Antisemitism Royal Commission Witnesses Face AI-Generated Hate Content, Death Threats

Victims of antisemitism giving evidence to Australia’s Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion have been subjected to death threats, dehumanizing comments, and AI-generated antisemitic images, an analysis of over 1,000 social media posts reveals.

The Royal Commission, established to investigate the surge in antisemitism following the Bondi terror attack, has heard from dozens of witnesses, including a Jewish child who spoke about peers performing the Nazi salute at school. In response, one commenter suggested increasing the number of students throwing the salute, while others called for witnesses to be “executed” or depicted them as “subhuman” in AI-generated content.

Royal Commissioner Virginia Bell noted a “dramatic increase in online hate messages” post-testimony, describing the content as “undiluted hatred and bigotry.” The Dor Foundation, which analyzed the posts, found a “sustained effort to punish” participation in the commission, potentially deterring future witnesses.

The Australian Federal Police are investigating, with the commission now in closed hearings. CEO of The Dor Foundation, Tahli Blicblau, emphasized the need for safer online spaces, noting that while some content is removed, much remains available.

Commissioner Bell expressed puzzlement at the benefit of such hatred, stressing the commission’s focus on understanding antisemitism’s impact. The targeted witnesses, including public figures like Special Envoy Jillian Segal and musician Deborah Conway, faced calls for Jewish Australians to leave the country and were subjected to demonic and ugly portrayals.

The royal commission’s findings highlight the challenges in combating online hate, with Blicblau warning that the online space acts as an “amplifier” for hatred, leading to real-world actions.