Australian Human Rights Commissioner to speak at 'antisemitism summit' featuring former neo-Nazi
Lorraine Finlay's attendance "raises doubts about her suitability for the role", critics say
Update August 27, 2025, 10.30am: The Australian Human Rights Commission provided comment post-publication, saying Finlay’s attendance was “not an endorsement of any particular political position, individual or group”. We have updated the article accordingly.
Lorraine Finlay, the Australian Human Rights Commissioner, is facing a chorus of criticism over her decision to participate in an upcoming antisemitism summit organised by pro-Israel groups.
Finlay is set to speak at the 2025 Australian Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism on the Gold Coast, taking place between September 3 and 5. Her attendance has drawn condemnation from the Greens as well as Palestinian and Jewish groups.
The summit program also features Jeff Schoep, the former head of a US neo-Nazi organisation, and former Labor senator Nova Peris, who previously shared a social media post describing Muslims as "Satan worshipping cockroaches [that] need to be eradicated".
"Fighting hate sure as heck isn’t helped by giving hate a microphone or joining it on a Gold Coast holiday,” the Greens senator and justice spokesperson, David Shoebridge, told Deepcut. "Our Human Rights Commissioner needs to lead by example, not give political cover to organisations that celebrate offensive and dangerous rhetoric," he added.
Nasser Mashni, Australia Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN) president, said Finlay's attendance "raises doubts about her suitability for the role".
"It beggars belief that a human rights commissioner would participate in a summit alongside known extremists and pro-Israel lobby groups, at a time of rampant anti-Palestinian racism locally and whilst we all continue to watch Israel committing a livestreamed genocide," he said.
Max Kaiser, executive officer of the Jewish Council of Australia, shared similar sentiments.
"By lending her office’s credibility to this summit, Commissioner Finlay risks undermining both the integrity of her role and the broader fight against antisemitism in Australia," he told Deepcut.
An antisemitism or pro-Israel summit?
The summit, according to its website, will bring together "over 250 mayors, councillors, and community leaders in a united stand against rising antisemitism and hate".
Critics argue, however, that it's an all-expenses paid junket designed to push a pro-Israel agenda.
"The Australian Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism, run by the US-based Combat Antisemitism Movement, is being billed as a community safety initiative. In reality, it is a pro-Israel political junket designed to push a one-sided political agenda, silencing legitimate criticism of Israel by conflating it with antisemitism," read a statement issued by the Jewish Council of Australia.
In further remarks to Deepcut, Kaiser said that "genuine efforts to tackle antisemitism must be grounded in universal human rights and solidarity against all forms of racism, not in attempts to shield Israel from accountability".
Shoebridge said that in light of the Jewish Council's criticism, "it’s astonishing our supposedly non-partisan Human Rights Commissioner has not reconsidered her attendance".
In remarks to Deepcut, the Australian Human Rights Commission said it has not adopted the controversial definition of antisemitism proposed by antisemitism envoy and summit participant Jillian Segal, which critics like the Jewish Council say conflates criticism of Israel.
“The Commission does not adopt definitions outside our statutory framework which could compromise our ability to fairly assess complaints. The Commission has a complaint handling function that requires impartiality and objectivity and that is conducted in accordance with our governing legislation,” it said.
In a letter sent to the University of New South Wales – whose chancellor, David Gonski, is the summit committee co-chair – APAN described the Gold Coast conference as "an openly Zionist gathering, with many of its organisers and the conference host having strong links to extremist ideologies and its sponsor organisations having links to the Israeli weapons lobby".
As reported in Michael West Media, the other summit committee co-chair is Stanley Roth – the brother-in-law of controversial antisemitism envoy, Jillian Segal. The envoy, who is also participating in the summit, is facing calls to resign after the Klaxon revealed her husband's discretionary trust – which he shares with Roth – donated $50,000 to far-right campaign group, Advance Australia. Advance has run campaigns targeting migrants and opposed the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
Sharing a platform with a former neo-Nazi
In a letter to the commissioner, Shoebridge expressed "serious concerns" that Finlay would be participating in an event that included Schoep.
