Education Minister Alan Tudge is calling for the federal government to adopt the international definition of Anti-semitism amidst a rise of violence against Australian Jews in the community.
At least forty nations across the globe have adopted the International Holocaust Rememberance Alliance’s definition, which classifies anti-semitism as ‘A certain perception of Jewish people, which may be expressed as hatred. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of anti-semitism are directed toward Jewish people, property, community institutions and religious facilities’.
The definition has received criticism from some academics and lawyers, who believe it could prohibit criticism of the Israeli government and its actions in Palestinian territories.