The IHRA definition was never intended to be used as a tool to regulate free speech and has been rejected by hundreds of scholars of antisemitism and Jewish studies, including its own author, as well as international human rights organisations. This is because the examples of antisemitism that it provides, such as calling the state of Israel ‘a racist endeavor’, have been weaponised to suppress criticism of Israel and silence Palestinian voices. Its examples also have the perverse effect of conflating Jewish identity with support for the state of Israel, something which increases antisemitism. Its widespread adoption in the university setting would undermine academic freedom of inquiry and speech.
The Jewish Council also considers that recommendations in regard to improving the transparency of complaints processes, improving wellbeing and safety, and increasing education around antisemitism, while important, will only be effective if integrated into a holistic antiracism strategy which is aimed at combating all forms of racism on campus. It will be ineffective, and counter-productive for universities to try and address antisemitism in isolation from other forms of racism.
Maybe the only honorable thing any Australian Government has done was to help persuade other countries to introduce more BDS measures against Apartheid South-Africa.
These days they are bending over backwards to prolong the existence of an apartheid state.
Albanese will unironically say that he is inspired by Bob Hawke during the next election campaign.
