Commission says it had no choice on Ossip cross-exam

The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion was legally obliged to let pro-Palestinian counsel cross-examine NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip, the commission’s head of community engagement has told the Jewish Community Council of Victoria.

Speaking at the JCCV plenum on Tuesday night, Rebecca Carpenter said Ossip’s written statement had set out a number of facts as he saw them about the events of October 7, 2023, in Israel. Parties already granted leave to appear then sought leave to test those facts, and under the rules of procedural fairness Commissioner Bell was required to allow it.

Carpenter, who was in the hearing room, said Ossip had been given advance warning of the types of questions he would face, and that nothing in the way they were put would have allowed the commissioner to intervene.

“My personal view as a Jewish woman is that it was deeply, deeply uncomfortable. It was really challenging, and I think Mr Ossip did a fantastic job,” she said.

She added that being questioned did not mean the commissioner had been persuaded. “Just because questions were asked, and just because organisations appear and give evidence, does not necessarily mean that the commissioner will change her views.”