Zann Maxwell Called To Repay Public Funds For Antisemitism Conference

Deputy Lord Mayor Zann Maxwell is facing criticism for his attendance at an antisemitism conference, where he was booed by attendees for his pro-Palestine stance.

Held on the Gold Coast earlier this month, the ‘Australian Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism’ conference, was hosted by the US-based Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), and attended by hundreds of mayors and local councillors from across the country.

The conference highlighted the ways local councils could play a role in preventing antisemitism, with government-appointed special envoy to combat antisemitism, Jillian Segal, addressing crowds, and speeches from University of New South Wales chancellor David Gonski AC, Melbourne Deputy Lord Mayor Roshena Campbell, and co-chief executive officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry Alex Ryvchin, among others.

Advocacy group City of Sydney for Palestine are calling for Maxwell to repay the public funds used to attend the conference, which they allege was dominated by speakers known for right-wing extremism, anti-queer, and anti-Palestinian racism.

“Public funds should serve the public good, not subsidise the platforming of extremists,” said Ash Phthalo from City of Sydney for Palestine.

“If Cr Maxwell is serious about social cohesion, he should stand unequivocally against Israel’s genocide in Gaza and against the far-right forces attempting to silence our communities.”

Depty Mayor booed for pro-Palestine stance

Maxwell had already been receiving backlash in relation to the conference, with audience members booing during a speech he gave on the importance of social cohesion, where he discussed his participation in Sydney’s March for Humanity.

“Antisemitism must never be used to shield the Israeli government from legitimate criticism,” he told attendees. “And nor should criticism of Israel ever be used to excuse or diminish antisemitism.

“It should not be difficult to reconcile these ideas. There’s a time when they were firm common ground. But I worry about the growing distance between people of good faith who are being cornered by hard liners into holding only one of these positions closer than the other.”

In a statement to CityHub, Maxwell said he cared about rise of antisemitism in our city and the “terrible humanitarian crisis” in Gaza.

“That’s why I’ve stood at the Unions NSW Vigil for Peace, marched across the Harbour Bridge for Humanity, and also chose to take part in the Gold Coast summit,” he said.

“For me, it’s about protecting social cohesion, confronting racism, and standing up for human dignity wherever it is under attack.”

Maxwell said that while the CAM offered to cover his travel, he chose to use the councillor conference budget, which he says is in line with the Councillor Expenses Policy.

“As Deputy Lord Mayor, I regularly attend events in my own right, and unless I am formally representing the Lord Mayor and the City, I don’t need approval to do so.

“My attendance was consistent with my responsibilities, my values, and my commitment to strengthening social cohesion in Sydney,” he said.

City of Sydney for Palestine supporters are planning to rally outside the council meeting at Town Hall on Monday night, demanding Maxwell repay every cent of what they called a “luxury junket”.