ECAJ statement on Government refusing Royal Commission in wake of Bondi attack

The Executive Council of Aus­trali­an Jewry (ECAJ), the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, together with the Jewish roof organ­isa­tions in each State and Territory, call for a Federal Royal Com­mis­sion into antisemitism.

The data that the ECAJ collates, shows that antisemitic incidents in this country have increased expo­nen­tially from pre‑7 October 2023 levels.

Those incidents have become increas­ingly violent, cul­min­at­ing in the attack at Bondi Beach.

Over the last two years, we have issued repeated warnings to gov­ern­ment about increas­ing Jew hatred in this country, and the social per­missive­ness that has been allowed to grow resulting in further attacks.

It is critical that gov­ern­ment and society under­stand the sources of antisemitism espe­cially in the last two years, and how Australia arrived at its present position where hatred of one ethnic and religious minority has become so extraordin­ar­ily rampant.

Only a Federal Royal Com­mis­sion encom­passing the nation as a whole, would provide that process.

We have watched with increas­ing dismay as the Federal Gov­ern­ment has resisted calls from all sectors of society for a Federal Royal Com­mis­sion.

We believe that as many have already noted, the arguments against such a Royal Com­mis­sion not only are uncon­vin­cing and mis­con­ceived, but perhaps more import­antly deny the urgent need to tackle the evil of antisemitism in the interests of unity and social cohesion in Australia.

We have been heartened by the out­pour­ing of support from the Aus­trali­an public and, and the calls from so many sectors of society, for a Federal Royal Com­mis­sion. Aus­trali­ans are demanding account­ab­il­ity and healing. It is time for the Federal Gov­ern­ment to listen to the people.

Daniel Aghion KC
President, Executive Council of Aus­trali­an Jewry

David Ossip
President, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies

Athol Morris
President, ACT Jewish Community

Philip Zajac
President, Jewish Community Council of Victoria

Annetay Henderson-Sapir
President, Jewish Community Council of South Australia

Micheal Levitt AM
President, Jewish Community Council of Western Australia

Peter Kirby
President, Hobart Hebrew Con­greg­a­tion

Vida Goodvach
President, Northern Territory Jewish Community Asso­ci­ation

Jason Steinberg
President, Queens­land Jewish Board of Deputies