What to expect during antisemitism inquiry's final public hearings

After taking evidence from hundreds of witnesses and more than 20,000 submissions, the royal commission on antisemitism will now begin its final block of public hearings.Holocaust survivors, relatives of Bondi Beach terror attack victims and children who say they fear for their future as Jewish Australians have been among those to testify at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.Meanwhile, evidence from intelligence and law enforcement heads was largely held behind closed doors due to national security concerns and ongoing court proceedings.The inquiry will now consider how social cohesion could be better understood, measured and strengthened in the community.'Mutual acceptance'Mr Lancaster said in February social cohesion "begins with empathy". (ABC News: Abubakr Sajid)Commissioner Virginia Bell SC said the hearings would "bring together evidence from a broad range of sectors"."We will hear from a range of organisations who have programs and initiatives already operating across Australia and assess how these approaches support safer, more inclusive and connected communities," she said in a statement.In his address at the commission's opening hearing in February, counsel assisting Richard Lancaster SC said social cohesion "begins with empathy"."A diverse multicultural society can subsist and thrive only by mutual acceptance of our respective democratic freedoms exercised according to law," he said.The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion was established in the wake of the December 14 terror attack. (ABC News: Che Chorley)The commission will sit in Sydney until Friday, August 28, with Commissioner Bell's final report and recommendations due before the first anniversary of the Bondi Beach terror attack.Fifteen people were killed and dozens more were injured in the shooting during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi's Archer Park, with one of the two gunmen killed during the police response.The surviving gunman remains before the courts charged with alleged murder and terrorism offences.Controversial momentsCommissioner Bell has had the ability to make urgent recommendations at any time during the inquiry, but has yet to do so.The former High Court Justice made a number of comments about the inquiry during public proceedings, including a rebuke of those who continued to harass witnesses after they had given evidence.She also affirmed the right of lawyers for pro-Palestinian groups to appear to question specific witnesses after a prominent Jewish Australian accused the legal representatives of 'hijacking' the royal commission.Commissioner Bell says she will not move the inquiry's report due date. (ABC News)NSW Premier Chris Minns weighed in on questioning by legal representatives for the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) and the Palestine Action Group, describing the cross examination as "disappointing" and not reflective of the purpose of the inquiry.The selection of witnesses called before the commission also received media attention, with prominent Jewish Australian and former treasurer Josh Frydenberg saying he had not been asked to appear, despite indicating he was eager to do so.Counsel assisting Zelie Heger SC on the first day of public hearings warned it was "simply not possible for the commission to call every single member of the Jewish community who has made a submission"."I want to assure everyone who has given a statement or made a submission that it will be read and considered by the commission even if you are not ultimately called to give evidence," she said at the time.With less than four months left to consider the evidence before the inquiry's due date, Commissioner Bell was clear she would not seek an extension to her reporting deadline."I regard the delivery of my report on or before the first anniversary as a matter of critical importance," she said at the commission's opening hearing in February.