Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion after Bondi terror attack
Consensus Summary
The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion concluded after 60 days of public hearings, investigating the rise of antisemitism in Australia following the Bondi terror attack on December 14, 2025, which killed 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration. Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, who lost his son-in-law Rabbi Eli Schlanger in the attack, was the final witness among 340 (or more than 300, per Guardian) witnesses. The commission received over 20,000 submissions and 550,000 documents, with an interim report in April highlighting warnings from Sydney’s Jewish community about a high threat of an attack at the Chanukah by the Sea festival. The commission also addressed the conflation of Jewish identity with Israel, antisemitism on university campuses, and the impact of the 2023 Hamas attacks on social cohesion. Commissioner Virginia Bell requested the final report be delivered by December 18, 2026, to avoid conflict with the anniversary of the attack.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion held public hearings for 60 days.
- Rabbi Yehoram Ulman was the last of 340 witnesses to testify at the royal commission.
- The royal commission was established following the Bondi terror attack on December 14, 2025.
- 15 people were killed in the Bondi terror attack.
- Rabbi Eli Schlanger was one of the victims of the Bondi terror attack, and his funeral was one of 10 victims' funerals presided over by Rabbi Ulman.
- The attack occurred during a Hanukkah celebration on December 14, 2025.
- More than 20,000 submissions were made to the royal commission.
- Rabbi Ulman’s then-two-month-old grandson (son of Rabbi Eli Schlanger) was injured in the attack.
- The royal commission’s interim report in April found that Sydney’s Jewish community had warned police of a high threat of an attack at the Chanukah by the Sea festival.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Commissioner Virginia Bell requested her final report and recommendations be delivered by December 18, 2026 instead of the initial December 14 due date to avoid distracting from the anniversary of the attack.
- 550,000 documents were received in response to notices to produce.
- The royal commission adjourned after 60 days of public hearings.
- Hundreds of floral tributes were left outside Bondi Pavilion in memory of the 15 people killed.
- Rabbi Ulman presided over 10 funerals in three days after the attack.
- The royal commission heard from more than 300 witnesses across four months of public hearings.
- The royal commission’s interim report found no gap in existing laws that could have prevented the shooting but called for greater coordination of policing at Jewish festivals and events.
- The royal commission warned that the war between the US and Israel against Iran was likely to have increased the risk of attacks on the Australian Jewish community.
- The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (Apan) was initially refused leave to appear before the commission in Hearing Block 2 but was later granted leave.
- The royal commission heard evidence about antisemitism on Australian university campuses, including the occupation of a Jewish professor’s office.
- The royal commission heard evidence about the conflation of Jewish identity with the state of Israel, with concerns raised across the political spectrum.
- The royal commission heard from Sandy Kouroupidis of the Faith Communities Council of Victoria about the challenges in promoting harmony between Muslim and Jewish communities after the 2023 Hamas attacks and the Bondi massacre.
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- ABC states there were 340 witnesses, while the Guardian states there were more than 300 witnesses.
- The Guardian mentions the Bondi attack occurred on December last year, while ABC specifies December 14, 2025.
- The Guardian refers to the attack as the Bondi terrorist attack of December last year, while ABC specifies it as the Bondi Beach terror attack on December 14, 2025.
Source Articles
Rabbi's moving tribute to son-in-law as antisemitism royal commission ends
After more than 60 days of public hearings, the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has come to an emotional close.
Four months of grief, tension and pain: key moments from the antisemitism royal commission
Witnesses at public hearings spoke of safety fears before and after Bondi attack, fraying community bonds and tension over the state of Israel Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast In the days after the Bondi attack, Rabbi Yehoram Ulman presided over 10 funerals in three days. The first was that of his son-in-law, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, the father of his five grandchildren. On the day of Schlanger’s funeral, his community made a decision. Continue reading...
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