curb aggressive exchanges and promote more focused testimony.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}