The Royal Commission into Anti-Semitism and Social Cohesion began Tuesday's hearing by investigating rallies held in Sydney in response to the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel in 2023.
Hundreds of pro-Palestine protesters gathered at the Sydney Opera House forecourt on October 9, 2023 - two days after a deadly Hamas attack on Israel - while the landmark was illuminated in the white and blue colours of Israel's flag.
NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said police were admitting they could not control the streets when they recommended the community's security group advise people to avoid the city.
''I thought it was quite an extraordinary and outrageous admonition from police,'' he said.Â
''I can't recall any group, particularly any religious or racial group, ever being provided advice they should avoid their own city CBD for their own safety and well-being."
Some at the Opera House allegedly yelled offensive chants including ''f*** the Jews" as clips of the protest sparked widespread condemnation.
Mr Ossip said the vision travelled internationally and was a disgrace.
Palestine Action Group lawyer Dominic Toomey in cross-examination sought to distance protest organisers from a smaller, separate group responsible for the chants and burning flags.
But Mr Ossip said he had never been advised the protest group were not also responsible for the offensive acts.
The commission will hear from the NSW deputy police commissioner later on Tuesday.
A 2025 gathering of Australia's most notorious neo-Nazi group at the NSW parliament is also expected to form a focus for the hearing block.
About 60 men clad in black and associated with the National Socialist Network stood outside the building.
The men displayed a banner reading: ''Abolish the Jewish lobby''.
Commissioner Virginia Bell will also hear evidence on the democratic function of protests in general, hateful conduct occurring within the context of protests and police responses.
The hearings are designed to identify opportunities to address anti-Semitism and social cohesion through policing of protests in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.
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