No antisemitism definition at Aus unis

“Sectoral assessment has found that no Australian university has formally adopted a definition of antisemitism, a finding the nation’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism (ASECA) described as “sobering” amid rising concern over campus safety. The University Report Card , prepared by Emeritus Professor Greg Craven, was released last week, while students and academics were giving evidence into their university experiences at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. Special Envoy Jillian Segal said Professor Craven’s findings are “deeply concerning.” “I am pleased that a small number of universities are on track to adopt a definition [of antisemitism] and a larger number of universities in one way or another have endorsed a definition,” she said. “Neither of those facts takes away from Professor Craven’s central finding that universities have not actually adopted a definition of antisemitism in the fullest sense of the word.” The report card system was designed to assess the sector against four criteria: Definition – adoption and implementation of a definition of antisemitism as recommended by the Parliamentary inquiry into antisemitism at Australian universities ; Training – delivery of staff education on antisemitism and hate speech; Complaints processes – accessibility and fairness of reporting and redress mechanisms; and Policy review – governance responses to encampments and other campus activities that may incite discrimination. Ms Segal pointed out that it ’ s not possible to assess the institutions against the criteria without the adoption of a definition in the first instance. “No university can develop adequate policies and procedures, including complaints procedures, for dealing with antisemitism if it cannot first define what its policies and procedures are intended to eliminate,” she said. Previously, the sector had rejected the recommended International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition , in favour of developing its own under the auspices of Universities Australia (UA), which it said would be easier to implement. UA said it will continue to work closely with Ms Segal, and emphasised that the sector is working hard to combat antisemitism. “Jewish students and staff should feel safe, respected and supported on campus, and we recognise the hurt and distress many in the community have experienced,” the organisation said in a statement. “Universities across the country have strengthened policies, complaint pathways, support services, education programs and codes of conduct in response to instances of antisemitism on campuses.” Ms Segal has called for all universities to send Professor Craven “a detailed timeline for adopting and operationalising a definition by 31 August”.

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