Open Letter Sees 100+ Public Figures Call For Bondi Royal Commission

More than 100 Australian business leaders and public figures have issued a call for a commonwealth royal commission into antisemitism following the December 14 Bondi terror attack.

Published by multiple media outlets on Friday, the open letter has been signed by figures including former Reserve Bank of Australia governors Philip Lowe and Glenn Stevens, University of Sydney chancellor David Thodey, billionaire James Packer, and politicians such as Josh Frydenberg.

The letter calls for an end to “the unprecedented harassment, intimidation and violence” they say the Jewish community has faced since October 7, 2023 when Hamas killed over 1,000 Israelis and took 251 hostage, also marking the start of Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

“As business leaders and proud Australians committed to upholding our values of tolerance and mutual respect, we recognise the need for clear answers as to how the Bondi massacre could occur,” it reads.

“And for practical solutions to restore social cohesion and protect the safety of all Australians. This is a national crisis, which requires a national response.”

It comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese continues to reject demands for a commission, despite pressure from Jewish community leaders and the family members of some of the 15 killed in the Bondi attack.

Currently, the government has committed to a review into the responses of law enforcement and intelligence agencies, headed by former Asio boss Dennis Richardson.

Albanese says “actual experts” didn’t advise a commission

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference are also calling for more action, lending their support to a wider, national inquiry into antisemitism, although neglected to specify if this was through the framework of a royal commission.

“It is only by shining a light into the dark corners of our society … that we can hope to unmask the antisemitism which might otherwise go unseen, unacknowledged and unaddressed,” the group said in their own letter, also published on Friday.

“For that reason, alongside the Richardson review, some form of wider, national inquiry with sufficient authority and resourcing which can probe into the deeper issues which lie at the heart of antisemitism is needed.”

Albanese said on Thursday that the proposed investigation would be completed by April, whereas a royal commission would take years to deliver findings, adding that “actual experts” had advised him to hold a departmental review, including Richardson and other heads of security authorities.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has announced a state-level royal commission into the attack, which the federal government has confirmed will have the cooperation of federal agencies.