Monash anti-Semitism stance praised by Zionist Federation

Monash University has acknowledged the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-Semitism in its anti-racist policy.

Monash University has acknowledged the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-Semitism in its anti-racist policy. Picture: AAP/ Chris Eastman

Monash University has joined the University of Melbourne in acknowledging the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-Semitism in its anti-racist policy.

Monash has included in the fact sheet about its new policy, which was approved last month, a statement that the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism “is drawn on by the university in order to guide understanding of anti-Semitism”.

The new Monash stance was praised by the Zionist Federation of Australia, which said it would “play an important role in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Jewish students on campus”.

“The IHRA working definition is widely accepted as the most comprehensive and accurate definition of anti-Semitism. It recognises that anti-Semitism can take many forms, including traditional forms such as hate speech and violence, as well as more subtle and insidious forms such as delegitimisation, demonisation and double standards in relation to Israel,” said ZFA president Jeremy Leibler.

The ZFA said it looked “forward to working with Monash University to ensure that the IHRA working definition is implemented effectively”.

In January the University of Melbourne adopted the IHRA working definition of anti-Semitism in its anti-racism policy.