News Summary
Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian represented her city at the 2025 Australian Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism on the Gold Coast. During her panel discussion, she emphasized the importance of local governance in combating antisemitism and shared personal experiences as an immigrant from Iran. The summit brought together over 250 leaders to address rising antisemitism concerns and showcased Beverly Hills’ proactive measures, including plans for a permanent memorial honoring victims of the October 7 attacks.
Beverly Hills Mayor Sharona Nazarian represented her city at the 2025 Australian Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism, which took place on the Gold Coast from September 3-5, 2025. Hosted by the Combat Antisemitism Movement, the summit drew over 250 local government leaders and advocates from across Australia to address the growing concerns surrounding antisemitism.
Mayor Nazarian led a significant panel discussion titled “Diversity of the Jewish Experience: Standing Up to Hate, Discrimination, and Antisemitism.” During this session, she reiterated a central theme of her mayoral platform—“Never Again is Now.” Throughout her address, she shared her deeply personal experiences, emphasizing her journey as an immigrant from Iran fleeing religious persecution, alongside her own encounters with antisemitism.
At the summit, Nazarian highlighted the vital role that local governance plays in combating antisemitism and laid out actionable strategies for the mayors in attendance. She pointed to the proactive measures taken by Beverly Hills in response to antisemitism, particularly following the devastating attacks on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants instigated a historic assault in Southern Israel, leading to increased concerns about antisemitism worldwide.
In the wake of that attack, Beverly Hills engaged in several commemorative activities, showcasing the city’s solidarity with the victims and their families. They displayed 1,400 flags in memory of lives lost across 30 different nationalities and created Shabbat tables with empty chairs to symbolize the hostages taken during the conflict. Furthermore, Nazarian announced plans for the groundbreaking of a permanent memorial dedicated to honoring the victims of the October 7 attacks, marking it a first of its kind globally.
The summit served as a platform for leaders from varying backgrounds and municipalities to express their commitment to fighting antisemitism. Nazarian remarked on the courageous stances taken by mayors regardless of their town’s size or Jewish demographics. She believes that empowering local leaders to take action can lead to broader national and global impacts in the battle against hate.
Emphasizing the need for unity among local leaders, Nazarian urged collaboration across different faiths and communities to address discrimination at a grassroots level. In closing her panel discussion, she firmly stated that the vital fight against antisemitism must begin in local neighborhoods, underscoring the importance of community-based initiatives in fostering inclusivity and understanding.
This summit not only marked a significant moment in the international dialogue on antisemitism but also reaffirmed the importance of local action in combating hate and discrimination globally. As mayors and local leaders continue to gather and share insights, there is potential for meaningful change that resonates deep into their communities.
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Additional Resources
- Beverly Hills Courier: Mayor Nazarian Attends 2025 Australian Mayors Summit
- WSFA: Montgomery Mayor Taking Part in Beverly Hills Summit Against Antisemitism
- Beverly Press: Beverly Hills Hosts Summit Against Antisemitism
- Ynet News: Jewish World Article
- Wikipedia: Antisemitism
Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER
The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
