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January 21, 2021

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Zionist Federation of Australia

2 days ago

An important read by Dr. Andre Oboler from The Australian Jewish News on the adoption of the IHRA working definition of antisemitism and what it means in the Australian context. He also explores why, in his view, objections to the adoption are misguided. He writes, "our community always has a diversity of opinion, and this is no exception. A few small Jewish groups oppose the adoption of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism. What frustrates me is that their objections are based on misunderstandings, or efforts to parrot what people overseas say, without considering the Australian context.In the United States, for example, the ability to engage in hate speech, including antisemitic hate speech, is protected by the First Amendment. Efforts to impose sanctions for antisemitic hate speech break with the society’s cultural norms. One can understand why people like Kenneth Stern raised concerns about such norm breaking government intervention. In the Australian context where racism is unlawful, and universities have long had codes of behaviour, a definition doesn’t challenge societal norms, it clarifies their application.Australia, like most countries that adopted the definition, is unlikely to create new laws. Instead, we will recommend the definition to decision makers as a tool to help them examine the facts of an incident and reach a conclusion on whether it should be classed as antisemitic. Existing policies, rules, or laws would then come into play, as they always have, but with more consistent application." Read on below. ... See MoreSee Less

Objections to IHRA definition are misguided

www.australianjewishnews.com

'In the Australian context where racism is unlawful, and universities have long had codes of behaviour, a definition doesn’t challenge societal norms, it clarifies their application.'

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