Today the New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties (NSWCCL) has written to the chair of Universities Australia to express their concerns regarding the new definition of antisemitism adopted by Universities Australia. The new definition conflates legitimate criticism of the State of Israel with antisemitism, posing serious risks to freedom of expression and academic freedom.

Comments attributable to Timothy Roberts, President NSWCCL 

“Universities should not be in the business of censoring legitimate views on geopolitics. Many academics advocate for a one-state solution in Israel-Palestine, many advocate for two states, it is not the role of university management to pick one and ban the other.”

“Academic freedom means sometimes academics express unpopular views. Academics should not be fired for advocating for a single, democratic state in Israel-Palestine in which Palestinians and Israelis have the same rights. That is a legitimate perspective, and obviously not antisemitic.” 

“Academics must have the right to question whether the very structure of Israel legitimates credible accusations of apartheid, occupation, ethnic cleansing and genocide, the most heinous racial crimes imaginable. Suggestions that such work is racist goes against basic principles of academic freedom and stifles urgent discussions about serious geopolitical and legal issues.”

“Several disciplines in political theory call for the elimination of the state structure entirely. The Universities Australia’s definition is particularly dangerous as nations across the globe face increasing state repression which must be allowed to be questioned and challenged.