Police investigate man who wore swastika shirt outside Bondi Royal Commission
The 68-year-old protester said the anti-Jewish t-shirt was the only form of protest he was allowed ‘when social media is censored in such a way.’
A man who wore a t-shirt with a swastika superimposed over the Star of David outside the Royal Commission into Anti-Semitism and Social Cohesion in Sydney on Wednesday is being investigated by NSW police for possible offensive conduct.
Printing on the t-shirt said: “Anti-Semitism: proud to be accused. SPEAK UP!”
Identifying himself as Ian Minus of the Sydney suburb of Killarney Heights, the 68-year-old said the t-shirt was the only form of protest he was allowed “when social media is censored in such a way”.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“I wear this all the time,” he told reporters. “Is this a swastika? Is this clearly a swastika?”
When he was asked to leave the building’s lobby by several police officers, who were alerted to his presence by a reporter, the man said: “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.”
Displaying the symbol of the German Nazi regime has been banned in NSW since 2022. In comments to reporters, the man accused Israel of committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, where Israel fought a war against the Hamas terrorist group from 2023 to last year.
A police spokesperson said: “Inquiries are ongoing in respect of the alleged offensive conduct.”
The protester’s appearance outside the royal commission may support two common complaints made by Jewish witnesses: they are blamed for Israel’s military actions and criticism of Jews has become so common in Australia it is seen as unexceptional.
Did nothing wrong
Around the same time commissioner Virginia Bell was watching video recordings of Jewish children describing their lives in Sydney after December’s terrorist attack on a Jewish Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach.
A 13-year-old girl who was at a bat mitzvah at Bondi Beach during the attack said she was terrified and suffered nightmares for months.
“I am so sad about all of the people who died, especially Matilda, because she was just a kid and did nothing wrong,” she said.
A 10-year-old girl only known as Matilda was the youngest fatality in the massacre, which claimed 16 lives, including an attacker shot by police.
Another witness, businessman Dean Chenry, described being asked by his 10-year-old daughter after the Israel-Hamas war began — a war celebrated by some Muslim Australians at the Sydney Opera House — what would happen to their family if Australia became too hostile for Jews.
“Dad, if Israel’s not safe and we’re not safe in Australia, where are we going to go?” he told the inquiry his daughter said. “And I didn’t have an answer and it broke my heart.”
After recounting the conversation last year at a family coming-of-age celebration, Mr Chenry said a non-Jewish friend approached him and promised to protect the family if Sydney became unsafe.
“I need you to know if it comes down to that we have a farm and we will take you and hide you,” Mr Chenry said his friend said.
“I broke down and cried,” he said. “We need to think about what’s happening in Australia in 2025 and that people are thinking like that.”
One of the few Jewish leaders to appear before the inquiry, Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler, said Jews’ sense of “psychological safety” had been shattered by a lack of support from political leaders.
“I don’t believe anyone in the government is motivated by anti-Semitism or is anti-Semitic,” he said. “But there were decisions made along the way not to speak out. To take the middle path. We will not rock the boat in this issue.”
A Melbourne lawyer, Mr Leibler has lobbied Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for many years to support Israel in international circles, including the United Nations, where Australia last September recognised a Palestinian state over the objections of Israel and Australian Jewish groups.
Mr Leibler said decision by universities and other institutions to create protected areas for Jews suffering harassment was unintentionally counter-productive.
“The message received is we can’t or are not prepared to take the necessary steps to keep you safe and protected,” he said.
Witnesses’ safety
Mr Albanese reluctantly initiated the royal commission in January in response to complaints from Jewish groups that hostility toward Jews, including weekly protests against Israel in Melbourne and Sydney, had contributed to a hostile atmosphere that culminated in the Bondi attack.
Australian Muslims say they have been subjected to hatred and prejudice too and unfairly blamed for violence carried out by individuals who don’t represent the Islamic religion.
The inquiry, which has to offer proposals to prevent or lessen anti-Semitism, condemned the protester and promised other witnesses would be protected.
“The royal commission is appalled that such an item of clothing was worn in the vicinity of our hearing venue,” a spokesperson said 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.”
