Arsen Ostrovsky, an Israeli human rights attorney and survivor of the Bondi Beach terror attack, described the online harassment he faced in the aftermath of the December 14, 2025, incident. Ostrovsky provided his testimony on Monday during the third round of hearings for Australia's Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.
The commission is examining the spread of hate speech online and through traditional media. Ostrovsky recounted that an image of his injury, shared on social media shortly after the attack, was altered and subjected to conspiracies and mockery. He described the online abuse as "overwhelming," "dehumanizing," and "vicious."
According to ABC News, manipulated versions of Ostrovsky's blood-covered face depicted him holding an Oscar statue or a ketchup bottle, with some online comments labeling him a "trauma tourist" or an actor in a "false flag attack." Others falsely claimed the blood in the original photograph was fake.
Ostrovsky told the commission that the experience was "surreal," occurring while he was in the hospital awaiting surgery. "This was happening as I was literally being prepped to go into surgery," he stated.
The Bondi Beach attack, carried out by a father and son, resulted in 15 deaths and 40 injuries. The father was killed by police during the incident, while his son survived and received hospital treatment.
The Royal Commission was established to investigate the circumstances leading to the attack and is expected to deliver recommendations to the government by the end of the year. The session on Monday focused on witnesses who had experienced antisemitic incidents.