Anti-Semitism probe set to examine incendiary protests

The hearings are designed to identify opportunities to address anti-Semitism and social cohesion through policing of protests in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.

''The right to engage in peaceful protest is a fundamental attribute of democratic life,'' Commissioner Virginia Bell said.

''The commission's focus in this hearing block will be on whether there are opportunities to improve the way police respond to anti-Semitic conduct in protest settings.''

A rally held on October 9, 2023, outside the Sydney Opera House and a 2025 gathering of Australia's most notorious neo-Nazi group at the NSW parliament are expected to be of particular interest to the commissioner.

Hundreds gathered on the Opera House forecourt after the building was illuminated in white and blue in solidarity with Israel following Hamas' attack on that country.

The crowds allegedly yelled offensive chants including ''f*** the Jews'', as clips of the protest sparked widespread condemnation.

Two years later, as Israel's retaliation in the Middle East continued, about 60 men clad in black and associated with the National Socialist Network stood outside NSW Parliament.

The men displayed a banner reading: ''Abolish the Jewish lobby''.

The commissioner will also hear evidence on the democratic function of protests in general, hateful conduct occurring within the context of protests, and police responses.

The commission has heard from Jewish professionals across government agencies, schools and arts institutions.

One Jewish sculptor said she felt the arts sector had been ''radicalised'' by a Marxist-Socialist ideology in the past six decades.

"They divide people into oppressors and the oppressed. And if you're in a category of the oppressor, any violence, any harassment, any bullying is by all means acceptable," Nina Sanadze said.

Another witness spoke of the two sides of the Australian comedy scene, which he said could be an open community, or a place of isolation, harassment and bigotry.

Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism Jillian Segal raised concerns that Jewish artists are unfairly excluded from public creative grants due to anti-Semitism.