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The Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) has praised the strong leadership shown by Victorian councils following the successful Victorian Local Government Forum on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, hosted by Glen Eira City Council last week.
The meeting convened nearly 100 participants, including mayors, councilors, CEOs, senior council officers, community organizations, academics, and representatives from state and federal agencies. More than 25 Victorian councils took part, making this one of the most significant local government gatherings on antisemitism ever held in Australia.
The event featured Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism Jillian Segal AO as the keynote speaker, alongside contributions from Monash University, Courage to Care, the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV), and broadcaster Jon Faine AM, who facilitated the program.
Feedback from attendees, particularly non-Jewish leaders, was overwhelmingly positive, noting the program’s practical focus, high-quality dialogue, and immediate applicability to local communities.
A Turning Point for Local Government Leadership
The forum was designed as a practical working session rather than a symbolic gathering, equipping councils with tools and strategies they can apply immediately. Attendees engaged in structured roundtables on social cohesion, incident response, community engagement, and upstander education.
“This forum demonstrated the readiness and determination of Victorian councils to take meaningful action,” said Glen Eira Mayor Cr Dr Simone Zmood said. “Local government is central to social cohesion, and the momentum generated at this event will carry forward into concrete outcomes across the state.”
Building on the strong participation and collaboration at the forum, CAM and partner councils will progress several next steps over the coming months:
- A Victorian local-government working group to coordinate shared approaches to combating antisemitism and strengthening social cohesion.
- Follow-up operational workshops for councils seeking deeper training in community safety, multicultural engagement, and rapid-response frameworks.
- National alignment sessions with NSW and Queensland councils ahead of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) June General Assembly.
- Preparation of council-led motions calling for dedicated state and federal support to scale up prevention, education, and community-cohesion initiatives.
- Annual Victorian Local Government Forum to be held in 2027, expanding participation and best-practice collaboration.
CAM CEO Sacha Roytman stated, “Local governments are stepping forward with clarity and purpose. The success of this forum shows a national movement is emerging — one defined by collaboration, evidence, and a shared commitment to strengthening Australia’s social fabric.”
Alignment With National Developments
The forum took place as the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion commenced hearings in Sydney. CAM highlighted the strong alignment between the Commission’s focus on evidence and underlying drivers, and the practical leadership demonstrated by councils at the Victorian forum.
CAM will continue to support councils nationally with policy guidance, training, research, and coordinated advocacy ahead of key state and federal milestones.
Last September, CAM organized the inaugural Australian Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism, chaired by Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, where more than 250 local leaders, representing almost 100 councils across Australia, engaged in constructive dialogue and shared practical strategies to address the rising challenge of antisemitism and other forms of hate.
