The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

A new definition of antisemitism from Universities Australia is attracting criticism – two historians explain why

  • Written by Jan Lanicek, Associate Professor in Modern European History and Jewish History, UNSW Sydney



Since Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7 2023, and Israel’s war in Gaza, there has been a sharp increase in antisemitic incidents[1], some of these occurring at Australian universities[2]. The war’s ongoing reverberations have led to renewed controversy over the question of when criticism of Israel and support for Palestinian rights becomes antisemitic.

On February 27 2025, Universities Australia issued a statement on racism[3], acknowledging that racism existed on campuses in all forms, “including antisemitism, Islamophobia and the experience of First Nations people”.

It followed a parliamentary report on rising antisemitism on university campuses[4] tabled by Labor MP Josh Burns, which made a number of recommendations to ensure the safety of Jewish students.

The statement was endorsed by 39 members of Universities Australia and included a “clear definition of antisemitism”.

Antisemitism, it says, is:

discrimination, prejudice, harassment, exclusion, vilification, intimidation or violence that impedes Jews’ ability to participate as equals in educational, political, religious, cultural, economic or social life. It can manifest in a range of ways including negative, dehumanising, or stereotypical narratives about Jews. Further, it includes hate speech, epithets, caricatures, stereotypes, tropes, Holocaust denial, and antisemitic symbols. Targeting Jews based on their Jewish identities alone is discriminatory and antisemitic.

The Universities Australia definition was developed by a working group[5] consisting of members of the GO8 universities, Australia’s special envoy to combat antisemitism Jillian Segal, and associate professor David Slucki, director of the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation at Monash University.

An older woman speaks at a podium.
Jillian Segal, Australia’s special envoy to combat antisemitism, was part of the working group that produced the Universities Australia statement on racism. Thomas Parrish/AAP

Competing definitions

The Universities Australia definition adds to a list that includes the definition developed by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance[6] and what has been seen as a competing Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism[7], which was created in response.

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition has been officially adopted by over 40 countries, including Australia. Developed by a group of prominent Holocaust scholars and endorsed by others, it has been the subject of fierce debate since its inception in 2016, here and overseas. The definition contains 11 examples of antisemitism, seven of them at least partially related to the state of Israel.

Most of the examples seem self-evident. Controversy has centred on where the definition moves to conflate antizionism and antisemitism. Some scholars and activists believe it mutes legitimate discussion[8] about Israeli state violence towards Palestinians.

The competing Jerusalem Declaration was subsequently endorsed by around 370 leading scholars of Holocaust history, Jewish studies, Antisemitism studies, and Middle East studies. It defines antisemitism as “prejudice, discrimination, hostility or violence against Jews as Jews”. Its authors claim the declaration aims “to protect a space for an open debate about the vexed question of the future of Israel/Palestine”.

By removing the state issue from the question of antisemitism, the Jerusalem Declaration is seen to give more space to criticism of Israel and Zionism.

Recently, several universities worldwide, including the University of Melbourne[9] and Harvard[10], adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition. In each case, the official adoption triggered heated discussions about possible infringements on academic freedom.

Students outside a sandstone building.
Melbourne University has adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition. James Ross/AAP

The Universities Australia definition is closer to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance version than to the Jerusalem Declaration. It has been met with opposition from academics, human rights organisations[11] and left-wing Jewish groups[12].

These opponents feel, firstly, that the definition singles out antisemitism and marginalises other prejudices, and, secondly, that it potentially stifles legitimate criticism of Israel and academic discussion about Palestinian rights.

But the Universities Australia definition has also been criticised for not going far enough. The Executive Council of Australian Jewry[13] and the Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism[14] would prefer if Universities Australia adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition, with its stronger protection of Israel.

Different understandings

At the core of this ongoing debate are genuinely different understandings of what constitutes antisemitism.

The relationship between antizionism and antisemitism has many grey areas. There are many examples from history of campaigns against Zionism that were used to disguise antisemitic sentiments.

During the Cold War, communist countries initiated an antizionist campaign. Officially, they differentiated it from the murderous antisemitism of Nazi Germany. But in the communist mindset, every Jew was a potential Zionist[15], suspected of disloyalty and subject to persecution.

A majority of Australian Jews identify with Zionism[16] as an integral part of who they are as Jews. Criticism of Israel utilising longstanding anti-Jewish tropes[17] and employing antisemitic rhetoric that simply substitutes “Zionist” for “Jew” has greatly heightened concerns in the Jewish community.

