MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) 鈥� The head of an in Australia on Tuesday said Jewish witnesses who appeared before it are facing online harassment and bigotry and issued a condemnation.
The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion was created in response to two gunmen allegedly inspired by the Islamic State group at a Sydney Hanukkah celebration in December. Royal commissions are Australia’s highest form of public inquiry.
The commission’s head, former High Court judge Virginia Bell, said who testified about their experiences of antisemitism since public hearings began on May 4 have been subjected to online 鈥渉arassment and intimidation.鈥�
鈥淲e have received reports from a number of witnesses concerning a dramatic increase in online hate messages after they have given evidence,鈥� Bell said.
鈥淨uite what this undiluted level of hatred and bigotry directed towards members of the Jewish community is thought to benefit by those who post these remarks is lost on me,鈥� she added.
The commission was recording the 鈥渙ffensive social media posts,鈥� Bell said, and in one case the harassment has been referred to police.
鈥淭he commission has, as one of its principal objects, understanding and assessing the lived experience of antisemitism by members of the Jewish community and it is being informed by conduct of this character,鈥� she said.
The first two weeks of hearings scrutinized the nature and prevalence of antisemitism in Australia鈥檚 institutions and society.
During the first week of hearings, a 68-year-old man was charged with wearing a shirt emblazoned with a 鈥減rohibited Nazi symbol鈥� outside the commission in Sydney, a police statement.
The design appeared to incorporate a Star of David superimposed over a swastika with the slogan: 鈥淎ntisemitism. Proud to be accused. Speak up!鈥�
The commission said in a statement at the time it was 鈥渁ppalled鈥� that an 鈥渁ntisemitic shirt鈥� had been worn in its vicinity. The commission assured witnesses that safety protocols were in place around the building.
鈥淭he royal commission is determined to investigate antisemitism in Australia without fear or intimidation,鈥� the statement said.
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