‘They came to kill us’: royal commission hears horrific accounts of antisemitism faced by Jewish children in Australia
Jewish parents have shared harrowing accounts of antisemitism faced by their children in Australian schools, including exposure to swastikas, Nazi salutes, and online hate, during a royal commission hearing. They described a growing sense of fear and insecurity within the Jewish community, exacerbated by events like the Bondi massacre. The commission heard that antisemitic rhetoric has become normalized in public discourse and social media, deeply affecting the mental health and safety of Jewish children.
- ▪Jewish children in Australia are regularly exposed to swastikas, Nazi salutes, and antisemitic slurs at school, according to testimony before the royal commission.
- ▪A mother known as Dina said her eight-year-old child became fearful of dying when visiting Bondi, linking the location to the massacre that killed 15 people.
- ▪Natalie Levy testified that her daughter, one of only two Jewish students at her school, witnesses daily antisemitic behavior and that she herself has been targeted with slurs online.
- ▪Another mother, AAP, said her children expressed fear of attending Jewish community events, worried they might be shot.
- ▪The royal commission heard that antisemitic content on social media and in schools has led children to say they no longer want to identify as Jewish.
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2:00'They came to kill us – we just weren't there,' Jewish woman tells royal commission – videoRoyal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion‘They came to kill us’: royal commission hears horrific accounts of antisemitism faced by Jewish children in AustraliaJewish children face antisemitic abuse, swastikas etched on school walls and other students performing Nazi salutes, hearing told Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Ben DohertyTue 5 May 2026 00.10 EDTFirst published on Mon 4 May 2026 22.23 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleJewish children in Australia face antisemitic abuse at school, see swastikas daubed on walls and witness classmates perform Nazi salutes: they live with antisemitism “all day,…
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