Witnesses at Antisemitism Royal Commission Face Severe Online Abuse
‘Evil dog, pig’: Jews targeted with vile abuse after appearing at royal commission
The Sydney Morning HeraldImage: The Sydney Morning Herald
Witnesses appearing at the royal commission into antisemitism in Australia have reported a surge in online abuse, including death threats and dehumanizing language. The royal commissioner, Virginia Bell, expressed concern over the hate directed at witnesses, emphasizing the need for the inquiry to address these issues.
- 01Over 1,000 antisemitic posts targeted witnesses of the royal commission, including children.
- 02Witnesses received threats to be executed and were called derogatory names like 'cockroach' and 'evil dog.'
- 03The royal commission is monitoring online abuse and has referred some cases to the Australian Federal Police.
- 04The eSafety Commissioner is assessing whether the abusive content violates cyberbullying laws.
- 05Josh Frydenberg's Dor Foundation was established to combat rising antisemitism in Australia.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Witnesses testifying at the royal commission into antisemitism in Australia have been subjected to a significant increase in online abuse, alarming royal commissioner Virginia Bell. Reports indicate that over 1,000 posts targeted these individuals, employing dehumanizing language and even calling for violence against them. Some witnesses, including children, received threats and were labeled with derogatory terms such as 'evil dog' and 'pig.' The Dor Foundation, led by former treasurer Josh Frydenberg, highlighted the seriousness of this abuse, which included death threats and Holocaust glorification. Bell noted that the commission is closely monitoring this online hostility, which undermines the principle of democratic participation. The eSafety Commissioner is collaborating with the Dor Foundation to evaluate whether this harmful content warrants investigation under cyber abuse laws. Frydenberg emphasized that the current wave of antisemitism is unprecedented and detrimental to Australia's values of freedom and respect.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The rise in antisemitic abuse affects the safety and participation of individuals in public inquiries.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
What measures do you think should be taken to combat online hate speech?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.


&w=1200&q=75)