‘Australia’s antisemitism plan fails on a number of fronts’

SYDNEY, Australia (MNTV) –The Australian government’s antisemitism plan has a flawed approach, says Dr Louise Chappell, Scientia Professor at the School of Social Science, University of New South Wales. 

She writes in an article for The Conversation that the strategy, presented by Jillian Segal, the special envoy to combat antisemitism, relies on a contentious definition of antisemitism, weak evidence, and far-reaching punitive recommendations.

At the heart of the controversy lies the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, she says and adds that this definition conflates disapproval of Israel with anti-Jewish prejudice. 

Alternative definitions, such as the Jerusalem Declaration, which balances antisemitism and freedom of speech, have been ignored, says Dr Chappell. 

The argument that antisemitism is rising in Australia, particularly in universities and cultural institutions, is also problematic, she says. The evidence presented lacks citations, baseline figures, and details about data collection and incident investigations.

Furthermore, its focus on extremist ideologies overlooks the impact of Israel’s war on Gaza, which has resulted in mass Palestinian civilian casualties. 

The recommendations have been rightly described as “Trumpian”, she says and adds that they are directed towards the education sector, media, and cultural institutions. These measures, including threatened funding cuts and staff terminations, are an overreach of Segal’s mandate as an advisor to the government, says Dr Chappell.

“Segal’s mandate specifies her role is as an advisor to government, not a regulator. By taking such a drastic approach, the antisemitism strategy risks stoking further social division. The government, which is considering the recommendations, must proceed very cautiously.”