03 March 2025

Anti Zionism isn’t Antisemitism: Universities need to recognise the difference.

Academics for Palestine South Australia is opposed to all forms of racism, including Islamophobia and Antisemitism. We are very concerned about the political opportunism that is stoking social divisions and resulting in hasty policies and actions made in response to lobbying efforts from powerful interests, in the absence of full consultation.

It is in this context that we express our alarm and strong disappointment at the working definition of Antisemitism endorsed by our universities which allows for the conflation of the political ideology of Zionism and the State of Israel with Judaism and Jewish identities.

Enforcing this working definition will limit the capacity of scholars to study and criticise Israel’s policies and actions, and the ideology and practices of Zionism.

Anti-Zionism is not Antisemitism, and genuine Antisemitism must be addressed transparently without entrenching cultural intimidation.

We urge all Australian universities and Universities Australia to reconsider their decision to advocate such a flawed working definition and to unequivocally support academic freedom. 

We call on Australian Universities to not impede the capacities of academics to lead scholarly teaching, research and civic engagement that critically engages with the world, is ethical in its orientation and critical in its consciousness.

International law, international agencies such as the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, and international lawyers such as UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, have justifiably criticised the actions of Israel. The principles of academic freedom must also allow academics and students to engage at depth on these issues, including critical analyses of human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

We also note the utter lack of pro-active concern in the Australian university sector about the well-being and needs of the Palestinian, Arabic and Muslim staff, students and allies in this trying time of scholasticide and genocide.

Just as Antisemitism is to be condemned, it is equally vital that Universities Australia and all Australian universities act immediately to safeguard their staff and students against experiences of Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism.

Contact: academics4p.sa@gmail.com