The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (Apan) has been refused leave to appear before the royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion, prompting accusations that Palestinian voices are being excluded from the debate.
Apan made detailed submissions on antisemitism, racism, and social cohesion, but was told it did not have a 'direct and substantial' interest in the public hearings currently under way in Sydney. The network expressed deep concern that the inquiry would rely heavily on submissions equating criticism of Israel with hatred of Jewish people without rigorous inquiry.
'Excluding voices from the Palestinian community increases the very real probability of producing an incomplete and polarising account of the rise in antisemitism,' Apan told Guardian Australia. The network argued that criticism of Israel is routinely misrepresented as antisemitic, and that the definition of antisemitism is being weaponised to silence those who criticise Israel.
The commission confirmed that Apan applied to appear at hearing block 1 but leave was not granted, with applications considered on a case-by-case basis. Apan will have the opportunity to respond in writing at the end of the block.
Apan's president, Nasser Mashni, said the decision sends a 'devastating and deeply alienating message' and is inconsistent with calls for social cohesion. He stressed the importance of being able to criticise Israeli government policies without that criticism being equated with antisemitism.
