Islamophobia & Antisemitism - The Policy Future

📘 KEY SEGAL RECOMMENDATIONS

• University and Arts Funding: Institutions that fail to address antisemitism could lose government funding. A scorecard system would assess performance, and a judicial inquiry may follow if issues persist.
• Media Oversight: Public broadcasters like ABC and SBS would be monitored to avoid “false or distorted narratives” about Jews.
• Education Reform: Holocaust and antisemitism education would be embedded in national, Catholic, and independent school curricula.
• Immigration Screening: Visa applicants could be screened for antisemitic views; non-citizens involved in antisemitism may face deportation.
• Online Regulation: Social media algorithms would be scrutinized to prevent amplification of hate and misinformation.
• Legal Changes: Strengthening hate crime laws and expanding protections against antisemitic speech and demonstrations.

Community Reaction

Supportive Voices

• Mainstream Jewish organisations (ECAJ, AIJAC, ZFA) strongly endorsed the plan, calling it “well-considered,” “urgent,” and a “milestone” for Jewish safety.
• Government figures like PM Albanese and Minister Tony Burke welcomed the report but stopped short of endorsing all recommendations.
• Universities Australia acknowledged the need for responsibility in academic freedom and are reviewing the proposals.

Critical and Cautious Responses

• Broad concerns about the definition of antisemitism being canvassed, and whether it permits legitimate criticism of actions of the Israeli government.
. Whether the impact on academic freedom is reasonable or not.
. The Jewish Council of Australia and New Israel Fund Australia raised concerns about censorship, overreach, and conflation of antisemitism with criticism of Israel.
• Legal experts and media commentators questioned the practicality and legality of defunding institutions and monitoring editorial content.
• Progressive Jewish voices warned the plan could deepen divisions and erode civil liberties under the guise of Jewish safety.

Current Status

• The government is considering the recommendations, with no firm commitments yet.
• The plan has become a flashpoint for broader debates on racism, free speech, and institutional accountability.
• Segal herself has faced scrutiny over a donation from her husband’s trust to a right-wing group, prompting questions about impartiality.

📘 ISLAMOPHOBIA IN AUSTRALIA (2023–2024)

• Published on 13 March 2025 by the Islamophobia Register Australia, in partnership with Monash and Deakin Universities.
• Timed to coincide with the UN International Day for Combatting Islamophobia and the anniversary of the Christchurch terror attack.
• Based on over 600 incidents reported between January 2023 and November 2024, including in-person assaults, online abuse, and threats.

Key Findings

• Muslim women were disproportionately targeted—75% of all incidents involved women and girls.
• Verbal abuse was the most common form, followed by physical assaults and online threats.
• A significant spike followed the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack, with anti-Palestinian sentiment contributing to the rise.
• Pro-Palestinian symbols (like keffiyehs or flags) were often triggers for abuse, even among non-Muslim allies.
• The report includes a dedicated chapter on anti-Palestinian racism, marking a first in the Register’s history.

Recommendations

• Recognition of Islamophobia as a gendered form of abuse.
• Mandatory awareness training in schools and workplaces.
• Specialised police training and improved hate crime reporting.
• Media guidelines to prevent harmful narratives.
• Funding for culturally appropriate mental health support.

Political Response

• Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi has urged the government to act, citing a lack of urgency in addressing anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian racism.
• The report has been submitted to the Special Envoy to Combat Islamophobia, a federal role created in 2023 to mirror efforts against antisemitism.

This report is seen as a counterbalance to the Segal recommendations, and many civil society groups are calling for both to be considered together to ensure equity in anti-racism policy.

THE POLICY FUTURE

It remains to be seen just how much new regulation the Federal Government thinks it needs to introduce in responding to the recommendations in these reports rather than ensure existing regulations are enforced and public awareness campaigns and education curricula designed to respond to racism and antisemitism in Australia are revised to reflect the circumstances of the current Middle East geo-political settings and the challenges they create for many Australians.

Fremantle Shipping News holds the view that special attention should be given to the critical and cautious responses to the Segal recommendations we have noted above, as well as a similar approach to the recommendations in the Islamophobia Register Australia 2025.

* By Michael Barker, Editor, Fremantle Shipping News