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WELLINGTON: Australia’s PM Anthony Albanese announced a wide-ranging royal commission into antisemitism, weeks after two gunmen opened fire on a Jewish holiday event at Bondi Beach, killing 15 people.The commission will investigate the nature, prevalence and drivers of antisemitism generally as well as the circumstances of the Bondi mass shooting, Albanese told reporters in Canberra on Thursday.It will also make recommendations for law enforcement, strengthening social cohesion and countering the spread of extremism.A royal commission, which is the most powerful form of govt-commissioned inquiry that can be held in Australia, has the power to summon witnesses and request documents as evidence.It will be led by former HC judge Virginia Bell, Albanese said. A report is due by Dec 14, which will be a year to the day since the shooting during a Hanukkah celebration at the Sydney landmark. The announcement followed weeks of urging, that has grown in volume, from lawmakers across the political spectrum, Jewish leaders and other public figures such as prominent sportspeople for a royal commission to be convened, instead of a statewide inquiry in New South Wales, where the attack happened.REUTERS
