NEW YORK — The World Jewish Congress (WJC) congratulates the Australian government, and especially Special Envoy Jillian Segal AO, on the release of The Special Envoy’s Plan to Combat Antisemitism. This serious, comprehensive strategy meets the urgency of the moment and sets a strong example for democratic nations worldwide.
The plan outlines clear and concrete steps, including:
- Education reform, including the implementation of antisemitism awareness in schools and universities;
- Legal changes, such as strengthening hate speech laws and closing enforcement gaps;
- Visa screening, to keep out individuals who incite hatred;
- Institutional accountability, including linking government funding to how universities respond to antisemitism;
- Digital regulation, calling on platforms and media to take responsibility for online incitement.
The Plan to Combat Antisemitism is one of the most detailed national strategies to emerge in the post-October 7 climate. It addresses difficult questions, including how to hold major institutions accountable when they fail to protect Jewish Australians.
We commend Jillian Segal’s leadership in advancing this plan. Over the past year, she has helped to elevate antisemitism from a sidelined concern to a national priority, making clear that inaction is no longer an option.
The WJC urges the Australian government to adopt the recommendations in full and looks forward to sharing best practices in the Special Envoy & Coordinators Combating Antisemitism (SECCA) forum, a WJC initiative, as implementation begins.
This plan is more than policy. It is a public commitment to confronting hate, protecting communities and upholding democratic values. Australia has taken a real step forward – others must follow.
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