2023-02-08
In November, the Parliamentary Friends of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance wrote to university vice-chancellors urging them to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism. This definition has been widely criticised, including by progressive Jewish organisations, for its ability to stifle academic freedom, silence Palestinian voices and prevent legitimate criticism of Israel. The need to apply scrutiny to Israel's actions has never been greater. The year 2022 was the deadliest for Palestinians living under occupation since the Second Intifada ended in 2005. A day before being sworn into office, the new right-wing, conservative government of Israel explicitly called settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank its top priority. Critical commentary on these unjust and violent actions should not be silenced. The state of Israel has to be called out for its ongoing apartheid and oppression of Palestinians. Universities should be politically active places.
That is why last week Senator Steele-John and I wrote to university VCs, urging them not to adopt the IHRA definition. We firmly believe antisemitism, like all racism, is abhorrent and must be condemned and consider that universities should uphold and strengthen their existing policies on all forms of discrimination rather than adopt the definition. Universities must ensure all students and staffers, including those who are Palestinian, are protected and can speak freely. Unfortunately, some universities were quick to adopt the definition, but I was heartened to see the commonsense approach shown by others, including Griffith, James Cook and UQ, in indicating they did not intend to do so. I encourage other universities to show the same resolve.