Jewish Coalition Opposes Anti-Democratic Antisemitism Plan, Calls for United, Whole-of Society Approach New Victorian Protest Laws Still Threaten Democracy
November 14, 2025
The Jewish Council of Australia joins a coalition of nine Jewish organisations in releasing an open letter urging the Australian Government to reject the plan proposed by Australia’s Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism (ASECA plan). It warns that the plan risks undermining Australia’s democratic freedoms like freedom of expression and will not combat antisemitism effectively.
The Jewish coalition recognises the presence and threat of antisemitism and urges the government to address it as part of a comprehensive response to religious and racial hatred in Australia, rather than in isolation.
The Jewish organisations, including the Jewish Council of Australia, Australian Jewish Democratic Society and others – supported by civil society, faith and community organisations – warn that adopting the ASECA plan would have an adverse impact on Australia’s democracy, multiculturalism and human rights. The plan conflates antisemitism with legitimate criticism of the State of Israel, threatens freedom of political speech, proposes actions in isolation from addressing other forms of racism and discrimination, and is an undemocratic, punitive framework that risks exacerbating instead of combating antisemitism.
The following Jewish organisations have signed the open letter:
• Australian Jewish Democratic Society
• Doykeit Magandjin
• Emet Australia
• Jewish Council of Australia
• Jewish Voices of Inner Sydney
• Jewish Women for Peace Action Ready Group
• Jews Against the Occupation ‘48
• Jews for Justice
• Jews for Palestine WA
The signatories invite dialogue with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Home Affairs Tony Burke, Minister for Multicultural Affairs Dr Anne Aly and the Attorney-General, Michelle Rowland, to discuss constructive, inclusive approaches that make all communities safer and strengthen multiculturalism in Australia.
The Jewish groups call on the Government to:
• Reject the Special Envoy’s Plan,
• Not adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism, which has been used to conflate antisemitism with criticism of the State of Israel,
• Fund and implement the Australian Human Rights Commission’s National Anti-Racism Framework, and
• Not grant the Special Envoy enforcement, monitoring or reporting powers.
The letter states:
“We question the need for a Special Envoy role, particularly given that existing mechanisms – including those within the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) National Anti-Racism framework – provide a potential holistic, evidence-based approach to combating all forms of racism, including antisemitism.”
“Combating antisemitism requires addressing racism in all its forms. The best path forward is one that brings communities together – not one that divides or suppresses legitimate public discourse.”
The open letter is backed by #OzJewsSayNo. Civil society, faith and community organisations supporting the letter include:
• Amnesty International Australia
• Australia Palestine Advocacy Network
• Australian Fairness Advocacy Network
• Australian Federation of Islamic Councils
• Australian Lawyers for Human Rights
• Christians for Peace Newcastle
• Coalition of Women for Justice and Peace
• Coming Together
• Friends of Sabeel Australia
• GetUp!
• Human Rights Law Centre
• Islamic Council of New South Wales
• Justice and Equity Centre
• Liberty Victoria
• Muslim Aid Australia
• Muslim Collective
• NSW Council for Civil Liberties
• Palestine Action Group
• Palestine Israel Ecumenical Network
• Palestinian Christians in Australia
• Sydney Peace Foundation
• Wellspring Community of Australia
Dr Larry Stillman, Australian Jewish Democratic Society said:
“None of us dispute the presence of antisemitism in Australia, but this report serves a particular foreign policy orientation, defending the Israeli government at all costs. The deference to IHRA is egregious, and the report is marred by its use of highly contestable data.
There are issues around antisemitism and misconceptions about the Jewish community in Australia that demand specific strategies. But such strategies cannot be isolated from the need to combat racism in all its forms. This includes working to counter right wing hate groups that have increasing influence. That the Special Envoy has refused to speak out against neo-Nazis, despite recent incidents, is of particular concern”.
Dr Max Kaiser, Executive Officer, Jewish Council of Australia said:
“Jillian Segal’s plan was not developed through broad consultation with the Jewish community. It rebadges the agenda of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, a body known for its relentless and unconditional support of the State of Israel. This is not a genuine antisemitism strategy – it is a political project aimed at shielding Israel from criticism.
Australians are rightly appalled by Israel’s ongoing violations of human rights and international law. Jillian Segal’s plan; to censor the media, defund universities and the arts, and police political speech will not make Jews safer. Trying to teach Australians that criticism of Israel is antisemitism will only deepen division and isolate our community. Aligning with an oppressive regime endangers, rather than protects, Australian Jews.”
Vivien Encel, Jews for Palestine WA said:
“We are deeply concerned that Jewish groups like ours, along with other groups who express solidarity with the cause of the Palestinian people, could be silenced by the IHRA definition of antisemitism in our legitimate criticisms of Israel’s violations of international law. We consider the growth of a neo-Nazi movement in Australia a much greater danger to Australian Jews than political statements criticising actions and policies of the State of Israel, and we are alarmed at the failure of the Envoy to speak up about this threat.”
Jesse McNicoll, Jewish Voices of Inner Sydney said:
“Australian Jews who value justice for all people are deeply concerned about the proposal to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism. This definition purposefully blurs the line between real antisemitism and legitimate criticism of the State of Israel. Around the world the IHRA definition has been used to silence debate, and we are alarmed to see attempts here in Australia to use it to suppress scrutiny of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank.
Nazis are marching on our streets, fanning the flames of racism – masquerading as discontent about immigration. We urgently need the government to fund a whole-of-community anti-racism framework to stop these groups in their tracks.”
Judith Treanor, Jews Against the Occupation ‘48 said:
“Jillian Segal’s role as ‘Envoy for Antisemitism’ exceptionalises Jews and undermines the fight against all racism. True anti-racism means standing in solidarity with all racialised groups, not creating hierarchies of discrimination. That’s why we endorse the Australian Human Rights Commission’s comprehensive anti discrimination framework — a whole-of-society approach that unites communities instead of dividing them. Segal’s silence in the face of neo-Nazi rallies, alongside her efforts to silence those speaking out against Israel’s genocide of Palestinians, exposes an agenda that has nothing to do with justice or equality.”
Steph Cunio, Jewish Women for Peace Action Ready Group said:
“Racism is racism. Racism and religious bigotry is experienced by many of us across the breadth of this country. The best way to counter this sad reality is to stand together with First Nations Australians and other migrant groups, not to isolate ourselves in a geographical and ideological corner.”
Rosie Heselev, Jews for Justice said:
“Calls to dismantle systems of oppression must not be mistaken for prejudice against Jewish people. Jewish ethics, rooted in our histories of struggle and survival, compel us to oppose oppression and speak out against injustice.”
Emet Australia said:
“Antisemitism is a real and serious issue within Australian society – as well as all other forms of racism. Emet agrees that any approach to thoroughly combatting racism can only occur within the framework of a human rights approach, which does not abide the sort of heavy handed enforcement and legal pedestaling that the current envoy suggests. Jillian Segal’s plan does not reflect the fundamental diversity of Jewish opinion and voices, and at minimum requires significant revision.” is a partial victory for civil society, and for the more than 1,000 Australian Jews who signed our petition calling on the government to drop these anti-democratic measures.
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