Multiple social media platforms, including X, have declined to engage with the inquiry into rising hate crimes following the Bondi attacks. The Royal Commission on Anti-Semitism and Social Cohesion resumed its hearings on Monday in Sydney, marking the third block of sessions after an overwhelming response, with more than 20,000 submissions received.
The commission’s focus is sharpened following previous sessions held in May, which illuminated deficiencies in policing and intelligence processes prior to the Bondi Beach terrorist attack in December 2025. Much of the earlier hearings were conducted in secrecy due to national security concerns.
Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) previously reported an “escalation” in anti-Semitism, citing a notable spike with approximately 166 crime reports since December 2024. The growing prevalence of anti-Semitic sentiment is now under scrutiny again, particularly concerning its propagation via social media.
Social media platforms are being blamed for rising anti-Semitism and hate in the community. Picture: NewsWire / Aaron Francis
As the inquiry progressed, the emphasis has shifted to the pervasive nature of anti-Semitism online. Counsel assisting Richard Lancaster SC stated, “It has become increasingly apparent that the online environment and social media platforms, in particular, are perhaps the most significant vector for the spread of anti-Semitism and hate in the community.”
While many companies such as Google, Meta, LinkedIn, and TikTok have cooperated with the commission, others have been notably unresponsive. Notably absent from this conversation are X Corp and Telegram, alongside limited engagement from Reddit and Twitch.
‘I do not answer to Australian bureaucrats’
Lancaster highlighted that Gab Social, which labels itself as “the home of free speech,” responded to inquiries with hostility. An alleged lawyer for Gab made it clear that the platform, being American, would not comply with what they termed “Australian bureaucrats,” underscoring a complex intersection between nationalism and digital freedom.
The inquiry was set up in the wake of the Bondi attack. Picture: NewsWire / Monique Harmer
Concerns have been raised regarding the normalization of intolerance in both the online and offline environments. Mike Burgess, Director-General of Security, articulated a critical viewpoint: “When intolerance is tolerated, and violent language and acts are left unchecked, they become normalised.”
The commission plans to hear testimonies from notable figures in the Australian Jewish community, including Arsen Ostrovsky, who faced targeted disinformation campaigns. Additionally, the inquiry will scrutinize the traditional media’s role in covering the ongoing Middle East conflict.
The commission’s final report is slated for delivery in December, coinciding with the anniversary of the Bondi attack. As discussions on anti-Semitism intensify, the outcomes of this inquiry may significantly shape Australia’s approach to managing hate speech and societal cohesion.
More updates will follow.
