ABC and SBS refuse to adopt IHRA

Australian Jewish leaders described the refusal of the ABC and SBS to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism as “deeply concerning”.

The ABC reportedly told the media it would not adopt IHRA, adding, “The ABC’s existing guidance on hate speech is clear and unambiguous, including the principle that legitimate criticism of the State of Israel or the actions of some Israelis becomes antisemitism when the target shifts from ‘Israel’ to ‘Jews’”.

Jewish leaders have argued that the distinction is often not clear and as criticism towards ‘Zionists’ has been coded for Jews.

The ABC also claimed IHRA’s examples have “in some contexts, been applied in ways that risk conflating legitimate political and policy critique with antisemitism”.

SBS similarly declined to adopt IHRA, reportedly stating, “SBS acknowledges there are diverse definitions of antisemitism and does not adopt or endorse any one organisation’s definition”.