Arsen Ostrovsky, a Jewish Australian human rights lawyer, was in hospital being prepped for surgery after the Bondi Beach Hanukkah massacre when his phone lit up with notifications from his social media accounts. A photo of his blood-soaked head was shared online with his permission, but that didn't stop the hate. Instead, it sparked a wave of conspiracy theories and deep fake images.

These images depicted Ostrovsky as a 'crisis actor' or an agent of the Israeli intelligence service, Mossad. But the truth is, Ostrovsky was literally being prepped to go into surgery when he first found out about the deep fakes. He told the Royal Commission into Antisemitism that these images 'started spreading like wildfire', including ones with his bandage, gauze, and scars photoshopped or removed.

Ostrovsky has a significant online presence with almost 400,000 followers on X, and his appearance before the commission was met with a barrage of hate comments. Some people accused him of being an agent of Israel, while others called him a 'make-up artist' for manufacturing his injuries.

As Ostrovsky testified before the commission, he revealed that he had relocated to Bondi from Israel just a month before the December attack. He described the 'surreal' days he spent in hospital when he was the target of a deluge of online hatred. Online conspiracy theories suggested he was a 'crisis actor' or an agent of the Israeli intelligence service, Mossad.

Ostrovsky told the commission that despite complaints to X, YouTube, and Meta, only Meta had taken action by removing AI-manipulated images from Instagram and Facebook. X and YouTube only confirmed receipt of the report. A video titled "False Flag. Why the Bondi Beach Narrative Doesn’t Add Up" remained on YouTube, he said.

And to make matters worse, Ostrovsky was subjected to a barrage of hate mail from online trolls. He told the commission that he had received over 100 hateful messages in just a few hours, including one that asked him to 'stay out of Australian politics'.

Ostrovsky's testimony before the commission highlighted the growing problem of online hate and the need for social media companies to take responsibility for removing malicious content.

In his opening address for this hearing block, counsel assisting Richard Lancaster said some social media companies had provided documents voluntarily to the commission, but other platforms had ignored requests. The commission has received no response from X Corp or from Telegram, while Reddit and Twitch responded in a limited fashion. Gab, a messaging system that says it is a 'free speech' alternative to mainstream sites, told the commission in a letter that it 'does not answer to Australian bureaucrats'.

Gab's letter was met with skepticism by the commission, with Lancaster saying that social media platforms' response online to antisemitism is 'too often opaque, slow and reactive'. But while some social media companies have agreed to appear before the commission, including Facebook, Google, LinkedIn, and TikTok, others remain resistant.

Steven Lowy, a Jewish businessman, will provide evidence later on Monday about the 'ongoing and substantial security response and constant engagement with police' that his family's security team has engaged in – including reviewing 15,000 hostile online posts in one year and identifying 200 people posting that content.

Ostrovsky's testimony was a powerful reminder of the impact that online hate can have on individuals and communities. As he faced the commission, he showed remarkable courage and resilience in the face of unimaginable hatred.

A Royal Commission into Antisemitism

The Royal Commission into Antisemitism is a landmark inquiry that aims to investigate the root causes of antisemitism in Australia and recommend measures to prevent and address it.

The commission was established in response to the growing threat of antisemitism in Australia, which has seen a significant increase in hate crimes and online harassment. The inquiry is led by the Australian government and involves a series of public hearings and submissions from experts and community groups.

As part of its investigation, the commission is looking into the role of social media companies in spreading hate online and the need for greater regulation to prevent malicious content.

Online Hate: The Silent Epidemic

Online hate is a growing problem in Australia, with thousands of people affected by malicious content and online harassment every year. The impact can be devastating, with victims experiencing anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.

But online hate is not just a personal issue – it's a social and economic problem that affects communities and society as a whole. By spreading hate and fear, online trolls can undermine social cohesion and destroy trust in institutions.

Ostrovsky's testimony highlights the need for social media companies to take responsibility for removing malicious content and for users to be more mindful of the impact of their online actions.

Key Facts

  • The Royal Commission into Antisemitism was established in response to the growing threat of antisemitism in Australia.
  • Arsen Ostrovsky has almost 400,000 followers on X and was subjected to a barrage of hate comments after appearing before the commission.
  • Ostrovsky received over 100 hateful messages in just a few hours after his testimony.
  • Gab, a messaging system, told the commission that it 'does not answer to Australian bureaucrats'.
  • The commission has received no response from X Corp or from Telegram.