Unis ‘must all agree on defining anti-Semitism’
Universities are being urged by MPs from both major parties to urgently adopt an internationally accepted definition of anti-Semitism amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Universities are being urged by MPs from both major parties to urgently adopt an internationally accepted definition of anti-Semitism amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, with a senior Liberal saying the fact only five universities had done so was “ridiculous”.
Former Coalition frontbencher Julian Leeser and Labor MP Josh Burns have both called for all universities to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-Semitism, as reports of harassment of Jewish Australians rise.
“All Australian universities should sign up to the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism. The definition has been adopted by the Australian government and it has multi-partisan support,” Mr Leeser said.
“It is ridiculous that only five universities have adopted the definition, including two Group of 8 universities, while the rest of Australia’s universities have either declined to do so or refused to engage. The failure to sign up to the IHRA definition is one example of the widespread problems of anti-Semitism we are seeing on campuses across Australia.”
The IHRA definition states anti-Semitism is “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews” as well as “rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-Semitism … directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property”.
The two major Melbourne universities and two Sydney universities are among those that have adopted the IHRA definition, which Mr Burns, Mr Leeser and others have been wanting implemented for two years.
Mr Burns, who attended the Jewish school in Melbourne that was vandalised with anti-Semitic graffiti last month, said it was critical universities adopted the definition given the rise of hate across the country.
“There’s never been a more important time to understand the different manifestations of anti-Semitism,” he said.
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