The royal commission, which began its public hearings earlier this year, heard testimony from dozens of witnesses across Australia. Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, who presided over ten funerals in three days following the Bondi attack—including that of his son-in-law, Rabbi Eli Schlanger, father of his five grandchildren—told commissioners that his community made a collective decision on the day of Schlanger's funeral to remain in Australia despite escalating fears.

Other witnesses spoke of safety concerns before and after the Bondi attack, describing incidents of harassment, vandalism, and intimidation targeting Jewish Australians. Community leaders testified about the erosion of trust between Jewish and non-Jewish neighbours, with some describing a 'new normal' of heightened vigilance at synagogues, schools, and community centres.

A recurring theme was the tension over the state of Israel. Some witnesses argued that criticism of Israeli government policy had blurred into antisemitism, while others insisted that legitimate political debate was being conflated with hatred. The commission heard conflicting views on whether the rise in antisemitic incidents was linked to events in the Middle East or to domestic factors.

The commission, established in response to a rise in reported antisemitic incidents, has been tasked with examining the prevalence of antisemitism in Australia and recommending policy responses. Its final report is expected later this year.

During the hearings, commissioners probed the role of social media in amplifying hate speech, the adequacy of police responses, and the effectiveness of existing anti-discrimination laws. Some witnesses criticised law enforcement for failing to take complaints seriously, while others praised targeted community policing efforts.

Opposition figures have called for the commission's recommendations to include stronger hate crime legislation and mandatory education programs. Community advocates have urged the government to fund security upgrades at Jewish institutions and to adopt a national strategy to combat antisemitism.

As the commission moves toward its final report, the testimony has laid bare the emotional toll on affected communities—grief, tension, and pain—but also a resolve to address the issue head-on.