Australia urged to distinguish between anti-Semitism and Israel criticism

Federal Commission’s Definition of Anti-Semitism Raises Concerns Over Israel Accountability

A Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion has been established in Australia to address rising anti-Semitic violence. The commission, led by former High Court justice Virginia Bell, delivered its interim report on April 30, 2026, which has raised concerns about the definition of anti-Semitism.

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism is being used as a framework for the commission’s work. This definition includes criticism of Israel as evidence of anti-Semitism. However, critics argue that this broad definition can be misleading and collapses critical commentary on Israel’s policies in Gaza and the West Bank into a racist attack on Australian Jews.

The commission’s definition has been criticized for not allowing for nuanced discussion about Israel’s behavior, particularly in relation to its actions in Gaza. Critics argue that this definition gives Israel an exceptional status, shielding it from accountability for its actions.

In contrast, Australia has a long history of holding its governments accountable for their actions, including criticism of policies on First Nations dispossession, offshore detention, and climate change. The invocation of the “right to exist” in debates about Israel operates as a conversation stopper, closing the door to frank discussion about the state’s behavior.

The commission was established in response to a surge in anti-Semitic violence, but its framework could cast suspicion on genuine inquiry into Israel’s behavior. Critics argue that this definition entrenches a form of exceptionalism that weakens Australia’s democratic norms.

In a statement, the commission acknowledged the concerns raised by critics and emphasized the importance of protecting Jewish Australians from hatred and discrimination. However, the debate over the definition of anti-Semitism continues to raise questions about how to balance protection for minority groups with the need for critical discussion about foreign governments’ actions.

Source: Al Jazeera