BackI once again issue a strong appeal…
so that an end may be put to the conflict in the Holy Land,
which has caused so much terror, destruction, and death.
—Pope Leo XIV, August 2025
(during weekly audience at the Vatican)
Australasian Catholic Coalition for Church Reform (ACCCR) and Garratt Publishing presented
A Conversation with Chris Sidoti on Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel
Thursday 25 September 2025
The world is witnessing harrowing events in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel – events that raise urgent questions of justice, human rights and accountability.
Australian human rights lawyer Chris Sidoti, a member of the UN Human Rights Council’s International Independent Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, including East Jerusalem and Israel, has been at the centre of this work. The Commission investigates alleged crimes committed during the conflict, with genocide among its critical areas of focus.
Fresh from the launch of the Commission’s latest report in Geneva this September, Chris shared his reflections and insights at this ACCCR–Garratt Publishing event.
Sister Susan Connelly, a passionate advocate for justice, joined Chris and responded to his presentation and drew out key threads for deeper discussion.
Eleanor Flynn, Co-chair of ACCCR, was the moderator.
A recording of the event is available below.
SPEAKER
Chris Sidoti
Chris is an international human rights lawyer. He is co-founder and a member of the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar and was a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar from 2017 to 2019. Since July 2021, he has been a Commissioner on the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. He is an adjunct professor at the Australian Catholic University. He has been the Australian Human Rights Commissioner (1995-2000) and Australian Law Reform Commissioner (1992-1995). He has also worked in non-government organisations, including as director of the International Service for Human Rights, based in Geneva, Switzerland.
RESPONDER
Sister Susan Connelly
Susan, a Sister of St Joseph, has served as a primary school teacher and principal. For more than twenty-five years she has worked with the East Timorese people in literacy, cultural support, and justice advocacy. Susan has been especially concerned with the implications of Australia’s spying on Timor-Leste. In her book East Timor, René Girard and Neocolonial Violence: Scapegoating as Australian Policy, she applies René Girard’s theories to key aspects of the Australia–Timor relationship. She is also involved in advocacy for the people of West Papua.
MODERATOR
Eleanor Flynn
Eleanor is a Co-Chair of ACCCR. She is a retired doctor, with education and theology qualifications and a serious interest in women’s role in the Church. She co-founded Women’s Wisdom in the Church (WWITCH) in 2019.
