Australia’s universities have announced that they will adopt a new definition of antisemitism on campuses following the Senate’s Inquiry into Anti-Semitism at Australian Universities. The inquiry which received over 600 submissions, recommended that higher education providers “closely align” with the contested International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition.
The adopted definition of anti-Semitism, formulated by the Group of Eight (Go8) universities, was unanimously endorsed by Universities Australia’s 39 members and made public on 26th February 2025. It has been reported that consultations with Jillian Segal, the special envoy to combat antisemitism, influenced the Go8’s decision.
New anti-Semitism definition
The new definition states:
Antisemitism 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.
The definition states that criticism of the policies and practices of the Israeli government or state is “not in and of itself antisemitic.” However it goes on to state:
Criticism of Israel can be antisemitic 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 …
All peoples, including Jews, have the right to self-determination. For most, but not all Jewish Australians, Zionism is a core part of their Jewish identity. Substituting the word “Zionist” for “Jew” does not eliminate the possibility of speech being antisemitic.1
Responses
The new definition has been strongly opposed by groups such as the Jewish Council of Australia, Amnesty International and a range of academics.
In its response, the Jewish Council of Australia stated:
By categorising Palestinian political expression as inherently antisemitic, the definition will be unworkable and unenforceable, and will stifle critical political debate, which is at the heart of any democratic society. The definition dangerously conflates Jewish identities with support for the state of Israel and the political ideology of Zionism.2
In its response, Amnesty International stated that the definition:
(D)angerously conflates legitimate criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism, weaponising accusations of racism to silence and repress student rights to protest and freedom of expression, rights that are protected under Articles 19 and 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It does nothing to uphold safety or combat discrimination and serves only to suppress student activism and restrict political expression.3
Nick Riemer, an academic at the University of Sydney and member of the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU), expressed his concerns:
This decision by Universities Australia is a dangerous and foolhardy one that is going to prevent universities from doing their job properly. Trump and Netanyahu are currently planning the mass ethnic cleansing of two million people in Gaza. Yet university leaders in Australia think that now is the time to establish a definition of antisemitism that is effectively going to make criticising those kinds of policies much, much harder.
Nick Riemer also stated that the definition encourages the view that criticism of Israel, or the ideology of Zionism, equates to anti-Semitism:
This decision is an affront to academic freedom in the sense that it tries to set the parameters of what views can and can’t be expressed on university campuses. That goes directly counter to the mission that universities have which is to function as centres of independent, objective and rational debate about the world where a whole variety of views can be entertained and expressed.4
Conclusion
Critics agree that the new definition adopted by Universities Australia alarmingly conflates legitimate criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism. They also warn that it will enable university authorities to use questionable accusations of racism to repress freedom of expression and the right of students to protest.
Not only are such freedoms and rights protected under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, but critics warn the universities’ strategy will do nothing to protect the safety of students and staff, nor address racial discrimination on campuses around the country.
The adoption of the new antisemitism definition by universities represents a victory for the pro-Israeli lobby and opportunistic politicians. However, it also seriously undermines each university’s proper mission which is to advance independent and critical inquiry, teaching and research.
Notes
1. Universities Australia, Statement on Racism, Feb 27, 2025.
2. Jewish Council of Australia, Media Release, Feb 26, 2025.
3. Amnesty International, ‘Australian universities’ decision to adopt contested definition of antisemitism is an attempt to stifle freedom of expression across campuses nationwide’, Defending Human Rights, Feb 27, 2025.
4. Nick Riemer, ‘Universities adopt definition of anti-Semitism’, ABC Radio PM, Feb 26, 2025. Also refer to the submission by the University of Sydney NTEU branch to the Inquiry into Anti-Semitism at Australian Universities, 2024.