CANBERRA, ACT. — The Jewish Council of Australia has condemned Special Envoy Jillian Segal’s latest report on antisemitism, released today, as a dangerous and ideologically driven roadmap that threatens freedom of speech, academic freedom and democratic rights, while failing to meaningfully address the causes of antisemitism.
Combatting Antisemitism: Special Envoy’s Priorities proposes sweeping new oversight of universities, healthcare professionals, the arts, public broadcasters and migration, including restrictions on political expression and the widespread implementation of the controversial IHRA definition of antisemitism.
The report comes just seven weeks before the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion is due to deliver its final recommendations.
The Jewish Council is deeply disturbed by the report’s claims, which verge on conspiratorial, about ‘progressive antisemitism’, the ‘far-left’ and Palestine as a ‘gateway’ issue.
The report suggests that the language of international human rights law, including allegations of apartheid, ethnic cleansing and genocide, has been appropriated to demonise Israel, dismissing serious findings and allegations made by international human rights organisations and United Nations bodies.
Far from an evidence-based response to antisemitism, the report reads as a right-wing ideological document aimed at stifling Palestinian human rights advocacy. Its extensive focus on progressive movements and criticism of Israel stands in stark contrast to its comparatively limited treatment of far-right antisemitism.
The Jewish Council is calling on the Australian Government to reject the report’s authoritarian recommendations and ensure its response to antisemitism:
- Is grounded in evidence and a comprehensive approach to anti-racism, including tackling Islamophobia, anti-Palestinian racism, racism against First Nations people and all other forms of racism.
- Protects freedom of political expression, protest, academic freedom and the independence of public institutions.
- Includes a broad spectrum of Jewish voices, including Jewish Australians who are critical of Israel and Zionism.
Sarah Schwartz, Executive Director at the Jewish Council of Australia, said:
“Antisemitism is a serious and growing threat that demands a serious response. But this report reads less like an evidence-based plan to combat racism and more like a political manifesto aimed at silencing criticism of Israel.
“It is extraordinary that a government-appointed Special Envoy would characterise the language of international human rights law as a vehicle for antisemitism. Allegations of genocide, apartheid and ethnic cleansing are not antisemitic conspiracy theories. They are serious matters of international law that have been investigated by the world’s leading human rights organisations and international institutions.
“Jewish safety cannot be achieved by suppressing Palestinian voices, restricting political speech or requiring public institutions to adopt a particular political understanding of Jewish identity.
“Many Australian Jews reject the suggestion that our Jewish identities are inseparable from Zionism or the actions of the Israeli state. It is deeply concerning that a report supposedly aimed at protecting Jewish people could be used to silence Jewish dissent.
“The Australian Government must not allow the fight against antisemitism to become a vehicle for undermining the very democratic freedoms that protect all of us.”
Bart Shteinman, Executive Officer at the Jewish Council of Australia, said:
“This updated report from the Special Envoy is so misguided, conspiratorial and frankly Orwellian that it’s hard to know where to start. What Segal is proposing as the path forward to combatting antisemitism is similar to what we might expect coming out of Trump’s America, not Australia.
The report does little to mask a right-wing ideology that will go to incredible lengths to silence those drawing attention to Israel’s genocide in Gaza, seeking unprecedented oversight and control over our healthcare system, migration, the arts, universities, and the media.
The Australian Government would do well to remember that the Special Envoy does not speak for all Jews, many of whom could be classified as “progressive antisemites” themselves under the ridiculous analysis Segal is promoting.
Following the recommendations in this report would put Australia on a dangerous path towards the erosion of political speech, democracy and civil liberties, while doing nothing to curb antisemitism.”
