ABC to use own hate speech guidance rather than controversial antisemitism definition used by Bondi royal commission

The ABC has chosen not to adopt the definition of antisemitism used by the Bondi royal commission and will use its internal editorial guidance on hate speech instead, in order to maintain its independence.

The royal commission on antisemitism and social cohesion announced in February that the inquiry would apply the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism.

The royal commission was established in the wake of December’s Bondi massacre, in which two antisemitic gunmen opened fire on Jews attending a beachside Hanukah celebration, killing 15 people and injuring 40 others.

The controversial 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 criticised by some, including sections of the Jewish and Palestinian communities, for seeming to conflate criticism of Israel with antisemitism.

The ABC said it does not disagree with the underlying concept of antisemitism, but it has a longstanding ABC practice to “develop its own editorial policies and guidance to ensure independence and maintain public trust”.

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While adopting the IHRA definition, inquiry commissioner Virginia Bell has clarified 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”.

In a statement first reported by Nine, the ABC said it accepts that many organisations may find the IHRA definition useful and choose to use it but the broadcaster had chosen not to adopt it.

“The ABC’s 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 when the target shifts from ‘Israel’ to ‘Jews’,” the ABC said.

“The ABC notes that the IHRA’s core definition – ‘antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews’ – is not inconsistent with the ABC’s understanding or practical application of antisemitism.”

The ABC said it was the series of illustrative examples which had become increasingly contentious and were widely regarded as ambiguous.

The ABC said its editorial policies are the result of widespread consultation with external experts and community organisations.