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A message from Combat Antisemitism Movement Australia —
Tomorrow we gather on the Gold Coast for the 2025 Australian Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism — a summit led by Australians, for Australians, seeing more than 250 attendees and over 90 councils represented. This gathering is about local leadership, national unity, and the determination to ensure our communities remain safe and inclusive for all.
The past few weeks have reminded us of the seriousness of the challenges we face. We have seen hateful marches on our streets, with extremist groups exploiting division and targeting Jewish Australians. Even more alarming, our nation has been shaken by Iran-linked attacks on Australian soil — a stark warning that antisemitism and extremism are not distant threats, but real dangers to our democracy and social fabric.
This summit is endorsed by governments across the country and reflects a rare alignment of civic leaders, across party lines and regions, to confront hate and strengthen resilience. It is an opportunity to learn, to share strategies, and to return to our communities with practical tools to protect and unite.
At the same time, we cannot ignore that a loud minority has sought to misrepresent the summit and intimidate councillors into silence. Their actions, fuelled by misinformation, only highlight why tomorrow matters. The vast majority of Australians support tolerance, safety, and inclusion. It is our responsibility to make sure that this majority voice is heard.
Whether you are joining us on the Gold Coast or standing with us from your own community:
- Stand firm in leadership — your commitment resonates beyond the summit itself.
- Speak with clarity — counter misinformation with truth, and reject intimidation with unity.
- Take action locally — adopt and adapt strategies to strengthen inclusion, protect vulnerable communities, and foster civic resilience.
- Show solidarity — make it clear that Australians stand with Australians, against hate in all its forms.
We are grateful to the governments, civic partners, and community leaders who have supported this summit — their backing reflects the broad commitment across Australia to unity, safety, and inclusion. This is truly a national effort, represented by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the peak body of the Australian Jewish community and umbrella organisation for more than 200 Jewish organisations across the country.
This is our moment to send a powerful message: Australians will not be divided. Together, we will show that civic leadership is stronger than extremism, and that our country remains committed to a safer, more united future.
Quotes on the summit:
“This summit brings Australians together at a pivotal moment — to stand as one nation against antisemitism and all forms of hate.” — David Gonski AC, CAM Advisory Board Member
“Antisemitism remains a scourge, a huge discriminator and something that we have to continue to combat to ensure that everyone is treated with the openness and inclusion that they should be.” — Julia Gillard AC, Former Prime Minister of Australia
“People have a right to feel and stay safe and know that they belong in our community… national measures aim to foster stronger social cohesion however all levels of government, businesses, community groups and individuals have a role to play. There is much to do, and the work continues. That is why I am proud to support your upcoming summit, and the local government leaders across the country who have come together to help build respectful and resilient communities and stand up against antisemitism.” — The Hon. Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Local Government and Territories
“Queensland is built on the principles of cultural respect and understanding, and it is vital that we continue to uphold these values to ensure they remain the cornerstone of our inclusive society. The 2025 Australian Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we work together to strengthen our communities. — David Crisafulli MP, Premier of Queensland
“Recent arson attacks on Australian soil show the Jewish community are not safe and when hate emerges, the first line of defence are the people who live and breathe their communities. When hate surfaces, their leadership is vital to restoring cohesion. Solving antisemitism in local towns, cities and regions requires true partnership. I want to extend my deepest thanks to every local leader and representative who will contribute to this work at the summit and take their shared experiences and knowledge into their communities and implement real change initiatives.” — Sacha Roytman, CEO of the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM)
Read more: When Fighting Antisemitism Becomes Controversial, It’s Already Antisemitism
Featured summit speakers include:
- Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister of Australia
- Jillian Segal AO, Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism and Michal Cotler-Wunsh, Israel’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism
- Lorraine Finlay, Human Rights Commissioner of Australia
- The Hon. Ron Hoenig MP, NSW Minister for Local Government
- Mayor Tom Tate, Gold Coast City Council and Summit Chair
- David Gonski AC, business leader and philanthropist
- Jeff Schoep, former U.S. neo-Nazi leader turned extremism prevention advocate
- Mubin Shaikh, former jihadist extremist, now counter-terrorism expert and disengagement specialist
- International mayors and community leaders from North America, Europe, and Asia
Media Contacts:
Alex Polson — alex@dbkadvisory.com.au
Carrington Brigham — carrington@agendac.com.au
Leia Gluckman — leia@miller-ink.com