"The presence on the panel of former head of the US National Socialist Movement (NSM) Jeff Schoep is deeply concerning. He was one of the most high profile Nazis in America for 2 decades," the letter reads.
Schoep is to lead a session at the summit on September 4, titled 'From Extremism to Engagement: Understanding the Pathways Out of Hate'. But Shoebridge questions whether the former white supremacist is totally removed from his past convictions.
"Schoep left NSM after he was embroiled in repercussions, including legal action, for his part in organising the 'unite the right' rally in Charlottesville. The Southern Poverty Law Centre has raised concerns about his activities after he left the NSM. He has been accused of not cooperating with the Charlottesville civil lawsuit relating to the violent rally, with the plaintiff’s lawyers stating he showed resistance, recalcitrance, and outright defiance," the letter reads.
"It is deeply questionable if Australia should even grant a visa to someone of this character but it is extremely clear the Human Rights Commissioner should not agree to be on a program with him."
In response to questions from Deepcut, the Australian Human Rights Commission said:
“The Commissioner’s role involves advocating for the protection and promotion of human rights across the country. She leads work around freedom of expression and technology and human rights including online threats such as mis- and disinformation. Speaking on these issues at a Summit focused on combating antisemitism is within the scope of her role. Attendance is not an endorsement of any particular political position, individual or group.”
Finlay was controversially appointed commissioner in 2021 by then-attorney general and pro-Israel hawk, senator Michaelia Cash. The hand-picked manner of her appointment drew the ire of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, which warned in 2022 it would downgrade the Australian Human Rights Commission’s A-status if selection processes weren’t rectified. The Albanese government later that year passed new legislation requiring appointments to the Australian Human Rights Commission be made through a merits-based selection process. Finlay’s term ends in November 2026.
In other news, things that caught my eye in West Asia:
Palestine:
Israeli killings of Palestinian paramedics and journalists continue. A shocking video shows a team of rescuers attempting to retrieve a body after an Israeli bombing at Nasser hospital in Gaza. A group of journalists accompanied the rescuers. Al Jazeera reports Israeli forces then deployed an explosive suicide drone, killing 20 people, including the rescuers and five journalists. Gaza's health ministry named the journalists as Hussam al-Masri (Reuters), Mohammad Salama (Al Jazeera), Mariam Abu Daqqa, Ahmed Abu Aziz and Moaz Abu Taha.
Daily killings of desperate Palestinians seeking aid is also ongoing. Gaza's health ministry said Israeli forces killed 19 such people on Sunday and 16 people on Friday. Israel has slaughtered more than 2,000 starving Palestinians seeking aid. According to the ministry's latest figures, Israel has killed at least 62,686 people since October 2023. This is a conservative number, however, as tens of thousands of uncounted victims are still missing under rubble.
The UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has declared, as of August 15, a famine in Gaza. "Over half a million people in the Gaza Strip are facing catastrophic conditions characterised by starvation, destitution and death," the IPC said. "Through June 2026, at least 132,000 children under five are expected to suffer from acute malnutrition – double the IPC estimates from May 2025. This includes over 41,000 severe cases of children at heightened risk of death." More than 280 Palestinians, including 114 children, have starved to death in Gaza due to Israel's blockade, according to Gaza's health ministry.
Lebanon:
US envoy Tom Barrack reportedly requested that Israel restrain its strikes in Lebanon as a reciprocal gesture to the Lebanese government, which is so far acceding to US demands to disarm Hezbollah. And Benjamin Netanyahu responded in kind, saying Israel "stands ready to support Lebanon in its efforts to disarm Hezbollah" and "will engage in reciprocal measures, including a phased reduction of IDF presence" if Hezbollah is disarmed. Hezbollah has vowed not to surrender its weapons, with its leader, Naim Qassem, calling on the Lebanese government to reverse its decision to disarm the group.
