Leading Muslim bodies, student groups ‘reject’ universities’ agreed anti-Semitism definition

Muslim peak bodies and student associations have rejected a common definition of anti-Semitism approved by almost 40 Australian universities to be enforced on campuses to protect Jewish Australians.

A pro-Palestine encampment on the lawn of Sydney University in 2024. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers/NewsWire

Muslim peak bodies and student associations have “rejected” a common definition of anti-Semitism to be enforced by almost 40 Australian universities on campuses to protect Jewish Australians.

The strong and broad definition, based on that of the International Holocaust Remem­brance Alliance and recommendations of anti-Semitism taskforces at Columbia University, Stanford University, Harvard University and New York University in the US, states that “criticism of the policies and practices of the ­Israeli government or state is not in and of itself anti-Semitic”.

“However, criticism of Israel can be anti-Semitic 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,” the definition, adopted by all Universities Australia’s (UA) 39 campuses, states.

It also states: “Substituting the word ‘Zionist’ for ‘Jew’ does not eliminate the possibility of speech being anti-Semitic.”

Following the announcement, the Australian National Imams Council and the Alliance of Australian Muslims “rejected” the definition, saying it “goes beyond the aim of protecting Jews on campus … it now gives deliberate and convenient protection to any criticism of Israel … as well as any criticism of Zionist ideology,” it wrote, while “raising serious concerns about academic freedom and free expression”.

The united action comes after several universities – including Macquarie University and the University of Sydney – set up high-security rooms for Jewish students, due to a rising tide of attacks and harassment of Jewish Australians.

A Jewish student at the University of Sydney. Picture: John Feder

Sydney University Muslim Students’ Association “implored the university to reject” the definition and to “consult with a diverse range of stakeholders to fully understand the implications of this position on the university’s longstanding values and legacy of academic freedom, freedom of thought and speech”.

The student group called the definition “extremely problematic” and said “it goes beyond the realm of protection of the Jewish ethno-religious group and moves to the realm of protecting a secular post-modernistic nation state ‘Israel’ from any sort of criticism that can be deemed ‘anti-Semitic’.”

Staff groups including one called UTS Staff for Palestine, also rejected the definition: “We say no to Universities Australia imposing a dangerous, politicised, vague, and unworkable definition of anti-Semitism that represses academic freedom.”

Earlier this month, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, chaired by Jewish Labor MP Josh Burns, called on all universities to adopt a clear definition of anti-Semitism that aligned closely with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition. “The committee witnessed ­brazen incidents of anti-Semitism go without consequence or leadership by some of our university vice-chancellors. This needs to be addressed with urgency,” the committee stated in a report tabled in ­parliament.

Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism, Jillian Segal, previously said the Universities Australia’s definition was “an important step” and “places universities in a better position to respond to the concerns of Jewish students”.

UA said the “uniform definition of anti-Semitism would help universities in their efforts to combat this scourge”.

“UA will provide this definition to TEQSA and request that it works with the HESP to best determine the positioning of the definition within the Higher Education Standards Framework.”

The IHRA definition is already being used by the new Student Ombudsman, as well as the federal government, Jillian Segal and peak Jewish organisations.