Witness testimony reveals enduring trauma from Bondi Beach attack at antisemitism royal commission hearing
Dina told the royal commission that her youngest child now thinks about dying whenever visiting the beach where a colleague was shot in December
Dina, a Jewish mother and friend of the author, gave evidence to the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion on Tuesday. During the hearing, she recounted the profound impact of the December attack on the Sydney Jewish community, specifically focusing on the trauma experienced by her youngest daughter.
The witness explained that a few weeks prior to the testimony, her daughter burst into tears while preparing to visit Bondi Beach for dinner. When asked what was wrong, the child replied, "now when I go to Bondi I think about dying". Dina told Commissioner Virginia Bell that her daughter had every reason to feel this way because Dina and others were present at the Bondi Beach attack in December but survived.
The author noted that Dina and he were at a Bat Mitzvah when a colleague called to report he had been shot in the back and thigh during the attack; Dina was standing with the author at the time. The article highlights that virtually every member of the small Sydney Jewish community lost someone, was injured, fled for their lives, or witnessed the violence during the December attack.
Dina was one of the courageous Australians who agreed to appear, tell her story and share her fears and hopes. To every Jewish Australian, Dina's story is unremarkable, as it reflects the shared experience of a community that has historically sought an "even playing field" to be judged on merit rather than race.
In the opening days of the commission, witness after witness spoke of a desire to see an end to the terrorism drills in schools, the militarisation of synagogues, and police snipers on roofs around Jewish gatherings. Instead of rage, the witnesses displayed humility and depth of character, seeking only to restore that level playing field so that they can lead peaceful and meaningful lives.
The testimony underscores the deep personal impact of the violence, with the community knowing that had their plans been different, they or their children may have been killed too. The royal commission aims to address these issues and restore social cohesion for Jewish Australians.