Antisemitism report targets unis, arts bodies, charities that tolerate hate

Australia’s antisemitism envoy has focussed on education as the centrepiece of her long-awaited strategy, among a large raft of often controversial proposals, to combat the rise in anti-Jewish violence and hate speech since Hamas’s brutal attacks on October 7, 2023.

In a landmark report released today, Jillian Segal’s proposals include embedding Holocaust and antisemitism education in the national school curricula, and setting up a project “to support trusted voices” to publicly refute antisemitic views, particularly via social media platforms.

“Education is central,” Segal said at a media conference to launch the report. “It shapes not only what young Australians know, but how they think and how they treat others.”

The report also puts forward several controversial measures in the education, arts and philanthropy sectors. They include:

On the migration front, the report also proposes screening visa applicants for antisemitic views or affiliations, and that non-citizens involved in antisemitism in Australia “should face visa cancellation and removal from Australia”.

“Antisemitism in Australia has reached a tipping point that threatens social harmony, undermines trust in institutions and marginalises Jewish Australian citizens,” Segal writes in the report. “[It] is not just a threat to Jews; it attacks the foundation of our nation; the fairness, equality and respect we have for one another.”

The report said there had been a 300% rise in antisemitic incidents from October 2023 to September 2024, with over 2,000 cases reported – threats, assaults, vandalism and intimidation – in October and November 2023 alone. These figures exclude much of the hate online, where antisemitism has exploded.

The report devoted special attention to the attitudes of younger Australians in relation to antisemitism. Research commissioned by Segal’s office found “a stark divide between Australians under 35 and those over 35, reflecting generational differences in media consumption and the perceptions younger Australians’ have of the Middle East and the Jewish community.

“There also appear to be generational differences in the understanding of the Holocaust and its impacts on society. These differences in attitude to Jewish Australians and to the existence of the State of Israel have informed many of the elements in this plan,” the report added.

Other proposals in Segal’s strategy include:

The Envoy will develop and launch a university report card, assessing each university’s implementation of effective practices and standards to combat antisemitism, including complaints systems and best practice policies.

A commission of inquiry into campus antisemitism, including the sources of funding for organised clusters of antisemitism, will be commissioned by the federal government “if systemic problems remain in universities by the start of the 2026 academic year”.

The envoy will monitor media organisations to encourage accurate and fair reporting and to avoid accepting false or distorted narratives.

The Australian government must establish a clear national understanding of antisemitism across all areas of state and federal government responsibility. It calls for the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism across all levels of government, public institutions and regulatory bodies.

The report advises the re-establishment of a Jewish Arts and Cultural Council to advise the Minister for the Arts on cultural vibrancy initiatives.

It also encourages and assists Australian cultural institutions to re-engage with Jewish creatives and members of the Jewish community.

It calls for a review, and where appropriate, strengthening of federal, state and territory legislation addressing antisemitic and other hateful or intimidating conduct.

The report proposes looking at the UK Online Safety Act and the Digital Services Act in the EU, to assess their effectiveness and the desirability of implementing similar measures in Australia.

It calls for increased transparency of moderation decisions and establishing regulatory parameters for algorithms; while also working with platforms to reduce the presence or influence of ‘bots’ that deliberately sow social discord and to reduce the reach of those who peddle hate behind a veil of anonymity.

“Online platforms are major vectors of hate, particularly for those aged under 35,” the report notes. “Change is required to ensure platforms address antisemitic content swiftly and effectively. Algorithms must be transparent and prevent the amplification of online hate.”

Speaking at the media conference alongside Segal, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not commit the government to implement everything in the report but said his government would “work constructively with the envoy".

“There is a number of things in here that we are doing,” Albanese said. “There’s a number of things that can be implemented quickly.”

“There are a number of things that will require work over a period of time. Part of the recommendations is that we will receive an annual report, and part of that will be an assessment of progress on these issues.”

The opposition has welcomed the Envoy’s plan to combat antisemitism but called for “clarity” from the Albanese government on which of the recommended measures it intends to enact. “We note that when the prime minister was asked directly if he would commit to implementing the plan in full he refused to do so,” its statement read.

“Despite being willing to launch the plan today, it is not clear which measures the Albanese government supports and which it does not. Australians deserve some clarity on this.”

Australian universities, which were the focus of some of the most controversial proposals in the report, have pledged to “work constructively’’ with the federal government to stamp out antisemitism on campus.

“Universities are committed to fostering respectful, inclusive and safe environments for all students and staff," said Universities Australia chief executive Luke Sheehy.

“Racism has absolutely no place in Australia’s universities, and our sector condemns it in all forms. Academic freedom and freedom of expression are core to the university mission, but they must be exercised with responsibility and never as a cover for hate or harassment."

Mr Sheehy said universities had been working constructively with Ms Segal. “This is a significant body of work, and we’ll work closely with our members as we consider the recommendations," he said.

The Independent Member for Wentworth, Allegra Spender, whose seat has the largest Jewish population in Australia, urged the government to “act with urgency” on Segal’s report. “In particular, there needs to be a strong focus on law reform and investing in education, interfaith engagement and promoting positive stories about Jewish culture and life."

Spender said “there is a deep sense of fear and anxiety building in our Jewish community right now, so I will continue to advocate and hold the government to account. There is no place for antisemitism in our country – all Australians, including our Jewish community, deserve to thrive.”

CLICK HERE TO READ THE REPORT IN FULL