March 20, 2025
Dear Supporters and friends,
As we watch Israel’s renewed bombardment of Gaza with a sense of helplessness and grief, there is a concrete action we can take.
To the many of you who are students, staff and alumni of Australian universities, we need your help! (And to make helping easy, we’ve included Jewish and non-Jewish templates at the bottom of this post.)
You may have heard that Universities Australia recently endorsed a dangerous and politicised definition of antisemitism. The Jewish Council opposes the definition because it threatens academic freedom, will have a chilling effect on legitimate criticism of Israel, and risks institutionalising anti-Palestinian racism.
Universities Australia has asked the national university regulator, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), to look at incorporating the definition into regulation. Some universities are now in the process of adopting or considering adopting the definition — but if we act together in this crucial window, we can turn this definition into a dead letter that is never implemented.
Here’s how you can help us push back today!
Let’s make it clear that universities should be places where difficult conversations can happen without fear of censorship or reprisal, where Israel (or any other state) is not shielded from criticism, and where injustice, at home and abroad, is called out.
The Jewish Council of Australia
______________________________________________
Send your email to:
______________________________________________
Pro forma letter for Jewish supporters
Dear [name of VC/Dean],
I am a proud Jewish person [working / studying / alumni] at [University]. I am writing to urge you not to adopt the dangerous and politicised definition of antisemitism recently developed by the Group of Eight (Go8) universities and adopted by Universities Australia.
The new definition was endorsed without any meaningful consultation with Jewish groups who are critical of Israel or Palestinian groups.
It threatens academic freedom, will stifle political debate, and risks institutionalising anti-Palestinian racism by categorising Palestinian political expressions as inherently antisemitic. The Jewish Council of Australia has slammed the definition as 'dangerous, political and unworkable' here. The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network has rightfully stated that the definition is 'an attack on Palestinians and everyone who supports them' here.
As a Jewish person who is critical of Israel and the political ideology of Zionism, this definition will not make me any safer, in fact, it makes me less safe. The definition dangerously conflates Jewish identities with support for the state of Israel and the political ideology of Zionism. By adopting it, universities will be taking and promoting a view that a national political ideology is a core part of Judaism. This is not only inaccurate but is also dangerous and risks fomenting antisemitism.
Giving space to a diverse range of voices and standing up for others experiencing injustice are central tenants within Jewish beliefs and traditions. This new definition of antisemitism will not only stifle Jewish approaches to debate, research and ethics, but it will also put at risk any Jewish and non-Jewish students and academics who support or discuss Palestinian rights and sovereignty, including in their classes or research.
I urge [University name] to publicly reject this exceptionalist definition of antisemitism and commit to upholding free academic inquiry while strengthening anti-racism codes of conduct as a way to combat racism in all of its forms and without hierarchisation. The role of Universities is to support academic freedom and rigorous critique and debate without fear, threat, or enforced systems of silencing.
Sincerely,
...
______________________________________________
Dear [name of VC/Dean],
I [work / study / am an alumni] at [University]. I am writing to urge you not to adopt the dangerous and politicised definition of antisemitism recently developed by the Group of Eight (Go8) universities and adopted by Universities Australia.
The new definition was endorsed without any meaningful consultation with Palestinian groups or Jewish groups who are critical of Israel.
I have concerns about the way it threatens academic freedom, will stifle political debate, and will institutionalise anti-Palestinian racism by categorising Palestinian political expression as inherently antisemitic. The Jewish Council of Australia has slammed the definition as 'dangerous, political and unworkable', and stated that it 'risks fomenting antisemitism' here. The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network has rightfully stated that the definition is 'an attack on Palestinians and everyone who supports them' here.
The definition threatens to stifle critical conversations around Palestinian rights and sovereignty, including in classrooms and research. Universities should foster rigorous inquiry, not impose restrictions that silence academics and students. By conflating Jewish identity with support for the state of Israel and political ideology of Zionism, the definition not only erases diverse Jewish perspectives, but also endangers both Palestinian voices and Jewish individuals who oppose Israeli policies.
I urge [University name] to publicly reject this exceptionalist definition of antisemitism and commit to upholding free academic inquiry while strengthening anti-racism codes of conduct as a way to combat racism in all of its forms and without hierarchisation.The role of Universities is to support academic freedom and rigorous critique and debate without fear, threat, or enforced systems of silencing.
Sincerely,
...
