Virginia Bell, the head of the Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, delivered her opening address on February 24 and it confirmed our worst fears.

She said the commission will use as its frame, the much-contested International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. This, in combination with the so-called “hate” laws being adopted federally and state by state, will give license for criticism of Israel to be deemed antisemitic.

Bell wrongly asserts that the definition itself is “uncontroversial”, but acknowledges two of the 11 examples that accompany it have drawn criticism. In fact, seven of the examples refer to Israel. One explicitly defends Zionism, asserting that antisemitism includes: “Denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination, eg. By claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavour.”

Professor David Feldman, Director of the London Birkbeck Institute for the Study of Antisemitism, believes this is why this IHRA definition is dangerous because it suggests criticism of Israel and support for Palestinian rights are antisemitic.

“Since its birth Israel has systematically discriminated against its Palestinian population. Today Israel denies equality to Palestinians both within and beyond the country’s legal borders.”

Further,........

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