The decision by 39 Australian universities to adopt an extremely contested definition of anti-Semitism is a direct attack on fundamental freedoms, stifling freedom of speech, expression, assembly, academic debate, and protest.
This definition, that has been strongly opposed by groups such as the Jewish Council of Australia, will be adopted by campuses across Australia. It dangerously conflates legitimate criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism, weaponising accusations of racism to silence and repress student rights to protest and freedom of expression, rights that are protected under Articles 19 and 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It does nothing to uphold safety or combat discrimination and serves only to suppress student activism and restrict political expression.
Mohamed Duar, Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson, says:
“Policing freedom of speech, academic debate, and protest is not a solution to student safety— it is an outrageous and blatant act of repression where freedom of thought and academia should flourish. This dangerous definition will be used to silence students and staff alike, suppress protest, and shut down criticism of Israel’s genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, the unlawful brutal and unlawful military occupation as well as apartheid that we determined to be a crime against humanity.
“For generations, student protests have been at the centre of fundamental human rights struggles for generations and we must remember the historic role that students played in demanding civil rights in the USA, First Nations justice in Australia, the end to apartheid in South Africa and the end of the Iraq war. Student protests have been at the heart of human rights struggles and universities should champion, not crush, activism.
“By adopting this definition, universities will be characterising peaceful protest as a punishable offense. This sets a chilling precedent where students exercising their political rights are vilified and silenced.”
Mohamed Duar, Amnesty International Australia’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Spokesperson
“Amnesty unequivocally abhors anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and all forms of racism. But this definition does not uphold safety—it creates a double standard, prioritising the safety of one group while ignoring the real and rising threats of violence and discrimination against others. Making antisemitism an exceptional priority of universities fails to recognise the spike in Islamophobic racism, including the targeting of Muslim and Arab academics in right-wing media.
“If universities are truly committed to combating racism, they must adopt a comprehensive, rights-based approach, one that protects all students without eroding fundamental freedoms and rights.”
Universities exist to foster critical thought, open debate, and academic freedom. This decision is a betrayal of those principles. Amnesty International Australia urges universities to reject repression and uphold their duty to protect freedom of expression and protest.
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