Australia royal commission bars Palestine advocacy group from testifying

newsMay 14, 202619421

Australia’s Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion refused leave for the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network to appear in its first hearing block. The commission, established on January 9, 2026, has received more than 7,400 written submissions and is holding hearings in Canberra. APAN told the commission that criticism of Israeli policies is routinely misrepresented as antisemitic and that Palestinian voices are being excluded from the inquiry. The decision narrows which testimonies the commission will hear and matters because the inquiry will help shape where political criticism of Israel is classified as antisemitism in Australian policy and public life.

Peter Murphy

@peterwmurphy1.bsky.social

The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) was denied leave to appear before the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. I guess the Zionist lobby gets to decide what is "social cohesion" and how it will be achieved. 😔 #auspol #FreePalestine

18745d ago

Robynne16

They use their influence to silence anyone who doesn’t agree with them. It’s making a mockery of this royal commission that WE are paying for.

Graham ✌🏼 🍉14

What a farce this is Genocidal supporters controlling a royal commission What a joke

Thommo6712

#FuckIsrael and #FuckAlbanese for enabling this bullshit #auspol

Meagrebones9

It's a government instigated Royal Commission. Thet're just not saying which governmet.

Small World-Big adventure5

Israel/Zionist Lobby is running too much government policy. They've had a heavy-hand over elections for years. "Former foreign minister Bob Carr says 'pro-Israel lobby' - 2014 www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04...

Kristin4

No matter what the Zionists do or say, the evidence against Israel and the atrocities they have committed in Palestine and now in Lebanon, and the images we have seen will never be erased. There is no doubt that Israel is lead by war criminals and uses a barbaric IDF

Dr Sally4

Zionists get determine ALL definitions now

Michael West

@michaelwestbiz.bsky.social

"NSW Parliament's antisemitism report was folded into Bondi Royal Commission, missing the airing of contesting views and rigorous questioning". Stephen Lawrence MLC. #auspol #antisemitism michaelwest.com.au/nsw-antisemi...

6745d ago

Gordo3

The RWFW's pushed for a RC when Albo preferred an inquiry.

Jewish Council of Australia

@jewishcouncilau.bsky.social

Today in the Royal Commission: some people refer to the Holocaust and genocide in regard to Israel’s conduct because they believe that never again means never again for anyone

7445d ago

Ragnar Johansson 3

Chocking! Never again means that the Israelis can’t exterminate the Palestinians ?

IH8SHOCKJOX 🇦🇺🌈 proudly voted YES2

So the contributions that aren't anti-semitic are valid? Ie, Israel is committing genocide. Is that what he's saying?

Dr Ingrid M🪁

@ingridm.bsky.social

the Royal Commission into Antisemitism has vacated hearing days rather than allow Palestinians to speak.

The first week of hearings heard testimony from several witnesses - including from Jewish groups such as the Executive Council of Australian Jewry
- that being Jewish in Australia was being unfairly conflated with support for the actions and policies of the government of Israel.
Hearing block 1 has run ahead of schedule, with some hearing days vacated.
Hearing block 2 will begin on 25 May and will examine the circumstances surrounding the terror attack at Bondi beach on 14 December.

3345d ago

Dr Ingrid M🪁32

Palestinians have the right to resist the occupation of their homelands and the genocide of their people without being labelled antisemitic.

livesarah.bsky.social6

The entire RC is a farce, but this just heaps disgrace upon disgrace.

mariecolemanao.bsky.social2

But they do have the right to reply in writing. Note that Commissioner has been careful to distinguish between anti Semitism and criticism of Israel

Robynne

@haddagutful.bsky.social

They use their influence to silence anyone who doesn’t agree with them. It’s making a mockery of this royal commission that WE are paying for.

1645d ago

Graham ✌🏼 🍉

@graham2960.bsky.social

What a farce this is Genocidal supporters controlling a royal commission What a joke

1445d ago

Drop Bear

@drop-bear.bsky.social

Well, golly gee, we can't have anyone speaking against the desired narrative, now can we? 🤬 www.theguardian.com/news/2026/ma... #AusPol #antisemitism #censorship

745d ago

Peggy Sanders

@peggysanders.bsky.social

“Over 7400 submissions have flooded into the taxpayer-funded Royal Commission into Antisemitism. The hearings are dominated by sworn evidence from people with “lived experience”, mostly Jewish Australians, and the usual parade of experts.” #auspol

1045d ago

K.R. O'Connell 🇦🇺

@29rory.bsky.social

their own god Noah's children and the land he gifted to them? In Australia we are required by our laws to be antisemitic? we have laws against the #Rascism and #Supremacists and they are trying to claim immunity to prosecution by citing a religion they don't rightfully obey Royal commission joke?

345d ago

noizez

@noizez.bsky.social

Australia’s antisemitism inquiry rejects collective ethnic guilt A royal commission hearing in Canberra crystallizes a global double standard: which communities get protected from collective blame, and which do not.

345d ago

Oz Wiltshire.

@ozwiltshire.bsky.social

Fantastic outcome, people power 💪 now, about KRudds 500,000 signatures for a royal commission into Australia's MSM? @albomp.bsky.social #MichelleRowland

245d ago

Maggie Emmett

@magicpoet01.bsky.social

Royal Commission into Antisemitism & Social Cohesion, established on 9 January 2026 by the Australian government, has refused to allow Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) to appear in the Commission’s first hearing block. Read their submission here: apan.org.au/royal-commis...

145d ago

pstuarts.bsky.social

@pstuarts.bsky.social

The royal commission into the hurt feelings of genocidal psychopaths theshot.net.au/uncategorize...

145d ago

Demon King of the New Platform

@clothedvillainy.bsky.social

I’ve watched most of the Royal Commission streams, and I can definitely say that that article circulating today is exactly what I’d expect from an outlet whose editor recently championed the Houthis…

145d ago

Steve Moskal

@samoskal.bsky.social

Appears the Royal Commission has apartheid collective punishment ‘othering’ false darvo divert blame abuse trauma-uniformed values built into it

145d ago

3 sources

theguardian.comPalestinian peak body refused leave to appear at royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion theshot.net.auThe royal commission into the hurt feelings of genocidal psychopaths - The Shot noizez.comAustralia’s antisemitism inquiry rejects collective ethnic guilt

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Australia royal commission bars Palestine advocacy group from testifying

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