The Universities Australia declaration stresses:

All peoples, including Jews, have the right to self-determination […] Substituting the word “Zionist” for “Jew” does not eliminate the possibility of speech being antisemitic.

The declaration leaves open the question of the future settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the subsequent political and territorial arrangement in the region.

Academic freedom

There are, however, legitimate questions here about academic freedom. The Executive Committee of the Australian Historical Association[18] has expressed concern that the definition “places new limits on scholarly scrutiny and criticism of Israel and Zionism by Australian academics”. This concern needs to be taken seriously.

The Universities Australia definition specifies conditions under which criticism of Israel could be considered antisemitic – for example, “when it is grounded in harmful tropes, stereotypes or assumptions and when it calls for the elimination of the State of Israel or all Jews or when it holds Jewish individuals or communities responsible for Israel’s actions”.

This means that a scholarly, responsible and evidence-based discussion about the state of Israel and its policies is protected by academic freedoms and is not a form of antisemitism.

But more clarity is needed around whether those who demand a different kind of state might be in contravention. What would be the status of arguments for Israel changing its current system in favour of two states, a binational state, a unitary democratic state, a federal state in whatever form?

Moreover, the definition indirectly emphasises that, when evaluating antisemitic allegations, it is important to consider the context in which the contested remarks or actions are made. This is another safeguard to protect academic freedom, but it remains to be seen how this will play out on university campuses.

That this is a challenging discussion is confirmed by the difficult situation at top American universities, including Harvard[19]. The ball is now in our universities’ court. They need to ensure all our students, whatever their backgrounds, feel comfortable to fully experience campus life.

As educators, we should be alert to who is in our classrooms and create space for different perspectives and different knowledges. Students should feel comfortable participating in classes without fear of prejudice.

Universities also have the obligation to give space to all those who want to pursue genuine, evidence-based research on all aspects of current world affairs, and who want to express their considered opinions publicly and with integrity.

Definitions are important, but they are only one part of this vexed issue; they cannot be the sole arbiter.

References

  1. ^ sharp increase in antisemitic incidents (apnews.com)
  2. ^ occurring at Australian universities (ministers.ag.gov.au)
  3. ^ statement on racism (universitiesaustralia.edu.au)
  4. ^ rising antisemitism on university campuses (www.abc.net.au)
  5. ^ developed by a working group (www.australianjewishnews.com)
  6. ^ International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (holocaustremembrance.com)
  7. ^ Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism (jerusalemdeclaration.org)
  8. ^ mutes legitimate discussion (www.theguardian.com)
  9. ^ University of Melbourne (www.theguardian.com)
  10. ^ Harvard (theconversation.com)
  11. ^ human rights organisations (www.amnesty.org.au)
  12. ^ left-wing Jewish groups (www.jewishcouncil.com.au)
  13. ^ Executive Council of Australian Jewry (www.theguardian.com)
  14. ^ Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism (www.australianjewishnews.com)
  15. ^ every Jew was a potential Zionist (www.tandfonline.com)
  16. ^ identify with Zionism (thejewishindependent.com.au)
  17. ^ longstanding anti-Jewish tropes (www.theguardian.com)
  18. ^ Executive Committee of the Australian Historical Association (theaha.org.au)
  19. ^ including Harvard (www.newyorker.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/a-new-definition-of-antisemitism-from-universities-australia-is-attracting-criticism-two-historians-explain-why-251252

The Times Features

Optimal Locations for Smoke Alarms in Australian Homes

Smoke alarms play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of homes across Australia. They are essential in alerting occupants at the earliest signs of a fire, allowing enough time ...

10 Smart Ways Australians Can Slash Their Electricity Bills in 2025

Electricity prices in Australia continue to rise, but that does not mean you have to sacrifice your lifestyle to save money. By making a few smart changes, you can lower your pow...

Trusted Healthcare Construction Company for Modern Facilities

Achieving quality, safety, and innovative medical facilities is challenging in an ever-changing healthcare world without collaboration with a trusted healthcare construction comp...

How to Treat Hair Loss Without a Hair Transplant

Understanding Hair Loss Hair loss can significantly affect individuals, both physically and emotionally. Identifying the causes and types can help address the issue more effecti...

How to Find a Trustworthy Professional for Your Plumbing Needs

Nowra is an idyllic locality often referred to as the city of the Shoalhaven City Council in the South Coast region of New South Wales, Australia. This picturesque suburb feature...

How to Choose a Mattress for Back/Neck Pain and All Sleepers?

Waking up with a stiff neck or aching back can derail your entire day. If you're one of the millions struggling with chronic pain, a supportive mattress is more than a luxury – i...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping