IN INDONESIA, THE WEST PAPUA NATIONAL LIBERATION ARMY KILLED EIGHT, AND IN AUSTRALIA, THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON ANTISEMITISM AND SOCIAL COHESION CONDEMNED ONLINE HARASSMENT AGAINST JEWISH WITNESSES

May 21-27, 2026 | Issue 21 - PACOM Team

Brendan Malcarne, Lucy Gibson, Nimaya Premachandra, PACOM Team

Devendra Mahto, Editor; Elena Alice Rossetti, Senior Editor

Indonesian Jungle^[1]

Date: May 21, 2026

Location: Yakuhimo, Highland Papua Province, Indonesia

Parties involved: Indonesia; Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI); TNI forces; TNI security officers; military officers; troops; victims; Indonesian Strategic Intelligence Agency; insurgent group West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNBP); TPNBP members; insurgents; residents; smuggling networks; detained smugglers; civilians; eight individuals

The event: TPNPB claimed the killing of eight individuals, alleging they were disguised military officers.^[2]

Analysis & Implications:

• TNI will likely launch counterattacks against the TPNBP members while attempting to evacuate victims of the TPNBP ambush. TNI will very likely attempt to take control of mining sites, very likely stationing troops within those areas to prevent future TPNBP counterattacks and increasing the likelihood of clashes between TNI and TPNBP. TNI forces have a roughly even chance of attacking civilian households in contested areas suspected of housing TPNBP members, with residents likely facing pressure and threats by both TNI and TPNBP. Enhanced TNI operations in the area will very likely increase casualties of TPNBP members and of civilians caught in crossfire, likely causing displacement and anti-government sentiment in Yakuhimo.

• TNI will very likely strengthen its interdiction efforts in Western New Guinea to prevent the TPNBP from smuggling lethal weapons within Indonesia. TNI will  likely station an increased number of security officers around mountainous or forested regions such as the Star Mountains and Skouw-Wutung border crossing to better detect smuggling transactions in locations with rough terrain. Security officers stationed within militant-affected regions will likely begin investigating gold mining sites to uncover if insurgents use their resources to purchase smuggled weapons. The Indonesian Strategic Intelligence Agency will likely direct TNI security officers to prioritize gathering intelligence on regional firearms smuggling networks while interrogating detained smugglers instead of only processing and incarcerating the apprehended.

Date: May 26, 2026

Location: Australia

Parties involved: Australia; Australian government; Australian law enforcement; Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion; Commission’s witnesses; witnesses; eSafety Commission; personnel; Jewish community; Jewish associations; Jewish residents; Jewish witnesses; some Jewish individuals; synagogue-based groups; family members; social media platforms

The event: The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion condemned the online harassment of Jewish witnesses.^[3]

Analysis & Implications:

• Australian law enforcement will very likely increase the online monitoring and prosecution of hate speech against the Jewish community, focusing on Jewish witnesses to commission hearings. The Australian government will likely use the findings of the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion to amend its Online Safety Act to classify anti-semitic content as restricted content, very likely strengthening the eSafety Commission’s ability to manage online hate. Extended authority and the task of tackling anti-semitic content will likely increase funding for the eSafety Commission, enabling the expansion of personnel and operations.  The eSafety Commission will very likely ask social media platforms to block social media accounts identified for spreading antisemitic narratives within Australia and using hateful language regarding the Commission’s witnesses.  

• The Commission’s acknowledgement of online hate will almost certainly increase Jewish residents’ fear of physical harassment, likely raising requests for protection. Witnesses involved in the Commission’s inquiry will almost certainly request additional protection measures to ensure their anonymity and secure the hearing premises out of fear of persecution, such as stalking, vandalism of private property, or harm to family members. Jewish associations and synagogue-based groups will very likely institute private systems of protection such as neighborhood watch, emergency group chats, and informal patrols on Shabbat and major ceremonies. The increase in online hate targeted at Jewish witnesses to the commission will likely deter some Jewish individuals from attending in-person hearings of the commission, likely increasing online submissions with anonymity and phone enquiries about their experiences.

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[1] Jungle, generated by a third party image database (created by AI) (This image pixelation has been enhanced by a third-party.)

[2] Rebels in Indonesia's Papua region kill 8, military says, Reuters, May 2026, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/rebels-indonesias-papua-region-kill-8-military-says-2026-05-21/

[3] Inquiry into antisemitism in Australia condemns online hatred and bigotry targeting witnesses, AP, May 2026, https://apnews.com/article/australia-antisemitism-hanukkah-sydney-hatred-bigotry-caf78b16e15f465110e257d72036c8a6