This week, the federal government joined 27 other nations in condemning Israel’s “drip-feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic need of water and food”. That same government’s own antisemitism envoy, Jillian Segal, also published a report which proposed that universities, arts organisations and perhaps even public broadcasters should have funding stripped if they “engage in or facilitate antisemitism”.

This raises a question: if the words of the Australian government came instead from an academic, or artist at a festival, would it risk their public funding? The government is making grave allegations against Israel – ones that enrage its Israeli and American counterparts. It’s possible some people could misuse those allegations to bolster their hatred of Jews, especially in the cesspit of social media. Could the government’s words be taken to “facilitate antisemitism” under their own envoy’s plan?

Australia has joined 27 other nations in condemning Israel’s “drip-feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic need of water and food”. This image was taken in Gaza City on Tuesday.Credit: Anadolu via Getty Images

Personally, I think not. Trump and Netanyahu might disagree. And that’s a worry.

The definition of antisemitism Segal wants used to determine when institutions fall foul of it – drafted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance – states “criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic”.

Accordingly, those suggesting the envoy’s report condemns all criticism of Israel as antisemitism overstate the position. But the trouble is it’s very difficult to know by how far. By what........

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