A Perth teenager recently shared his distressing experience of online bullying during a public hearing of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. The commission, now in its second week, has been gathering testimonies from individuals who have faced various forms of abuse. Among them was a family who spoke under a pseudonym, revealing the painful reality their 15-year-old son encountered while playing Minecraft, an online worldbuilding game. He recounted how classmates from his public school hurled antisemitic slurs at him, including phrases like “I hate Jews” and derogatory terms that left him feeling isolated and distressed.
The boy expressed the emotional toll of the comments, stating, “It made my stomach turn upside down.” After feeling overwhelmed, he confided in his parents, sharing that he felt he had “no friends left.” His father, upon learning of the situation, reported the bullying to the school, which responded with support and took action by addressing the students involved and their parents. Ultimately, the students issued apologies for their hurtful remarks.
The boy’s mother, who converted to Judaism after moving to Australia, shared her own concerns about the rising tide of antisemitism, drawing parallels to her experiences growing up during the civil war in the former Yugoslavia. “It was like a deja vu for me,” she remarked, reflecting on the disturbing similarities between her past and the current climate of hatred.
Rabbi pays tribute to Bondi victim
Rabbi Menachem Dadon, who has been involved in community events such as Chanukkah by the Sea, also spoke at the commission, honoring his friend Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who tragically lost his life in a shooting attack during the event last year. Rabbi Dadon recalled the profound impact of the tragedy, particularly the questions posed by his 14-year-old daughter, who asked, “Father, why do they hate us so much, why do they want to kill us?”
‘Horrifying’ cartoon of Jewish group leader
As the commission continued, Julie Nathan, research director for the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), presented alarming statistics indicating a 316 percent increase in antisemitic incidents between 2023 and 2024. Although this figure saw a decline of 19 percent in the following year, the ECAJ recorded over 1,600 incidents in the past year alone. Nathan emphasized that not all anti-Israel comments are classified as antisemitic, but she firmly believes that calls for the destruction of Israel as a Jewish state cross that line. She also shared her own experiences of being targeted, including a distressing caricature that depicted her in a derogatory manner.
WhatsApp group concerns
In a related testimony, Melbourne saxophonist and composer Joshua Moshe recounted his experiences in a WhatsApp support group for Jewish creatives following the tragic events of October 7, 2023. He raised concerns about a fellow writer’s criticism of a Jewish artist and expressed alarm over comments that denied aspects of Jewish history. After these discussions were leaked to the media, Moshe faced a barrage of online abuse, leading to feelings of insecurity and fear for his safety. His situation escalated when he was removed from a band he had been part of for seven years, with accusations of bullying and racism leveled against him. Following vandalism at his homewares store and threats against his family, he reported these incidents to the police, who expressed sympathy but indicated there was little they could do.
Musician ‘doxxed’ after comments
Australian musician Deborah Conway also shared her experiences of online harassment after comments she made during an interview were taken out of context. Following her remarks regarding the impact of military actions in Gaza, she faced severe backlash, including being labeled a “baby killer.” Conway described the visceral feeling of such accusations and noted that her career suffered as a result, with gigs and speaking events being canceled. She recounted incidents where protests disrupted her appearances, highlighting the intense atmosphere surrounding discussions of antisemitism and Israel.
The royal commission, prompted by the Bondi terror attack, continues to delve into these pressing issues, with expert witnesses and advocacy groups expected to present their perspectives in the coming days. With over 9,600 submissions received, the majority from individuals identifying as Jewish, the inquiry aims to shed light on the complexities of antisemitism in contemporary society.
Jewish teen subjected to antisemitic slurs on Minecraft, inquiry told
A Perth teenager recently shared his distressing experience of online bullying during a public hearing of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. The commission, now in its second week, has been gathering testimonies from individuals who have faced various forms of abuse. Among them was a family who spoke under a pseudonym, revealing the painful reality their 15-year-old son encountered while playing Minecraft, an online worldbuilding game. He recounted how classmates from his public school hurled antisemitic slurs at him, including phrases like “I hate Jews” and derogatory terms that left him feeling isolated and distressed.
The boy expressed the emotional toll of the comments, stating, “It made my stomach turn upside down.” After feeling overwhelmed, he confided in his parents, sharing that he felt he had “no friends left.” His father, upon learning of the situation, reported the bullying to the school, which responded with support and took action by addressing the students involved and their parents. Ultimately, the students issued apologies for their hurtful remarks.
The boy’s mother, who converted to Judaism after moving to Australia, shared her own concerns about the rising tide of antisemitism, drawing parallels to her experiences growing up during the civil war in the former Yugoslavia. “It was like a deja vu for me,” she remarked, reflecting on the disturbing similarities between her past and the current climate of hatred.
Rabbi pays tribute to Bondi victim
Rabbi Menachem Dadon, who has been involved in community events such as Chanukkah by the Sea, also spoke at the commission, honoring his friend Rabbi Eli Schlanger, who tragically lost his life in a shooting attack during the event last year. Rabbi Dadon recalled the profound impact of the tragedy, particularly the questions posed by his 14-year-old daughter, who asked, “Father, why do they hate us so much, why do they want to kill us?”
‘Horrifying’ cartoon of Jewish group leader
As the commission continued, Julie Nathan, research director for the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), presented alarming statistics indicating a 316 percent increase in antisemitic incidents between 2023 and 2024. Although this figure saw a decline of 19 percent in the following year, the ECAJ recorded over 1,600 incidents in the past year alone. Nathan emphasized that not all anti-Israel comments are classified as antisemitic, but she firmly believes that calls for the destruction of Israel as a Jewish state cross that line. She also shared her own experiences of being targeted, including a distressing caricature that depicted her in a derogatory manner.
WhatsApp group concerns
In a related testimony, Melbourne saxophonist and composer Joshua Moshe recounted his experiences in a WhatsApp support group for Jewish creatives following the tragic events of October 7, 2023. He raised concerns about a fellow writer’s criticism of a Jewish artist and expressed alarm over comments that denied aspects of Jewish history. After these discussions were leaked to the media, Moshe faced a barrage of online abuse, leading to feelings of insecurity and fear for his safety. His situation escalated when he was removed from a band he had been part of for seven years, with accusations of bullying and racism leveled against him. Following vandalism at his homewares store and threats against his family, he reported these incidents to the police, who expressed sympathy but indicated there was little they could do.
Musician ‘doxxed’ after comments
Australian musician Deborah Conway also shared her experiences of online harassment after comments she made during an interview were taken out of context. Following her remarks regarding the impact of military actions in Gaza, she faced severe backlash, including being labeled a “baby killer.” Conway described the visceral feeling of such accusations and noted that her career suffered as a result, with gigs and speaking events being canceled. She recounted incidents where protests disrupted her appearances, highlighting the intense atmosphere surrounding discussions of antisemitism and Israel.
The royal commission, prompted by the Bondi terror attack, continues to delve into these pressing issues, with expert witnesses and advocacy groups expected to present their perspectives in the coming days. With over 9,600 submissions received, the majority from individuals identifying as Jewish, the inquiry aims to shed light on the complexities of antisemitism in contemporary society.