Australia to launch anti-Semitism inquiry after Bondi shooting

Following a shooting in Bondi Beach, Australia, in December 2025 that resulted in 15 deaths, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the launch of a royal commission. The inquiry, announced on January 8, 2026, will focus on anti-Semitism and social cohesion within the country. The purpose of the commission is to investigate the prevalence and causes of anti-Semitism and to explore ways to promote greater social harmony in Australia. The inquiry aims to provide recommendations to the government on how to address these issues effectively.

Following the Bondi beach attack, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced a federal royal commission into antisemitism. This decision reverses the government's initial resistance to a broad national inquiry. The commission will investigate four key areas: the prevalence of antisemitism, law enforcement responses to antisemitism, the circumstances of the Bondi attack, and methods for strengthening social cohesion. The inquiry aims to understand the current state of antisemitism in Australia and improve responses to it. The timing of the announcement follows public pressure in the wake of the Bondi attack.