A360
Key Takeaways✦ Atlas AI
01
APAN denied appearance at Royal Commission.
02
Commission cited lack of "direct and substantial interest."
03
APAN argues criticism of Israel is conflated with antisemitism.
Atlas AI
Australia’s Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has refused the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) leave to appear at its first block of public hearings in Sydney, the commission confirmed. The initial hearings are focused on defining antisemitism and examining its impact on Jewish Australians. APAN said the decision risks excluding Palestinian perspectives from a foundational stage of the inquiry.
In a message to APAN, the solicitor assisting the commission said the commissioner was not satisfied the group had a “direct and substantial interest” in the scope of the first hearing block. APAN had applied to give oral evidence during the opening phase.
APAN, which describes itself as a peak body for Palestinians in Australia, submitted a 259-page document to the commission. The submission argues that criticism of Israel is often conflated with antisemitism and that this conflation is counterproductive to addressing genuine antisemitism.
The commission said applications to appear are considered on a case-by-case basis under its practice guideline. It also said APAN will have an opportunity to respond in writing after the first hearing block concludes.
APAN says exclusion will distort the record
APAN said it was “profoundly disappointed” by the decision and warned that excluding Palestinian voices could produce an incomplete and polarising account of rising antisemitism. It said its submission included testimony from academics specialising in Middle Eastern history, Judaism and international law.
APAN contends that antisemitism is frequently conflated with anti-Zionism, which it says can delegitimise criticism of Israeli policies and actions and divert attention from authentic instances of antisemitism.
Hearings focus on definitions and community impacts
The first hearing block has included testimony from Jewish groups, including the Executive Council of Australian Jewry. The group said being Jewish in Australia is sometimes unfairly conflated with support for the Israeli government.
APAN president Nasser Mashni has argued it is important to distinguish criticism of Israeli government policies from antisemitism. However, the commission’s decision means APAN will not provide oral testimony during this initial phase.
The second block of hearings is scheduled to begin on May 25.
