Australia’s antisemitism envoy has told the Albanese government to strip funding from universities, charities and cultural institutions that fail to combat hatred against Jewish people. Source: Sydney Morning Herald.
The landmark report was delivered by Jillian Segal yesterday and is in response to a rise in antisemitic incidents, including an alleged arson attack at a Melbourne synagogue on Friday and the firebombing of a Jewish childcare centre in Sydney’s east in January.
Ms Segal said publicly funded institutions, like universities and cultural bodies and broadcasters, will be expected to uphold consistent standards and demonstrate accountability in fighting antisemitism.
The report recommends that the Government withhold funding from cultural institutions and universities that do not tackle antisemitism. It also says people with antisemitic views should be barred from Australia, and charities that promote antisemitism should be denied the ability to receive tax-deductible gifts.
Mr Albanese said the Government would consider Ms Segal’s recommendations. He said there were a number of things in the report that the Government was already doing and a number of things that could be implemented quickly. Others would “require work over a period of time”.
The report also recommends putting Holocaust and antisemitism education in the national school curriculum, and the envoy will also monitor media organisations “to encourage accurate, fair and responsible reporting”.
The report recommends that Australian governments should require all public institutions to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Association’s definition of antisemitism. The definition has been embraced by Jewish groups and some parts of the Australian Government for its clarity and breadth, but attacked by critics, who argue it stifles free speech and conflates criticism of Israel with antisemitism.
FULL STORY
Funding threat for universities, cultural institutions over antisemitism failures (By Olivia Ireland, SMH)
RELATED COVERAGE
Anti-Semitism plan: universities, artists to be stripped of funding (The Australian)
Antisemitism plan would strip funding from unis, arts events who fail to fight Jewish hate (ABC News)
Universities and artists face funding threat under antisemitism plan being considered by Australian government (Guardian Australia)
