A Jewish woman from Sydney has told the antisemitism royal commission that her family's daily life has been profoundly altered by a climate of fear. Dina, whose surname has been withheld, described how she and her three children have internalized a new reality where anti-Jewish hatred is ever-present.
Children Internalize Antisemitism
Dina recounted that her children are acutely aware of the threats around them. 'They hear antisemitism around them all the time … they see the stickers, they see the graffiti, they know about Bondi. It’s become part of their psyche,' she said. The most harrowing moment came when her eight-year-old daughter broke down in tears, saying, 'Now when I come to Bondi, I think about dying.'
A Narrow Escape
In a chilling testimony, Dina said, 'They came to kill us – we just weren't there.' This remark was a reference to the Bondi Junction stabbing attack in April 2024, which targeted a shopping center and left six people dead. Dina and her family had been regular visitors to the area but were not present on that day.
Broader Concerns
The witness also expressed a deep sense of historical repetition. 'We feel like history is repeating,' she said, alluding to past persecutions of Jewish communities. Her testimony came on the first day of the royal commission, which is investigating antisemitism and social cohesion in Australia.
Dina's story is one of several shared during the inquiry, highlighting the heightened sense of danger among Jewish Australians. The commission is expected to hear from many more witnesses over the coming weeks as it examines the rise in antisemitic incidents and their impact on community life.
