The Jewish Council of Australia is committed to working with the Royal Commission into the Bondi massacre, stressing that the inquiry must prioritise accountability, and understand antisemitism as an issue deeply intertwined with all forms of racism — rather than being derailed into a political battle that encourages more racism and division.
The Council said it would engage constructively with the Royal Commission to ensure that Jewish perspectives are represented in all their diversity, including voices committed to Palestinian human rights, civil liberties, multiculturalism and evidence-based public policy.
Dr Max Kaiser, Executive Officer, Jewish Council of Australia:
“The Bondi massacre deserves real accountability. This Royal Commission must focus on the failures that led to violence, and must steadfastly avoid politicising the issue of antisemitism to target migrants or silence dissent. That kind of politics makes Jewish people, and everyone, less safe.”
“There is a major problem with framing antisemitism as an issue of ‘religiously motivated’ extremism that can be solved through security responses and migration settings. We must avoid demonising faith groups and migrants and instead see antisemitism as one expression of a deep problem of racism in Australian society.’
“A credible inquiry must be independent, compassionate and evidence-based not turned into a platform to attack the Palestine solidarity movement, universities, migrants or human rights institutions. Jewish safety is not served by encouraging more racism or politicisation; it is served by accountability, evidence and genuine public confidence.”
Sarah Schwartz, Executive Officer, Jewish Council of Australia:
“We are committed to working with this Commission to ensure that it focuses on Bondi and adopts an anti-racist approach. Our petition calling for unity after the Bondi massacre, signed by over 50,000 Australians and thousands of Jews, shows that Jewish safety is intertwined with the safety of all peoples and with all of our human rights. We don’t want to see this tragedy being weaponised to spread hatred and division.”
“It is important for the Commission to recognise diversity within the Jewish community and avoid the type of naked politicisation of tragedy which we have seen in the wake of the Bondi massacre.”
To arrange an interview or for further comment, email media@jewishcouncil.com.au or SMS 0493 970 412.