Royal Commission Investigates Antisemitism and Social Unity in Australia

May 11, 2026, 10:41
AustraliaPolitics

Introduction

The Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has held public hearings in Sydney to examine how common anti-Jewish sentiment is and how it affects Australian society.

Main Body

The hearings focused on the link between political beliefs and personal safety. Musicians Deborah Conway and Joshua Moshe testified that expressing Zionist beliefs has led to professional problems. Ms. Conway reported losing performance opportunities and facing protests, while Mr. Moshe explained how his business and professional partnerships suffered after private messages were leaked. These stories suggest that supporting Israel's right to exist is often confused with supporting government policy, which leads to financial and social consequences for individuals. Furthermore, evidence showed that antisemitism is spreading in schools and online. A young person testified about being harassed by peers on the Discord platform using old antisemitic stereotypes. The commission also looked at the psychological effects of violence, such as the injuries Rabbi Menachem Dadon's daughter suffered during a Hanukkah event. Additionally, Rabbi Daniel Rabin noted that more people are asking if it is still safe to live in Australia, which suggests that social stability is decreasing. Finally, experts Tahli Blicblau and Julie Nathan provided frameworks to help identify antisemitism. Ms. Blicblau emphasized that while antisemitism existed before October 7, 2023, it has increased rapidly since then. Ms. Nathan, from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, explained the difference between criticizing the Israeli government and antisemitism. She asserted that using Nazi comparisons or traditional anti-Jewish tropes is a clear sign of antisemitism, especially when used to target Jewish people or institutions.

Conclusion

The commission is continuing to collect evidence to understand the scale of antisemitism in Australia and to see if current efforts to maintain social unity are working.

Learning

⚡ The 'B2 Jump': Moving from Basic to Precise

At an A2 level, you might say: "People are mean to Jewish people in schools." At a B2 level, we use Complex Cause-and-Effect phrasing to show how one thing leads to another.

🔍 The Linguistic Pattern: "X leads to Y"

In the text, we see this high-level structure:

"...expressing Zionist beliefs has led to professional problems."

Why this is B2: Instead of using simple words like "and then" or "so," B2 speakers use verbs like lead to, result in, or cause to create a professional bridge between an action and its consequence.

🛠️ How to upgrade your sentences

A2 (Basic)B2 (Precise)The Logic
It is raining, so the game stopped.The rain led to the cancellation of the game.Action →\rightarrow Result
He didn't study and he failed.A lack of study resulted in a failing grade.Absence →\rightarrow Consequence
I was late and my boss was angry.My tardiness caused a conflict with my manager.Behavior →\rightarrow Reaction

💡 Pro Tip: The 'Abstract' Subject

Notice that in the B2 version, the subject isn't always a person. It is often an idea or a situation:

  • "Expressing beliefs" (Action) →\rightarrow led to →\rightarrow "professional problems" (Result).

Try this shift: Stop starting every sentence with "I" or "He." Start with the situation, then use "led to" to describe the outcome. This is the fastest way to sound more academic and fluent.

