Residents protested outside the City of Sydney council meeting on September 22 to call on Labor councillor Zann Maxwell to repay public funds for his pro-Israel junket. The action was organised by City of Sydney for Palestine (CoS4P).
A number of residents later protested inside the public gallery when the then deputy mayor Maxwell rose to speak. They held placards saying: “Pay us back Zann Maxwell! No ratepayers’ funds for genocide!” and “Zionist Council Summit = Hate-fest! Ratepayers should not pay for Zann Maxwell’s attendance!”
CoS4P said the Australian Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism, hosted by the United States-based Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), was not about combating antisemitism, as it was dominated by speakers known for their right-wing extremism, including anti-Palestinian racism.
“CAM has no credibility as a defender of Jewish safety,” CoS4P said, adding that it is “weaponising antisemitism to silence solidarity with Palestine and shield Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza”.
Maxwell’s attendance “has not only endorsed this dangerous agenda but has also undermined his own credibility as a councillor”, CoS4P said. The City of Sydney councillor expenses policy states that “funds must not be used for conferences that bring the councillors’ credibility into question”.
CoS4P spokesperson Ash Phthalo said: “Public funds should serve the public good, not subsidise the platforming of extremists. 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.”