Royal Commission doubles down on IHRA definition

Commissioner Virginia Bell has reaffirmed her commitment to using the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, saying it “makes sense” to adopt the same definition as Australian governments if her recommendations are to be useful.

Opening the first block of public hearings into the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion on Monday, Bell acknowledged criticism that the IHRA definition could be “weaponised” to suppress criticism of Israel, but said such criticisms proceed on a misconception.

“The examples of conduct under that working definition that may constitute antisemitism are just that, in every case, the question of whether the conduct is to be assessed as antisemitic is considered in its overall context,” Bell said.

“I expect the application of the IHRA definition will be fleshed out in the course of the evidence of witnesses in this first block of hearings, witnesses who have appropriate expertise.”

The two-week hearing block will focus on defining antisemitism, its historical and contemporary manifestations, lived experiences and metrics for assessing its prevalence in institutions and society.