From the moment the prime minister, Anthony Albanese, belatedly announced the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion, he clearly wanted the inquiry to be short and tightly focussed. No detours.

By setting Commissioner Virginia Bell a deadline of December 14 – the anniversary of the Bondi massacre – to deliver her report, the PM signalled he had no appetite for surprises or delays.

He seems to have got his wish. The public hearings started in May and wrapped up this week, less than four months in total. Given that there were several intertwined agendas – the spread of antisemitism, a probe into the Bondi massacre, and the impact on social cohesion – it always felt like a race against time.

The commission’s signal achievement has been to hold a mirror to the broader Australian community about the breadth and intensity of hostility that has been directed at Jews since the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023 and the following war in Gaza.

The testimony of lived experience highlighted the extent to which intimidation and victimisation of Jews has permeated virtually every corner of life in this country, from children’s sporting fields to schools and universities, the public service,........

© The Guardian