Jewish Australians have reported a dramatic increase in harassment and intimidation online after giving evidence at the royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion.

Before starting hearings on Tuesday morning the commissioner, Virginia Bell, said at least one instance had been referred to the Australian federal police.

“There is something I would like to say, and it concerns the harassment and intimidation to which members of the Jewish community who have given evidence before this commission have been subject,” Bell said.

“We have received reports from a number of witnesses concerning a dramatic increase in online hate messages after they have given evidence. I should indicate that in one instance the matter has been referred to the Australian federal police for investigation.”

Bell said the commission was “keeping a close eye” on instances of online abuse and “recording these offensive social media posts”.

“Quite what this undiluted level of hatred and bigotry directed towards members of the Jewish community is thought to benefit by those who post these remarks is lost on me, but the commission has, as one of its principal objects, understanding and assessing the lived experience of antisemitism by members of the Jewish community, and it is being informed by conduct of this character.”

Earlier this month, the commission held a fortnightly block of public hearings focused on “lived experience” of antisemitism in Australia.

New South Wales police officers gave evidence on their preparations for the Chanukah by the Sea celebration in December last year.

On the evening of 14 December, Sajid Akram and his son Naveed opened fire from a footbridge above Archer Park at Bondi beach, shooting at a beachside Hanukah celebration being held for the local Jewish community.

Fifteen people were killed by the gunmen. Sajid Akram was shot dead by police; Naveed was shot and wounded and is in custody facing charges, including 15 counts of murder and one count of committing a terrorist act that investigators allege may have been “inspired by” Islamic State.

The commission heard this week that within 30 seconds of opening fire at the Hanukah event, the gunmen had shot 11 people, fatally wounding 10 of them.

The pair was subdued after seven minutes and 41 seconds.

NSW police assistant commissioner Peter McKenna, told the commission the Bondi massacre had had a profound effect on police operations.

“Australia’s changed since this horrific terrorist attack. The way we go about our business, the way we go about our policing has changed since that attack.”

He later said: “The world’s changed for us since 14 December 2025.”

McKenna told the commission police resources were limited across widespread demands, and that there was no specific intelligence a terrorist attack was being planned at the Hanukah event.

“We have to have specific intelligence for us to action.

“Otherwise, Pitt Street Mall could have been the location of an attack. The midnight mass could have been the location of a specific attack. We just don’t know and we can’t guess.”

McKenna said police bearing long-arms were now being deployed at community events.

“It’s a different environment we are in now.”

McKenna rejected suggestions police had underestimated the threat to the Jewish community, and given the beachside event too low a risk profile in its taskings.

Police were asked by the Jewish organisation Community Security Group to provide a static police presence at the event. Instead, officers on were given a “mobile tasking” to repeatedly visit the site, but told in an email there was “no need to stay the entire duration”.

“Please take a car crew or two with you and provide a [high-visibility police] presence. No need to stay the entire duration, but your presence will ensure the community feel safe,” an email from the eastern suburbs operations inspector told two command inspectors days before the event.

Four police were at Archer Park when the gunmen opened fire.

“The issue here is not about that response it’s about how did these two men happen to be there that day and do what they did and us not know about it,” McKenna said.