{
  "id": 4066858,
  "title": "Royal commission lays bare the fear and anger of Jewish Australians. But has it got to the heart of antisemitism?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/29/royal-commission-lays-bare-the-fear-and-anger-of-jewish-australians",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-29T00:00:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Guardian Australia",
    "slug": "the-guardian-australia",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/29/antisemitism-royal-commission-jewish-australia-ntwnfb"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion in Australia has exposed the fear and anguish experienced by Jewish Australians since the October 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. Quarter of a century after the Bondi terror attack, the inquiry began amid grief, with one survivor Liat testifying to the \"pervasive fear\" that gripped her university campus after the tragic incident. The commission, which concluded its public hearings after four months, faced criticism over its narrow definition of antisemitism, limited inclusion of voices supportive of Palestine, and the safety concerns of those who spoke out. Alex Ryvchin, co-chair of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, emphasized that the public hearings brought to light the anguish of ordinary community members. The final week of hearings saw calls from the federal opposition and some Jewish leaders to extend the inquiry's timeframe. However, commissioner Virginia Bell SC resisted the request, aiming to avoid the final report coinciding with the first anniversary of the Bondi attack. Critics argue that the commission missed opportunities to hear from pro-Palestine activists, who have faced abuse from pro-Israel groups. Jewish historians and advocates have noted the importance of examining antisemitism as a form of racism and holding those responsible accountable for the crisis.",
  "summary": "Hearings began amid the grief of the Bondi attack. The community hopes the inquiry will ‘help us to go back to the Australia that we love’ Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast As the university student Liat was excused from the witness stand of the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion, she felt a weight lifted off her chest. “It was certainly very…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Liberals wanted to extend the royal commission. But Jewish groups did not join the call",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/liberals-wanted-to-extend-the-royal-commission-but-jewish-groups-did",
        "published": "2026-08-28T19:00:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Liberals wanted to extend the royal commission. But Jewish groups did not join the call",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/liberals-wanted-to-extend-the-royal-commission-but-jewish-groups-did-4016430",
        "published": "2026-08-28T19:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}