Advocates say there is a distinction between criticism of the Israeli government and antisemitism, but drawing the line on university campuses can be challenging.
Identifying antisemitism on university campuses remains a complex challenge, experts have told the royal commission investigating antisemitism.
Australian Human Rights Commission president Hugh de Kretser was among several
witnesses who examined the distinction before the inquiry on Monday.
It was the first day of a week of hearings in Melbourne examining the experiences of Jewish students and academics, as well as efforts by universities to combat antisemitism.
Mr de Kretser said distinguishing between legitimate criticism of Israel and antisemitism could be “complex”.
“There has been public controversy around where to draw the line in terms of criticism of Israel and where it’s racism or where it is antisemitic,” he said.
“If you’re denying people opportunities, if you’re racially harassing them, if you’re abusing them, if you’re threatening them, that is racism.”
However, he said universities had “unique aspects” that added complexity to determining what constituted antisemitism, particularly because of protections for academic freedom.
“I think the way antisemitism is playing out, the way anti-Palestinian racism and Islamophobia are playing out in Australia, creates particular tensions in particular sectors.”
Professor Josh Keller, representing the Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism, said critics of the Netanyahu government were not necessarily antisemitic.
“I share some of those criticisms,” he said.
However, he said antisemitism arose when prejudice extended to the way “people talk about or feel or act about the Jewish people living in Israel”.
Professor Keller referred to a sticker displayed on a university campus featuring a Star of David and the words “we stand with baby killers”.
“When you’re calling a group of people baby killers, that is not only not true, it’s invoking the most immoral act that any human being could possibly do,” he said.
He argued that the complexities of antisemitism meant it required its own legislative protections, distinct from those covering other forms of vilification.
The royal commission will spend the week examining antisemitism and other forms of hatred in university settings, including the intersection between criticism of Israel and concerns among Jewish students about their safety.
New university governance standards also took effect on Monday, requiring institutions to adopt anti-racism policies containing definitions of antisemitism, Islamophobia and racism against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
By Lucinda Garbutt-Young/AAP