the royal commission debate
The Bondi Massacre and the Question of a National Royal Commission The horrific events at Bondi on December 14, 2025—where a targeted attack on a Hanukkah celebration left 15 people dead—have left Australia in a state of profound grief and searching for answers. While the NSW government has moved to establish a state-level inquiry, a fierce political battle is raging in Canberra. The victims' families, Jewish community leaders, and even a growing coalition of former Labor MPs are demanding a Commonwealth Royal Commission. Yet, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Labor government have, so far, stood firm in their refusal. Here is an analysis of why this specific massacre is being linked to systemic antisemitism and the reasons behind the federal government's controversial stance. The Link to Antisemitism: Not a "Lone Wolf" Incident Unlike the 2024 Bondi Junction stabbings, which police attributed to mental health issues without ideological motive, ...