Significant first stepsGo8 develops definition on antisemitism

ECAJ and 5A call for IHRA

Australia's leading universities has developed a definition of antisemitism which they are recommending to their constituents.

The University of Sydney. Photo: Dreamstime
The University of Sydney. Photo: Dreamstime

The Group of Eight (Go8) representing Australia’s leading universities has developed a definition of antisemitism which they are recommending to their constituents – University of Melbourne, Australian National University, University of Sydney, University of Queensland, University of Western Australia, University of Adelaide, Monash University and UNSW Sydney.

The definition was developed in consultation with Australian special envoy to combat antisemitism Jillian Segal, who told reporters, “Although I am disappointed that the Go8 won’t be adopting IHRA [International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition] like many other universities around the world, I am pleased they are taking the first steps to creating a system where the concerns of Jewish students are appropriately responded to.”

But the definition has been criticised by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and the Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism (5A) who lamented that they were not consulted and called on Australian universities to adopt the IHRA definition.

In response to calls for IHRA, Go8 chief executive Vicki Thomson stated “consistent and clear advice from our members is that IHRA is not workable without adaptation to Australian conditions and context”.

In a letter to Thomson on December 20, ECAJ criticised the Go8 definition: “The opening sentence defines antisemitism as conduct which ‘impedes Jews’ ability to participate as equals in educational, political, religious, cultural, economic or social life’. This severely under-states some forms of antisemitism and over-states others.”

ECAJ also called for the definition to be modified to state, “criticism of Israel is antisemitic when it is grounded in harmful tropes, stereotypes or assumptions about Jews and/or when it calls for the elimination of the State of Israel”.

Associate Professor David Slucki, director of the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation at Monash University was involved in the drafting and told The AJN that while all definitions are limited, “I think this one is clear and responds to the different ways in which antisemitism manifests at universities in Australia and can be applied within those contexts.”

Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) co-president Holly Feldman cautiously welcomed the definition, saying, “While AUJS would prefer that universities adopt IHRA, we nevertheless welcome the Go8 universities taking these significant first steps to combat antisemitism on their campuses, and to address the concerns of Jewish students. Importantly, their definition outlines when criticism of Israel becomes antisemitic.

“Moving into the 2025 academic year, the key issue for all universities is now the implementation of these policies to prevent antisemitism against Jewish academics and students on campus.”

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