NSWCCL is deeply concerned about the democratic implications for the Special Envoy’s Plan to Combat Antisemitism. We join the calls from across civil society urging the federal government to reject the plan. We are concerned that the plan will be used to enforce government censorship of legitimate political, artistic and academic criticism of Israel.
NSWCCL is concerned with Jillian Segal’s recommendation that the IHRA definition of antisemitism be adopted. The definition has been discredited because it conflates legitimate criticism of Israel with antisemitism. Segal’s plan mirrors actions taken by the Trump administration. She advocates using the IHRA definition to pressure universities and cultural institutions to limit discourse about Israel and Palestine by threatening to revoke government funding.
The NSWCCL’s position is that any definition of antisemitism must not preclude expressing opposition to Israel’s war crimes and breaches of international law, calling for, or participating in boycotts or sanctions on the state of Israel or corporations who benefit from the occupation as inherently antisemitic. Nor are calls for a single, democratic state where Palestinians and Israelis have equal political rights, antisemitic.
As a matter of public policy, definitions which conflate criticism of Israel and its government’s policies with antisemitism are of serious concern to freedom of speech. The breadth of potential harm recommended in the report includes the ability to deny visas, restrict protest, deny funding to universities, censor artistic institutions and the public broadcasters.
Comments attributable to Timothy Roberts, President NSWCCL
"Across Australia we are witnessing governments and institutions pass laws and policies repressing legitimate political speech to silence protest and prevent assembly. This is all happening in circumstances where legitimate criticism of the Government of Israel is being conflated with antisemitism. Sometimes wilfully.
"This report, made by an unelected envoy, has many recommendations that do not adequately acknowledge this context, nor does it strike the right balance. If the Government does not adequately address these issues, our civil liberties will be undermined and our community only further divided.
“The implications of the Special Envoy’s report are dangerous. Government should never be recommended or the tools to repress and police thought in all aspects of society and culture. History shows that actions like those recommended would disproportionately harm minority groups.
“Hate crimes against people because of their race and religion and other characteristics are already crimes across Australia. More laws and state repression against protest will only push dissent into the margins.
“Jillian Segal recommends granting herself, an unelected official, unprecedented levels of power to censor the media and university and cultural institutions. This should be seen plainly for what it is - a power grab by the pro-Israel lobby with dangerous implications for our democracy.
“After years of witnessing life-altering consequences against people who have publicly voiced support for the Palestinian cause, many are rightly concerned that freedom of speech is being curtailed. Accepting the recommendations of this report will only see more repression and censorship."
