Bayside Council to vote on antisemitism definition
The motion has drawn opposition from Jews for Justice Melbourne, citing free speech concerns.
Bayside City Council in Melbourne’s south east will vote Tuesday night on adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism.
The move has attracted strong opposition from a small Jewish group, who say the IHRA definition is not in the best interests of Jewish people.
Councillor Robert Irlicht’s Motion 349 seeks council endorsement of the IHRA definition, which opponents claim conflates criticism of Israel with antisemitism.
The motion follows a surge in antisemitic incidents across Victoria, with 552 recorded in 2024 – the highest annual total documented.
Recent local incidents include Jewish students subjected to antisemitic slurs at Melbourne Museum and the December firebombing of Adass Israel Synagogue in neighbouring Ripponlea.
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