The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network is deeply concerned about the Prime Minister’s announcement that Australia will adopt the IHRA definition of Antisemitism.
“Adopting particular definitions of any sort of racism is unnecessary, and in this case dangerous” said Bishop George Browning, President of APAN.
“The IHRA Definition actually muddies the water between legitimate criticism of Israel and Antisemitism. It has been used to shut down legitimate advocacy for Palestine in other places in the world, and we must not allow this to happen in Australia” he continued.
“The Racial Discrimination Act is the best tool we have to fight all racism, including the scourge of antisemitism.
“It is vital that the IHRA definition is not introduced into policy by any Government Department or public institution.
Human rights lawyers and eminent jurists alike, including Geoffrey Robertson AO QC are deeply concerned that the definition lacks clarity and stifles discussion about Palestinian human rights.
Many Jewish groups and individuals have expressed concern about the definition.
In the United Kingdom, after the definition was adopted by universities, an event raising money for Palestinian children and events supporting Palestinian human rights on campus were barred. In the USA, an Executive Order issued by President Trump has led to Universities facing lengthy and expensive court proceedings about student activities supporting Palestinian human rights.
A key drafter of the definition, Kenneth Stern, has proactively challenged the way that the IHRA definition is being adopted by countries and other bodies. He published an article; I drafted the definition of antisemitism, Rightwing Jews are weaponizing it.
For more, see https://apan.org.au/factsheet-ihra/
SMH article quoting APAN
The Guardian article quoting APAN