Counsel assisting Richard Lancaster tells an Australian royal commission that some Jewish synagogues have canceled services because they cannot afford security guards. The commission hears that rising anti-Semitism is increasing the security burden on Jewish communities. According to the submissions described by multiple outlets, synagogues stop or divert planned activities and reallocate funds to meet security-related expenses, including paying for guards. The reports indicate that Friday night services are among those affected, with counsel stating synagogues cancel because they “couldn’t afford to pay a guard.” The commission’s proceedings focus on the impact of anti-Semitism on Jewish community life and the practical consequences for places of worship. Together, the sources describe a pattern in which security costs rise faster than community resources, leading some congregations to scale back services and shift budget priorities to security measures rather than regular operations.