Hate inquiry ‘appalled’ after man wearing swastika shirt moved on by police outside royal commission on anti-Semitism

A hate inquiry has been left “appalled” after a man wearing a swastika shirt was moved on by police while Jewish Australians shared horrific stories of anti-Semitism just metres away.

The man, who gave his name as Ian Minus to reporters, was spotted wearing a shirt with a swastika that said “Anti-Semitism. Proud to be accused. Speak up!” outside 83 Clarence St in Sydney’s CBD on Wednesday morning.

Inside, Jewish Australians are sharing their stories of anti-Semitic abuse to the Royal Commission on Anti-Semitism and Social Cohesion.

“I wear this all the time,” the man told reporters, asking “Is this a swastika? Is this clearly a swastika?” when it was put to him that the hate symbol had been banned in NSW.

“When social media is censored in such a way, this is the only form of protest that I can do,” he said.

He asked reporters “is there a royal commission here, is there?”, claiming he was just enjoying his coffee.

“I’m sorry, I’m just enjoying a cup of coffee in the streets of Sydney. Why am I being assailed in such fashion?” he said, later pointing to his shirt and saying “I am proud of this statement”.

The man was issued a move-on order by police, who walked him to the end of the street before letting him on his way.

“I feel fear and alarm every time an Israeli flag is waved in the streets … I have been asked to move on on a public street, such is the state of protest in NSW,” Mr Minus said.

No charges have been laid as yet, with a NSW Police spokesperson saying the 68-year-old man complied with a move-on direction after he was spotted wearing “clothing which allegedly displayed an offensive slogan”.

“Inquiries are ongoing in respect of the alleged offensive conduct,” the spokesperson said.

A commission spokesperson said they were “appalled” by the incident.

“The royal commission is appalled that such an item of clothing was worn in the vicinity of our hearing venue,” the spokesperson said in a statement issued shortly after the incident.

“Safety of witnesses is paramount to the royal commission. We want to reassure witnesses and those wishing to engage with the royal commission that safety protocols are in place.

“The royal commission is determined to investigate anti-Semitism in Australia without fear or intimidation.”

‘Help us’: 13yo’s heartbreaking plea to inquiry

A 13-year-old girl says she still has nightmares and some of her friends “get scared when they hear a balloon pop” following the Bondi Beach terror attack while issuing a heartbreaking plea for help to an anti-Semitism inquiry.

The young girl was forced into lockdown at a bat mitzvah at Bondi Pavilion on December 14 as the alleged terror attack unfolded outside, she said in a video played to the Royal Commission on Anti-Semitism and Social Cohesion on Wednesday.

She saw hundreds of people running away and screaming through the glass doors, telling the hearing “it was terrifying” and she had nightmares for months.

“Sometimes I still have a nightmare,” she said.

“My mum had to take time off work to look after me.”

The girl noted she did not see or hear any of the shooting, but feels bad for her friends who did hear the gunshots.

“Some of my friends even get scared when they hear a balloon pop,” she said.

“I am so sad about all of the people who died, especially Matilda, because she was just a kid and did nothing wrong.”

She also spoke of feeling anxious and thinking about Bondi when a waitress at a restaurant started bleeding after dropping a glass, and said she was sad for 10-year-old Matilda, who was killed in the attack.

She doesn’t like to see the bridge at Bondi Beach or hear sirens as it reminds her of the attack.

The young girl spoke of wanting to be “more independent” but said “sometimes I get very scared and worried about walking around by myself”, telling the inquiry some of her friends went to the Easter Show by themselves but she would have felt “very anxious and worried” in case an anti-Semitic incident were to occur.

She added her school had increased security and she tried to hide her Jewish jewellery when she was out in public, issuing a desperate plea to the commission.

“I don’t think Jewish kids should be scared to live normally like other kids do,” she said.

“It’s not fair. I hope the commission can help us.”

The heart-wrenching testimony was played at the beginning of the third day of the hearing.

The two-week hearing in Sydney will focus on defining anti-Semitism, its prevalence in Australia and how to assess its prevalence in society and institutions.

The royal commission was announced after the alleged terror attack at Bondi Beach on December 14, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese making the call on January 8 after weeks of pressure.