Barrack returned to Beirut to deliver Netanyahu's message accompanied by one of Israel's most loyal congressmen, senator Lindsey Graham. The Republican hawk has received more than US$1m from pro-Israel lobby group, AIPAC, and has been a staunch supporter of Israel's actions in Gaza.
My take: That Graham – a close ally of Netanyahu – personally flew to Beirut further demonstrates that the US is merely acting as a conduit for Israeli interests in Lebanon. The Lebanese government believes there is no other option but to accede to Israeli demands, as stated by president Joseph Aoun himself. "Either accept the amended Barrack plan to secure Israeli withdrawal and economic prosperity, or reject it and face isolation."
The Lebanese government is placing its entire trust in the very powers responsible for the country's demise, hoping that disarming Lebanon and leaving it defenceless in the face of nuclear-armed Israel will result in carrots being thrown from the Trump administration. This is naive at least, foolish at most.
As for Hezbollah, the absence of Hassan Nasrallah's strategic nuance and articulate use of language has been striking – especially in contrast to Qassem's clumsy efforts at public diplomacy. Qassem this week strangely ranted about mass anti-corruption protests in 2019 as some US ploy. This follows a speech a fortnight ago where he stoked sectarian flames and warned of "Karbala-like" internal strife.
What's been lacking is a counter proposal from Hezbollah on how it envisions Lebanon's national defence, and how it foresees integrating itself as part of a broader security framework. Hezbollah has not shown a willingness to play ball with other stakeholders in Lebanon, leaving only the US-Israeli proposal on the table for the Lebanese government to consider. Neither the Lebanese government nor Hezbollah are engaging this delicate issue with a 'Lebanon first' approach, and their hardened positions risk leading the country toward a perilous road that the Lebanese people do not wish to revisit.
Syria:
Forces affiliated with the new extremist government have abducted scores of Druze women in the southern governorate of Suweida, and allegedly raped three women before executing them, according to UN experts. The UN says 105 Druze women and girls were abducted "by armed groups affiliated with the Syrian interim authorities, with 80 still missing".
The scene in Syria is indeed shaping into one of minorities versus the new extremist government. A key Druze leader in Suweida, Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, announced the formation of a National Guard, comprising of numerous Druze factions in the country's south. Hijri called for Suweida to secede and thanked Israel and the US. This follows a conference held earlier this month, and hosted by the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which drew Druze and Alawite participation aimed at challenging the interim government in Damascus.
As Hijri was thanking Israel, reports have emerged that Israel is close to signing a security deal with the extremist regime in Damascus. Israel's Channel 12 reports that the terms allow for Israel to continue its aerial dominance over the region; the prevention of the rebuilding of Syria's military and deployment of strategic weapons in Syria; disarmament of the Syrian Golan Heights; and a humanitarian corridor to the Druze in Suweida. In other words, Israel is seeking in Syria exactly what it is seeking in Lebanon: total disarmament and capitulation to allow for Israeli dominance.
My take: The Israelis are laughing. They are playing divide and conquer according to script, and received – on the same day – warm overtures from a Druze leader in Syria's south while coaxing his rival in Damascus closer to a capitulation deal. As with Lebanon, there is no significant force in Syria advocating a 'Syria first' approach. The Levant is bereft of leadership, and instead has withered to feuding warlords and sectarian leaders who neither have the depth nor the interest in articulating a national vision to meet the moment. And that is exactly how Israel wants it.
Thank you Antoun. Always insightful and on point. I wouldn’t have had a chance of getting head around Syria without your writing (or recently Cyrus on the radio war nerd podcast if you have caught that).
It's shocking that other members of the Human rights Commission are not publicly complaining about Finlay's attendance....I have zero faith in the commission