Short antisemitism royal commission extension sought to avoid 'distraction'

The head of the Jewish community that was targeted in the Bondi Beach terror attack will be one of the last witnesses to front the royal commission on antisemitism as the inquiry marks its final day of public hearings.

About 300 witnesses have given evidence at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, with more than 20,000 submissions received.

Headed by Commissioner Virginia Bell SC, the inquiry was called to examine the circumstances around the Bondi Beach terror attack, in which 15 people were killed during a Hanukkah celebration on December 14, 2025.

Commissioner Bell is expected to issue a closing address on Wednesday morning before the inquiry hears from witnesses such as Chabad of Bondi director Rabbi Yehoram Ulman.

Rabbi Ulman's son-in-law Rabbi Eli Schlanger was among those who died in last year's shooting.

Holocaust survivor Janina 'Nina' Bassat has been called to appear, with the organiser of a paddle out to honour Bondi Beach shooting victims also set to give evidence.

Multicultural NSW CEO Joseph La Posta will discuss the One Mitzvah for Bondi initiative, which encouraged people to take part in simple acts of kindness after the terror attack.

The inquiry will also hear from Amar Singh, whose organisation Turbans for Australia served food to the community and first responders affected by the shooting.

The final group of witnesses has largely given evidence about the work being done to foster social cohesion in communities, highlighting the role of education, sport and arts and culture in such efforts.

Previous hearing blocks have examined the lived experiences of Jewish Australians.

The inquiry has spent most of its time in Sydney, with public hearings also held in Melbourne.

Commission staff have visited Jewish communities in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide, with Commissioner Bell earlier this year extending an invitation to meet with families of those killed in the terror attack.

Attention turns to final report

After Wednesday, the commission will turn to drafting the final report and recommendations, which are due before the first anniversary of the terror attack.

Some have suggested the inquiry be extended, with Liberal MP Julian Leeser saying the short timeline had "imposed severe constraints" on the commission's capacity to examine antisemitism in Australia, and that "critical players" had gone unheard.

Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, told ABC News Breakfast he wanted the royal commission to do what it could to prevent "further tragic catastrophes" and hatred directed at the Jewish community.

He said the inquiry received 20,000 written submissions, procured documents, and held public and private hearings.

"A lot of evidence has come forward and I feel there is a huge body of work that is now before the commission to reconcile this evidence," he said.

"Now it's over to the commission. The people have spoken.

"I think quite critically a lot of the ordinary members of the Jewish community who don't have prominent platforms have been able to tell their stories and they've been heard loud and clear and now we wait with bated breath for the outcomes of this commission."

Mr Ryvchin said the community was "not solely relying on the commission to cure the illness of society".

Prominent Jewish Australian and former treasurer Josh Frydenberg was a key advocate for the royal commission, and revealed in a column published by The Australian that he had not been called as a witness.

Mr Frydenberg said he had indicated to the commission his willingness to appear, and had made a submission to the inquiry.

The commission also heard a number of times from the Dor Foundation, an organisation established by Mr Frydenberg to combat antisemitism.

Commissioner Bell has previously stated her intention to "conduct the inquiry as expeditiously as possible" and planned to deliver her report "no later than" December 14, 2026.

"I regard the delivery of my report on or before the first anniversary as a matter of critical importance," she said in her opening address to the inquiry.