Andrew L. Urban.
I made my submission to the Royal Commission on February 25, 2026. The main thrust of it is that the socio-political environment in Australia which tolerated antisemitic demonstrations and riots was in large part stimulated by the Labor government itself, through its pro forma responses after October 7 and ongoing. I included dates and events. I showed how the continued grossly disrespectful attitude to Israel provided an implied permission structure for what followed.
I maintain that it was the cumulative effect of demeaning and the mimicking of concerns for Israel that fanned the flames of Jew hatred in Australia, from the first eruption at the Opera House to the carnage at Bondi. And beyond.
THAT is what’s missing from this Royal Commission’s field of interest. And that is explained by the underlying servitude to political expediency. Hamstrung by what appears to be the silken threads of political allegiance, the Commission has kept its head inside its tortoise-like shell.
Through this prism, it is understandable why neither the Prime Miniter nor any other ministers have been invited to appear – and why those who might make strong arguments sharing my view – such as Josh Frydenberg – were also missing from the witness list.
A report listing what happened and how the impacts on the Jewish community would not be sufficient: what the Commission’s report so desperately needs is a road map of how nasty manifestations of antisemitism may be discouraged and prevented, driven by example from the Prime Minister down. It should recommend where the root of the hatred can be identified and the weed killer of official disgust applied, leading the public view by example.
By shutting its ears to the pleas of serious observers and would-be participants to keep its doors open (rather longer than the four days now announced) to hear further significant evidence, the Royal Commission has brought disrepute upon itself. And upon the Prime Minister. It will go down in history as a betrayal of Australia’s once honourable standing in the free world.