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NationalAntisemitism royal commission

Antisemitism royal commission: NSW police chiefs to give evidence as details around Bondi Beach shooting examined

Perry Duffin
Updated ,first published
Pinned post from 10.37am on May 26, 2026
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Police investigate after Jewish witnesses targeted by online hate

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Commissioner Virginia Bell has opened day two of this week’s hearings with disturbing news: Jewish witnesses had been intimidated by “online hate” after giving evidence.

Antisemitism royal commissioner Virginia Bell.Janie Barrett

“We have received reports from a number of witnesses concerning a dramatic increase in online hate messages,” Bell said this morning.

“The commission is keeping close eye on these instances and recording these offensive social media posts.”

At least one has been referred to the Australian Federal Police.

The commission had heard from multiple witnesses, in the first block, about their lived experiences of antisemitism.

“Quite 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,” Bell said.

“But the 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.”

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Senior cop lays out crucial question at the heart of royal commission

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The question at the heart of the royal commission is not so much the response of law enforcement, but rather how did two alleged terrorists form a plan to attack a Jewish festival without anyone knowing, a senior police officer says.

Central Metropolitan Commander Peter McKenna was questioned extensively about police briefings, risk assessments, threat levels and responses to the Bondi Beach attack on December 14, 2025.

But in his evidence, McKenna told the commission that – unless facing a specific threat – police action needed to be “commensurate with the environment” before them.

An Indian passport photo of Sajid Akram, who was shot dead in the attack.Internet

McKenna backed senior colleagues from the Eastern Suburbs Command, who had worked with local security group CSG, to design a plan for the Hanukkah festival, albeit without a written risk assessment.

‘A different world’: Senior officer says Bondi changed Australia

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The commander of Sydney’s police believes the alleged terror attack at Bondi Beach will usher in a future where heavily armed police are deployed on the streets and Jewish Australians live with the “tangible threat” of terror attacks.

Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna, commander of the Central Metropolitan Region, told the commission “Australia has changed since this horrific terrorist attack”, and changed policing with it.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna.Sitthixay Ditthavong

“I think the world’s changed for us since the 14th of December 2025,” McKenna said.

“We certainly don’t have the resources, and at that time in particular, to respond to just general threat. You bear it in mind. It’s strategic. It’s information that is useful.”

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Police couldn’t patrol Bondi with long arms without approval from highest levels

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NSW Police are not allowed to patrol public events with long arms – such as rifles – without approval from the highest levels of the force, the royal commission has heard.

Three general duties officers and an inspector were armed with service pistols at Chanukah by the Sea 2025 when two gunmen began firing with rifles and shotguns into the crowd.

Riot squad police in Sydney in August 2024.Dion Georgopoulos

The eastern suburbs commander on Tuesday told the royal commission it would not have been possible for her to authorise those officers to carry larger weapons.

“It’s not open to me. I can make requests through a number of levels,” the commander, speaking under the pseudonym AQB told the commission.

Police commander gives emotional evidence at royal commission

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The commander of Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command has emotionally told the royal commission she expected officers to remain at Chanukah By The Sea even though they were given “mobile taskings” and told in a “poorly worded” email they did not need to stay.

The commission has heard from Jewish security group CSG that police had declined entreaties to permanently station officers at the festival despite their warning of a probable risk of terror attack.

Police scour the crime scene at Bondi following the shooting.James Brickwood

“Please take a car crew or two with you and provide a [high visibility police] presence. No need to stay the entire duration, but your presence will ensure the community feel safe,” the Eastern Suburbs operations inspector told two command inspectors days before the festival.

The commander, speaking under the pseudonym ABQ, said today she believed it was only the command inspectors who were allowed to leave the event.

Operation Shelter ‘did not exist’ at time of Bondi Beach attack

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The superintendent and commander of Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command has told the royal commission that Operation Shelter did not exist at the time alleged terrorists attacked the Jewish festival at Bondi Beach.

Operation Shelter had been set up to protect Sydney’s Jewish community following the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas.

Memorial to the victims of the Bondi attack outside the Bondi Pavillion.Getty

It had become a highly visible police presence but, the royal commission heard today, it was not involved with protecting Chanukah By The Sea 2025.

Asked why, the superintendent, speaking under the pseudonym ABQ, told the commission Operation Shelter “did not exist at that time”.

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Pinned post from 10.37am on May 26, 2026

Police investigate after Jewish witnesses targeted by online hate

By

Commissioner Virginia Bell has opened day two of this week’s hearings with disturbing news: Jewish witnesses had been intimidated by “online hate” after giving evidence.

Antisemitism royal commissioner Virginia Bell.Janie Barrett

“We have received reports from a number of witnesses concerning a dramatic increase in online hate messages,” Bell said this morning.

“The commission is keeping close eye on these instances and recording these offensive social media posts.”

Senior police to face royal commission today

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NSW Police representatives are expected to appear before the royal commission today to explain what they knew in the lead-up to the terror attack at Bondi Beach.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna in October 2025.Sitthixay Ditthavong

The witness list includes:

• Witness “ABQ” (a pseudonym), superintendent and commander of Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command

• Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna, commander of the Central Metropolitan Region

• Assistant Commissioner Scott Cook, commander of the State Crime Command.

Royal commission resumes after ‘surprise attack’ evidence

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The royal commission into antisemitism resumes at 10am today in Sydney, following a day of evidence from police and intelligence bosses who were quizzed about the lead-up to the terror attack at Chanukah By The Sea, in December, that killed 15 innocent people at Bondi Beach.

Tributes left at Bondi Beach after the terror attack.Flavio Brancaleone

If you missed yesterday’s hearing, here’s what emerged:

  • NSW Police conceded it did not conduct a risk assessment for Chanukah by the Sea 2025 at Bondi Beach, where 15 people were shot dead by alleged Islamic State-linked terrorists.
  • Intelligence and law enforcement agencies said they had no information indicating an attack was imminent at Bondi Beach, with counsel assisting describing it as a “surprise attack”.
  • ASIO director-general Mike Burgess said the agency had shifted focus away from terrorism towards espionage and foreign interference, but said all threats continued to be thoroughly investigated.
  • Jewish security group, CSG, asked police to provide “static” officers at the event, warning they held grave fears of a terror attack, but NSW Police declined and instead went with “mobile taskings” to check in periodically.
  • Eleven people were shot within 29 seconds, 10 of those fatally.
  • It took seven minutes and 41 seconds before police were able to shoot dead Sajid Akram and wound his son, Naveed, who is facing charges of murder and terrorism.
  • The national terror rating was deemed “probable” and ASIO had raised fears of lone or small group actors carrying out attacks in crowded areas.
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