Bondi Hanukkah Attack Inquiry: Commissioner Warns Against Witness Harassment as Police Patrols Are Questioned

The Bondi Hanukkah attack inquiry took a serious turn this week as Royal Commissioner Virginia Bell issued a strong warning to those harassing witnesses and as scrutiny grew over the police response to the deadly December 14 incident. The hearings have revealed not only the painful experiences of Jewish Australians but also significant concerns about how authorities planned for the safety of one of the most prominent Jewish events in the country.

Royal Commissioner Issues a Strong Warning

At the start of Tuesday’s hearing, Commissioner Virginia Bell expressed deep concern about the treatment of witnesses who have testified at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. Over the past month, dozens of people have come forward to describe abuse they have experienced because of their Jewish identity.

Bell said she was disturbed by the number of reports indicating that some witnesses have faced further intimidation simply for speaking out. According to her, there has been a dramatic rise in online hate directed at those participating in the inquiry. She described the messages as showing an unfiltered level of hatred and bigotry toward Jewish Australians.

At least one matter has already been referred to the Australian Federal Police for further investigation. The commissioner made it clear that harassment of witnesses would not be tolerated and that authorities would continue to monitor such behavior closely.

Social Media Posts Under the Microscope

The commission is also collecting and recording offensive social media posts that have appeared during the inquiry’s hearings. The commissioner emphasized that her team will continue to track these incidents to support both the integrity of the investigation and the safety of the witnesses involved.

This effort reflects a broader concern that public hearings on sensitive topics often expose vulnerable communities to additional waves of online hostility.

Focus Turns to NSW Police Resources at Bondi

Beyond the issue of witness intimidation, Tuesday’s hearing also focused heavily on how NSW Police allocated resources to the Chanukah by the Sea celebration at Archer Park in Bondi. This is the event where the December 14 terror attack took place.

Community Security Group NSW, a private Jewish security organization, had specifically requested that officers be stationed at the event. According to testimony, only four officers were present when the shooting began. CSG NSW also told the commission that its request for a continuous police patrol throughout the celebration was denied.

The same event had received extra protection in 2023 through NSW Police’s Operation Shelter, a program designed to support Jewish community safety. However, this additional support was not provided in either 2024 or 2025.

Why Resources Were Reduced

A senior NSW Police superintendent overseeing Sydney’s eastern suburbs explained that the heightened presence in 2023 was a response to a surge in antisemitic incidents following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. She told the commission that Operation Shelter had been scaled back later because violent antisemitic incidents had reportedly decreased.

She could not recall the exact number of officers assigned to the 2023 and 2024 events. The superintendent’s identity is protected under a non-publication order. NSW Police said it could not comment on the reasons for the order.

The superintendent confirmed that she had been aware of CSG NSW’s request for an ongoing police presence in 2024. However, she said the decision on resource allocation rested with an operations inspector at the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command. She added that she had no concerns about the inspector’s decisions, describing him as dedicated and thorough after working with him for four years.

The operations inspector, who also cannot be named, will not give evidence at the commission. The reason for his absence has not been made public.

“A Lot of Unease From the Community”

A CSG NSW chief operating officer testified on Monday about a phone call he had with the operations inspector. He had asked for officers to be permanently stationed at the Bondi event, citing the heightened threat environment, the open-air nature of the gathering, the fact that CSG members could not be armed, and the expected size of the crowd.

According to his account, the inspector said NSW Police had determined a static presence was unnecessary, based on an internal risk assessment. The CSG NSW officer responded that the absence of a constant police presence would create significant unease within the Jewish community.

This testimony has fueled questions about whether authorities properly understood the risks facing Jewish communal events at the time.

ASIO Threat Warning Issued Before the Attack

Just days before the December 14 attack, Australia’s domestic intelligence agency, ASIO, released its holiday threat assessment. The document warned that terrorists could target religious festivals such as Christmas and Hanukkah. However, the assessment did not identify Hanukkah celebrations as facing distinct, elevated risks compared to other events, and it suggested that violent protests were more likely than direct attacks.

Counsel assisting Richard Lancaster SC put to the superintendent that NSW Police had significantly underestimated the risk at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration. She rejected that suggestion. She said the event had been planned with the information available at the time and the resources assigned were appropriate based on her assessment.

Still, she acknowledged that with the benefit of hindsight, Jewish community events of this nature should be treated with the same level of seriousness as Jewish high holy days.

A Poorly Worded Email Sparks Debate

During three hours of cross-examination, the superintendent was asked about an internal email sent on December 11 by the operations inspector. The email, addressed to two command inspectors attending the Bondi event, said officers should take car crews and provide a high-visibility presence, but added that they did not need to stay for the entire duration.

Lancaster suggested the message could be interpreted as a direction for officers to drop by periodically rather than remain on-site throughout the event. The superintendent admitted the email was poorly worded but rejected the idea that its meaning had been misunderstood. She explained that her expectation was always for officers to remain at the celebration for its full duration.

A Hearing With Lasting Consequences

The Bondi Hanukkah attack inquiry is shedding light not only on the specific decisions made before the deadly attack but also on the broader challenges Jewish Australians continue to face. From harassment of witnesses to concerns about adequate police protection, the hearings have highlighted serious gaps in both public safety planning and community trust.

As the commission continues its work, its findings are likely to shape how authorities respond to threats against minority communities and how they balance risk assessments with the real fears of those most affected. The hope from many in the Jewish community is that this inquiry will lead to lasting changes, not just temporary reassurances.