Vocabulary Learning

commission (n.)
A group of people officially appointed to investigate or decide on a particular issue.
Example:The Royal Commission was tasked to investigate antisemitism in Australia.
hearings (n.)
Public meetings where witnesses give evidence and experts give opinions.
Example:The hearings in Sydney attracted many community members.
examine (v.)
To look at something closely in order to understand it better.
Example:The commission will examine how anti‑Jewish sentiment affects society.
sentiment (n.)
A feeling or opinion about something.
Example:Negative sentiment towards a group can lead to discrimination.
affect (v.)
To influence or change something.
Example:The protests may affect the musician’s career.
society (n.)
The community of people living in a particular area.
Example:Australia’s society is diverse and multicultural.
link (n.)
A connection or relationship between two things.
Example:There is a link between political beliefs and personal safety.
beliefs (n.)
Ideas or convictions that someone accepts as true.
Example:Musicians expressed their Zionist beliefs during the hearings.
personal (adj.)
Relating to an individual rather than to a group or institution.
Example:Personal safety can be threatened by hate speech.
safety (n.)
The state of being protected from danger or harm.
Example:The hearings focused on how political beliefs affect personal safety.
musicians (n.)
People who play musical instruments or sing professionally.
Example:Deborah Conway and Joshua Moshe are musicians who testified.
testified (v.)
To give evidence or speak in court or a public hearing.
Example:They testified about the impact of antisemitism on their careers.
expressing (v.)
To convey or show feelings, ideas, or beliefs.
Example:Expressing Zionist beliefs led to professional problems.
professional (adj.)
Relating to a job or occupation that requires special training.
Example:Professional opportunities disappeared after the protest.
protests (n.)
Public demonstrations of objection or opposition.
Example:The musician faced protests after expressing his beliefs.
partnerships (n.)
Business relationships or collaborations between people or companies.
Example:His business partnerships suffered after messages were leaked.
suffered (v.)
To experience pain, loss, or hardship.
Example:He suffered financial losses due to the controversy.
messages (n.)
Communications sent between people, often electronically.
Example:Private messages were leaked, causing further harm.
leaked (v.)
To be released or made public without permission.
Example:The leaked messages revealed sensitive information.
stories (n.)
Narratives or accounts of events or experiences.
Example:The stories highlighted the real impact of antisemitism.
suggest (v.)
To propose or imply something.
Example:These stories suggest that antisemitism is widespread.
supporting (v.)
To give help or approval to something.
Example:Supporting Israel’s right to exist is often misunderstood.
existence (n.)
The state of being real or living.
Example:The debate centers on Israel’s existence as a nation.
government (n.)
The group of people who run a country or state.
Example:Criticising the Israeli government can be a sensitive issue.
policy (n.)
A set of principles or rules that guide decisions.
Example:The policy on hate speech is still being discussed.
financial (adj.)
Relating to money or economics.
Example:Financial consequences can include loss of income.
consequences (n.)
Results or effects of an action or event.
Example:The protests had social and financial consequences.
evidence (n.)
Information or proof that shows something is true.
Example:The commission collected evidence of antisemitic incidents.
spreading (v.)
The act of increasing in amount or reach.
Example:Antisemitism is spreading in schools and online.
schools (n.)
Places where children and young people receive education.
Example:Students reported antisemitic bullying at their schools.
online (adv.)
Using the internet or digital networks.
Example:Many antisemitic messages are shared online.
harassed (v.)
To be subjected to repeated unwanted attention or intimidation.
Example:The young person was harassed by peers on Discord.
peers (n.)
People of the same age or social group.
Example:Peers can influence each other's attitudes.
platform (n.)
A medium or service where people can communicate or share content.
Example:Discord is a popular platform for online chats.
stereotypes (n.)
Oversimplified or fixed ideas about a group of people.
Example:Old antisemitic stereotypes were used in the harassment.
psychological (adj.)
Relating to the mind or mental processes.
Example:The commission studied the psychological effects of violence.
effects (n.)
The results or impacts of an action or event.
Example:The injuries had lasting psychological effects.
injuries (n.)
Physical harm or damage to the body.
Example:The daughter suffered injuries during the event.
event (n.)
A planned public or social gathering.
Example:The Hanukkah event was attended by many community members.
stability (n.)
The state of being steady or not changing quickly.
Example:Social stability is decreasing due to rising tensions.
experts (n.)
People with special knowledge or skill in a particular area.
Example:Experts provided frameworks to identify antisemitism.
frameworks (n.)
Structured plans or systems used to analyze or solve problems.
Example:The frameworks help to understand complex social issues.
identify (v.)
To recognize or determine the nature of something.
Example:The commission can identify patterns of hate speech.
emphasized (v.)
To give special importance or attention to something.
Example:She emphasized that antisemitism had increased rapidly.
increased (adj.)
Became more or larger in amount or intensity.
Example:The number of incidents increased after the event.
rapidly (adv.)
Very quickly or at a fast pace.
Example:The situation changed rapidly over a short period.
difference (n.)
The way in which two or more things are not the same.
Example:The difference between criticism and hate is subtle.
criticizing (v.)
To express disapproval or point out faults.
Example:Criticizing the government can be a political act.
comparisons (n.)
Statements that show similarities between two things.
Example:Using Nazi comparisons is a clear sign of antisemitism.
traditional (adj.)
Relating to customs or beliefs that have been passed down for a long time.
Example:Traditional anti‑Jewish tropes are still used today.
tropes (n.)
Commonly used expressions or themes, often in literature or media.
Example:Tropes can reinforce harmful stereotypes.
sign (n.)
A clear indication or evidence of something.
Example:The sign of antisemitism is often subtle.
target (v.)
To aim at or focus on someone or something.
Example:The hate speech targets Jewish people and institutions.
institutions (n.)
Established organizations or systems, such as schools or churches.
Example:Institutions can be affected by discrimination.
continuing (v.)
To keep going or persist over time.
Example:The commission is continuing to collect evidence.
collect (v.)
To gather or bring together items or information.
Example:They collect reports from victims to build a case.
scale (n.)
The size, extent, or level of something.
Example:The scale of antisemitism in Australia is still unclear.
efforts (n.)
Actions taken to achieve a goal or solve a problem.
Example:Current efforts aim to maintain social unity.
maintain (v.)
To keep something in a particular state or condition.
Example:They try to maintain unity among diverse communities.
unity (n.)
The state of being united or joined together.
Example:Social unity is essential for peace.
working (v.)
Functioning or being effective.
Example:The strategies are working to reduce hate incidents.