Bondi Shooting Victim’s Daughter Reveals Rise in Antisemitism Amid Royal Commission Hearings

Sheina Gutnick, daughter of Reuven Morrison who was killed during the tragic Bondi Beach Hanukkah shooting, has spoken out about the surge in antisemitism she has faced since the attack. Appearing as the first witness at Australia’s royal commission into antisemitism, Gutnick revealed the disturbing messages she has received, including threats against her own life.

The commission, established in response to the December shooting that claimed 15 lives, is investigating the growing hostility towards Jewish Australians. Gutnick’s testimony highlights a worrying shift in public attitudes, with antisemitic sentiments becoming more openly expressed and socially tolerated.

A Daughter’s Heartbreaking Testimony

Sheina Gutnick recounted the harrowing moment her father, Reuven Morrison, was killed while bravely trying to stop the gunmen at the Hanukkah event. Despite the trauma, she has faced further pain from antisemitic abuse online, including messages suggesting she should have been a victim too.

Gutnick criticized attempts to downplay the attack as merely anti-Zionist, emphasizing that such excuses ignore the broader and dangerous rise of antisemitism in Australia.

Antisemitism ‘Allowed to Come into the Open’

Since October 2023, Gutnick has observed a dramatic increase in antisemitic incidents and rhetoric. She described how hateful comments have become socially and morally acceptable in public discourse, creating an unsafe environment for Jewish Australians.

“I felt as though antisemitism was allowed to come into the open.”—Sheina Gutnick

Her father, a proud Australian who fled the USSR as a teenager, had deep ties to Bondi Beach, making the location of the attack especially painful for Gutnick, who now has mixed feelings about the place of her childhood memories.

Broader Impact: Voices from the Jewish Community

Another witness, identified only as AAL, shared his experience as a South African immigrant who once embraced Australia as home. However, he now questions whether the country remains safe for future generations of Jewish families.

“I have to think very seriously whether this is the country for my grandchildren.”—AAL

The royal commission has received nearly 7,500 submissions and is focusing its initial hearings on the lived experiences of antisemitism, aiming to understand the depth and breadth of the issue.

Commission’s Response and Future Outlook

Former High Court judge Virginia Bell, overseeing the commission, acknowledged a sharp rise in antisemitism linked to recent Middle East events. She stressed the urgency of addressing how quickly such events can trigger hostility against Jewish Australians.

Bell’s interim report includes 14 recommendations, such as prioritizing gun law reforms and expanding police protection during Jewish events beyond just high holy days. The commission aims to deliver its final report on the anniversary of the Bondi shooting.

As Australia grapples with this national tragedy, the royal commission’s findings could shape policies to better protect Jewish communities and combat antisemitism nationwide.