As you probably already know, the Australian government has established the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion in response to the Bondi terrorist attack. Like many of you, I am still grieving the horror of Bondi. We need to ensure that what follows leads us towards unity, justice and a stronger democracy for all of us.
The Commissioner, the Honourable Virginia Bell AC SC, has made clear that the Royal Commission wants to hear from Jewish Australians about their experiences of antisemitism and its impact on their daily lives.
The Royal Commission is currently receiving submissions. If we want its findings to benefit all of us, it is crucial that the Royal Commission hears from a wide range of Jewish voices. We encourage all Jewish Council members to consider making an individual submission.
This post will guide you through the process of making a submission and answer some common questions.
The Jewish Council is hosting a members-only webinar briefing on Monday 6pm to provide general information and answer your questions about the Royal Commission. Find out more and register for the webinar using the button below:
1. What is the Royal Commission about?
The Royal Commission will focus on both the Bondi massacre and antisemitism in Australia more broadly. The Royal Commission can only consider matters that fall within its terms of reference, so it’s important that you read those before making a submission.
Broadly speaking, the Royal Commission will examine how antisemitism appears across Australian society and institutions, how widespread it is, and what is driving it. It will also review how governments currently respond to antisemitism and will identify where and how those responses could be improved.
A major focus will be the real-world impact of antisemitism on Jewish Australians, including effects on safety, daily life, and physical and mental wellbeing.
At the opening hearing, Commissioner Bell emphasised that the Royal Commission wants to hear directly from “Jewish Australians about their own lived and living experiences of antisemitism”.
Commissioner Bell noted that the Royal Commission will apply the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism. However, she also made clear that criticism of the Israeli government’s policies and actions is not, of itself, antisemitic, and that context matters when assessing whether conduct is antisemitic.
2. Who can make a submission?
Anyone who has experienced antisemitism, or has a valuable perspective on its causes and what is necessary to combat it, is encouraged to make a submission. You do not need to be representing an organisation or have legal or policy expertise to make a valuable contribution.
3. What can you cover in your submission?
The Royal Commission has invited the Jewish Council of Australia, as well as any of our members or affiliates, to share information relevant to its terms of reference.
Your submission could cover incidents of antisemitism you have experienced or witnessed, your perspective about what is behind the rise of antisemitism, or your views on how it can be addressed by government, institutions or society more broadly.
It is important that your submission is in your own words and includes as much detail as you can.
In addition to information about experiences of antisemitism, the Royal Commission is also seeking information about the impact of antisemitism on people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing, especially following 7 October 2023 and 14 December 2025.
The Royal Commission has told us that it is particularly interested in hearing about any lived experiences of antisemitism connected with your involvement in the Jewish Council and related groups, including threatening or antisemitic communications such as emails, calls, post, or other messages. When describing particular incidents, it is important that you are precise about the circumstances and impacts of what you experienced or witnessed. You may wish to attach supporting material such as emails, screenshots, videos, or complaint reports about the incidents.
The Royal Commission has indicated that it is interested in any suggestions for practical improvements that could better support the Jewish Council’s operations and its engagement with the broader Jewish and Australian communities. It is also interested in whether people have had to put in place protective security arrangements in connection with their involvement in the Jewish Council or related groups.
4. Can my submission be confidential?
Yes. Submissions can be confidential, and you will not be compelled to provide evidence at the Royal Commission’s hearings if you do not wish to do so. In her opening address, Commissioner Bell said that making a submission does not commit someone to giving public evidence and that no one would be pressured to do so.
Make sure you select your preference when completing the form (under Section 3 ‘Publication and use of submission’).
5. What are the key dates?
The Royal Commission is currently accepting submissions until the end of May. However, it has encouraged people to make submissions as early as possible, because they will help shape the inquiry as it proceeds.
The Royal Commission is required to deliver an interim report by 30 April 2026, focused on investigations into potential security and intelligence failures related to the Bondi attack. Its final report is due by 14 December 2026.
We encourage members to make a submission as soon as possible.
6. How do I make a submission?
You can make a submission using the Royal Commission’s online form or by emailing your submission to [email protected].
If you are having issues with the online form, please email [email protected].
Before starting, make sure you read the instructions on the website carefully. The Royal Commission notes that the online form should be completed in one sitting, so you may find it helpful to draft your submission in a Word document first and then paste it into the form when you are ready to submit.
If you would like to, we encourage you to share a copy of your submission with the Jewish Council by replying to this email or sending it to [email protected].
When providing your submission to the Jewish Council, please provide it in a Word document form with your name and contact details. Please also let us know if you give the Jewish Council permission to refer to your submission in our engagement with the Royal Commission (for example, as a case study that we may refer to in our own submission).
7. Where do I go if I need support?
The Royal Commission website includes links to a range of crisis and support services that are available.
Lifeline has a dedicated service if you are having feelings of distress related to the Bondi attack.
The Jewish Council of Australia has discussion groups across Australia, and they are a good place to raise the contents of your submission before you write it. If you are not already a member of one, you can sign up here.