Key Takeaways
- A Jewish NSW Health worker described feeling “paralysed with fear” after two nurses allegedly threatened Israeli patients, leading her to consider cancelling a long‑awaited knee surgery.
- She reported ongoing subtle antisemitic remarks at work, a manager’s request to remove host‑freeing posters, and took extraordinary precautions (family presence, hidden religion on records, kosher meals from family) to feel safe during hospitalization.
- The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion heard testimony from a Jewish café owner whose Bondi deli was destroyed in an alleged arson attack linked by ASIO to the Iranian regime, devastating a communal hub for the local Jewish community.
- Activist Stephanie Cunio expressed feeling “cancelled” for not receiving the same public support after the October 7 2023 Hamas attack that she did after the Bondi terror shooting, highlighting a perceived double standard in solidarity.
- Former Age editor Michael Gawenda criticised Australian media for inadequate coverage of antisemitism’s impact on Jewish communities and stressed the importance of the commission’s testimonies.
- A man wearing a swastika‑emblazoned T‑shirt was moved on by police outside the commission and later charged with offensive conduct and displaying a prohibited Nazi symbol.
- The inquiry, triggered by the December 14 2025 Bondi Hanukkah attack that killed 15 people, continues to collect personal accounts of antisemitism in schools, workplaces, and broader society.
Personal Fear in a Healthcare Setting
A Jewish NSW Health worker, identified only by the pseudonym AAV, testified that the aftermath of two nurses allegedly producing a video threatening Israeli patients left her “paralysed with fear.” She had been waiting 15 months for knee surgery and seriously contemplated cancelling the procedure after imagining numerous ways she might be harmed while under anaesthesia. To mitigate her anxiety, she requested that a family member be present during the operation, that her religion be omitted from her health record, and that a Jewish doctor oversee the surgery. Her sons also brought kosher meals from home instead of ordering hospital food, an effort to conceal her Jewish identity in a clinical environment she perceived as hostile.
Workplace Harassment and Subtle Antisemitism
AAV described a pattern of “under the breath” insults and offensive comments from colleagues following the October 7 2023 Hamas attack, in which 1,200 Israelis were killed. She recounted being told, “shame on you” and “you must be really ashamed to belong to a group of child killers” as she walked through clinic corridors. The worker’s manager asked her to remove posters she had placed on her desk calling for the release of Israeli hostages, citing the “likelihood of [the images] upsetting or offending other people in the workplace.” These incidents contributed to a climate where she felt compelled to hide her identity to avoid further hostility.
Impact of the Bondi Café Fire
Grandmother Judith Lewis recounted the “devastating” loss of Lewis’ Continental Kitchen, a Bondi café she founded in 1970 with her husband that offered kosher takeaway options. The deli was destroyed in an October 2024 fire; a man has since been charged with damaging property by fire/explosion. ASIO later stated it believed the Iranian regime was behind the incident. Lewis emphasized that the café served as a communal centre for the Jewish community, and its closure removed a vital space where friends gathered and kosher food was readily available. She lamented that the loss “really has restricted the flexibility for people to eat like normal, un‑Jewish people,” underscoring the cultural and social void left by the attack.
Feeling “Cancelled” in Activist Circles
Stephanie Cunio, a long‑time trade union and climate justice advocate, told the commission that while she received an outpouring of support after the Bondi terror shooting, the response was markedly different after the October 7 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. She described the disparity as a “double‑edged sword,” noting that solidarity was welcomed after the Bondi incident but absent when Israeli lives were lost. Cunio said she feared being “cancelled” unless she publicly denounced her ties to Israel, observing that the word “Israel” had become a demonised term in certain circles. Despite this, she affirmed her personal connection to the country’s beauty and its people, urging a more balanced and empathetic discourse.
Media Coverage Critique
Former Age editor Michael Gawenda voiced concern over how Australian media outlets have reported on antisemitism. He questioned why the ABC and other organisations had not adequately covered the impact of antisemitism on Jewish communities, rejecting the excuse of insufficient staffing. Gawenda argued that telling these personal stories at the Royal Commission is essential to counterbalance media neglect and to foster a broader understanding of the lived experiences of Jewish Australians amid rising hostility.
Public Display of Hate Symbols
During the commission’s hearings, a 68‑year‑old man wearing a T‑shirt emblazoned with a swastika was initially moved on by police outside the venue for displaying an offensive slogan. He was later charged with behaving in an offensive manner in/near a public place or school and causing a prohibited Nazi symbol to be displayed in public. The incident underscored that extremist symbols continue to appear in public spaces, even amid efforts to address antisemitism through formal inquiries.
Broader Context of the Inquiry
The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion was convened after the December 14 2025 Bondi Hanukkah attack that claimed 15 lives. Over the past week, dozens of individuals have appeared before the commission to share experiences of antisemitism in schools, workplaces, and the wider community. Testimonies have ranged from healthcare workers fearing for their safety, to business owners losing communal hubs, to activists feeling isolated in their advocacy. The commission’s closed‑door sessions have allowed sensitive evidence to be presented without public reporting, ensuring that witnesses can speak freely while protecting their identities.
Conclusion
The collected narratives paint a stark picture of antisemitism permeating various facets of Australian life—from subtle workplace slurs and threats in medical settings to violent attacks on cultural institutions and public displays of hate symbols. Personal accounts of fear, loss, and feeling “cancelled” reveal the deep emotional toll on Jewish individuals and communities. The commission’s work, bolstered by critiques of media coverage and calls for precise documentation, aims to illuminate these experiences and inform policy responses that promote safety, inclusion, and social cohesion for all Australians.