Australian universities have recently come together to combat antisemitism by endorsing a new definition that prohibits calling for the elimination of Israel. This move follows heightened pressure from a senate inquiry and tumultuous protests related to the Gaza conflict. The definition, crafted by leaders from the Group of Eight (Go8), which comprises Australia’s major universities, is set to be implemented across all university campuses nationwide.
The agreed-upon definition of antisemitism encompasses various forms of discrimination, harassment, and exclusion that hinder the full participation of Jews in societal aspects like education, politics, and culture. It emphasizes that criticism of Israel can be considered antisemitic when it relies on harmful stereotypes or calls for the eradication of the State of Israel or Jewish communities. Notably, the definition acknowledges the significance of Zionism to many Jewish Australians and warns against substituting ‘Zionist’ for ‘Jew’ in a way that perpetuates antisemitism.
Jillian Segal, Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism, lauded the new definition as a crucial milestone in addressing antisemitism within university settings. The formulation of this definition involved extensive consultation with the Jewish community and aligns with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) standards, although tailored to suit the academic environment while upholding principles of academic freedom.
In response to concerns raised by a senate inquiry regarding unchecked antisemitism on campuses, universities were urged to adopt a consistent definition of antisemitism that closely mirrors the IHRA’s guidelines. While some advocacy groups advocated for the full adoption of the IHRA definition, universities expressed reservations due to potential conflicts with academic freedom obligations.
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), for instance, previously expressed support for peaceful protests backing the Palestinian cause and questioned the compatibility of the IHRA definition with academic freedom values. The implementation of the new antisemitism definition on campuses is expected to spark discussions and potentially face resistance from various academic quarters.
The senate inquiry further recommended that university vice-chancellors engage formally with Jewish students to address concerns and ensure transparency in handling complaints related to antisemitism. Failure to adequately respond to these issues may lead to the consideration of a judicial inquiry, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the need for universities to proactively address antisemitic behaviors.
Recent incidents on university campuses, such as the expulsion of a student from the Australian National University for expressing controversial views regarding Hamas, have underscored the complexities universities face in balancing academic freedom with the need to combat antisemitism. As Australian universities take this significant step towards defining and addressing antisemitism, the focus remains on fostering inclusive and safe academic environments for all students, regardless of their background or beliefs.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.