The pros and cons of appointing an antisemitism coordinator

Simon Longstaff, executive director of the Ethics Centre

I am deeply disturbed by the significant surge in antisemitic behaviour and a resurgence in Islamophobia. I know that the phenomena are real – as I have heard personal testimony from friends. Furthermore, the world has seen how latent antisemitism, in particular, can metastasise into some of the worst evil that humanity is capable of.

Yet, despite this – and on balance – I think it would be a mistake for the federal government to create two new positions specially dedicated to addressing the pernicious effects of antisemitism and Islamophobia.

First, I think that singling out Jews and Muslims would inadvertently feed the narrative that these groups stand outside ordinary Australian society. This is an old trope, especially exploited by those who wish to whip up hatred against the Jewish people.

Second, I fear that the narrative of ‘privilege and exclusivity’ will be exacerbated by other groups whose experience is such that they feel they need equal, special attention.

Finally, I worry that the definition of what counts as antisemitic or Islamophobic behaviour would be so loose as to stifle reasonable debate. We have already seen how easy it is for, say, legitimate criticism of the actions of the Netanyahu government of Israel or the Islamic Republic of Iran to be condemned as “antisemitic” or “Islamophobic” respectively.

Everyone is harmed – and great wrongs are trivialised – when people use these words as rhetorical weapons to silence those who oppose their view with nothing more dangerous than legitimate arguments.