Antisemitism is likely to persist for years unless a commission is established, warns a former council member from Christchurch.
In a striking statement, Raf Manji, who previously served on the Christchurch City Council and worked with victims during the investigation into the mass shootings targeting the city’s Muslim community, expressed his astonishment that the Australian government has not initiated a federal commission to address the recent Bondi attack. He emphasized that such a commission is "absolutely critical" to combating antisemitism in Australia.
This topic becomes even more contentious when considering statements made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke during a press briefing. They argued that launching a federal royal commission could threaten social cohesion and would take too long to provide results. However, Manji firmly disagreed, stating, "I’ve been following the discussions surrounding a proposed royal commission, which I fully support. It surprises me that the government has not taken this step yet."
He continued, emphasizing the necessity of public reassurance following incidents like the Bondi attack. Manji noted, "It is essential for the affected community to be heard and acknowledged; if this doesn’t happen, the issue will linger for many years."
Manji's experience stems from his time as a councillor during the March 2019 massacre carried out by Australian Brenton Tarrant, resulting in the deaths of 51 people and injuring 89 others at a mosque and an Islamic center. The tragic event was investigated by a royal commission, which published its findings in 2020. Reflecting on the experience, he said, "It was a challenging process filled with pain, suffering, and anxiety, but ultimately, it was invaluable. People often feel safer when they can share their experiences."
He pointed out the parallels between Islamophobia in Australia and the antisemitism that has surfaced recently, stating, "I’ve noticed substantial similarities between the two issues."
Following an open letter released on Monday morning, signed by the families of 17 victims from the Bondi attack, calling for a royal commission, Minister Burke responded by asserting that such an inquiry could amplify "some of the worst statements and worst voices" regarding antisemitism.
Instead, the government proposed a review of intelligence agencies and law enforcement operations, led by Dennis Richardson, a former department head and ambassador. Additionally, Labor plans to reform gun regulations, implement a national buyback scheme, strengthen hate speech laws, and act on recommendations from Jillian Segal’s report on antisemitism, presented to the government six months ago.
In a related development, NSW Premier Chris Minns announced a state-level royal commission into the Bondi attack, assuring cooperation from the federal government and its agencies. Critics of the NSW commission argue that its limited jurisdiction prevents it from compelling evidence from agencies outside its scope. This criticism comes from a coalition that includes over 130 judges and senior legal figures, former Governor-General Peter Cosgrove, and former High Court Chief Justice Robert French, along with victims’ families and several Jewish organizations.
Opposition Leader Sussan Ley voiced concerns that the Jewish community feels "disrespected" by Albanese’s administration, claiming that the Prime Minister has "chosen to ignore" their demands. She suggested that the review recently announced could easily be incorporated into the necessary Commonwealth royal commission, potentially leading to swift interim recommendations.
In a response on Tuesday morning, Burke acknowledged that the Jewish community wants their experiences and traumas understood but insisted that he had yet to find anyone willing to promote antisemitic views, suggesting this would be a direct consequence of a royal commission. He stated, "They are certainly asking for their trauma to be acknowledged, seeking answers, solutions, and accountability."
Burke elaborated, reflecting on the extraordinary tragedy of the recent massacre on Australian soil, saying, "People react to such horrific events and logically think it necessitates a significant response. While that is a natural reaction, we must consider whether that approach truly serves national security. There are genuine risks that it could exacerbate social tensions and give platforms to dangerous voices. That’s why the government has opted for an alternative course of action."
However, James Paterson, the opposition’s finance spokesperson, dismissed Burke’s reasoning, arguing that a federal inquiry would not simply be an open forum for hate speech, asserting that a royal commission could control who is allowed to testify and what submissions would be accepted.
