Australia’s two public broadcasters have drawn a line in the sand. They will not use the definition of antisemitism adopted by the Royal Commission investigating social cohesion. Their reason is independence. Their decision is already drawing fire.
The ABC and SBS have both refused to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism, which the Royal Commission announced in February it would apply to its inquiry. The royal commission was established after December’s Bondi antisemitic terror attack, in which two gunmen opened fire on Jews attending a beachside Hanukkah celebration, killing 15 people and injuring 40 others.
The ABC said it does not disagree with the underlying concept of antisemitism. But it has a longstanding practice to “develop its own editorial policies and guidance to ensure independence and maintain public trust.” The broadcaster noted that its existing guidance on hate speech is “clear and unambiguous,” including the principle that legitimate criticism of the State of Israel or the actions of some Israelis becomes antisemitism only when the target shifts from “Israel” to “Jews.”
The Definitional Divide
The IHRA definition, which is used by many groups, including in Australia, defines antisemitism as “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.” It has been criticized by some — including sections of the Jewish and Palestinian communities — for appearing to conflate criticism of Israel with antisemitism.
The ABC acknowledged that the IHRA’s core definition is “not inconsistent” with its own understanding. But the broadcaster pointed to the series of illustrative examples accompanying the definition, which it said: “have become increasingly contentious and are widely regarded as ambiguous.”
“The ABC considers it essential that these policies remain ABC policies, which are developed, owned and applied independently, rather than externally imposed definitions or frameworks,” the broadcaster said in a statement first reported by Nine. “We note these matters are before the Royal Commission and, notwithstanding our obligation to independence we look forward to any findings it may make.”
SBS has also not adopted the IHRA definition. Its internal style guide states that antisemitism is prejudice or discrimination against Jewish people. “SBS acknowledges there are diverse definitions of antisemitism and does not adopt or endorse any one organisation’s definition,” the broadcaster said. “SBS’s role is to report on these issues in a balanced and impartial way.”
The Royal Commission’s Position
Inquiry commissioner Virginia Bell has clarified that “it is uncontroversial that criticism of the policies that may be pursued by the government of Israel from time to time is not of itself antisemitic.” That clarification was intended to address concerns that the IHRA definition might be used to silence legitimate political speech.
Last week, the royal commission heard from Dr. Dave Rich, policy director of the Community Security Trust, a UK-registered charity that protects British Jews from antisemitism. Rich said antisemitism is “prejudice, discrimination, hostility or hatred towards Jewish people, Jewish organisations, Jewish institutions, or people perceived to be Jewish.” He added that “holding Jews collectively responsible for the actions of the state of Israel is the justification provided by terrorists who murder Jews around the world.”
The Broader Context
The ABC’s decision comes as war and conflict in the Middle East dominate complaints to the broadcaster. The subject made up 26% of all complaints to the ABC ombudsman last year — more than any other issue. SBS has also faced pressure, including over its decision not to boycott the Eurovision song contest because Israel was allowed to compete, citing its commitment to impartiality.
The next block of royal commission hearings will start on Monday, May 25, and will focus on the conduct of security agencies. The ABC and SBS have said they will await the commission’s findings. But they have already made their position clear: they will not outsource their editorial judgment on antisemitism to any external body.
The Bottom Line
The ABC and SBS have refused to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism used by Australia’s Royal Commission into social cohesion. The ABC said it will rely on its own internal editorial guidance on hate speech to maintain its independence. SBS similarly said it does not adopt or endorse any single organization’s definition. The royal commission was established after the Bondi antisemitic terror attack in December, which killed 15 people and injured 40 others.
The IHRA definition has been criticized by some for conflating legitimate criticism of Israel with antisemitism. Inquiry commissioner Virginia Bell has clarified that criticism of Israeli government policies is not itself antisemitic. The ABC acknowledged that the core definition is consistent with its own understanding but said the accompanying illustrative examples are “ambiguous” and “contentious.”
The broadcasters are standing their ground. Whether the royal commission will push back — and whether the public accepts their reasoning — is the next chapter in Australia’s ongoing debate over antisemitism, free speech, and editorial independence.
