Submission: Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion

Amnesty International Australia has made a submission to the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.

Amnesty stands against antisemitism, and all forms of racism and discrimination. Antisemitism in all its forms is a pernicious violation of human dignity and a violation of human rights.

At its core, antisemitism is racism; discrimination, stereotypical discourse and hostility directed at Jewish people, or people perceived to be Jewish, and/or their property, community or religious institutions, because of their identity, beliefs or heritage. It has manifested historically in exclusion, violence and genocide, most horrifically in the Holocaust, and persists today around the world, in both overt acts and coded rhetoric.

To uphold the universality of human rights, we must identify and condemn antisemitism wherever and whenever it occurs. All people have a right to live free from discrimination and violence.

The horrific antisemitic attack at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025, which killed 15 people and injured 40 others, followed years of hate crimes on the Jewish community. The Jewish community in Australia have been severely impacted by this attack as well as increasing antisemitism in the community, and the Royal Commission presents an opportunity for their voices and stories to be heard.

The rise in antisemitism has occurred alongside increasing racism, vilification and hostility against Muslim, Arab and Palestinian communities, as well as other racialised and marginalised groups in Australia. Responses to antisemitism can and should strengthen protections against all forms of racism and discrimination, rather than unnecessarily restricting some human rights.

The Bondi attack highlights the pressing need for the Australian government to address hate crimes and racism in the broader community. International human rights law establishes the duty of states to protect all communities from discrimination, including discriminatory violence.

Governments must act effectively on antisemitism, and all forms of racism, while complying with their obligations under international human rights law to protect other human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people who take injustice personally. We are campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all - and we can only do it with your support.

Act now or learn more about our human rights work.