NSW Labor votes against BDS and supports the IHRA definition of “antisemitism.
The NSW ALP State Conference has rejected the party’s BDS campaign and has adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism.
Byron Danby
NSW Labor Israel Action Committee welcomed the resolution, saying it was a “common sense and balanced endorsement” of Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese and NSW Labor leader Chris Minns unequivocal and principled positions on Israel and the Middle East.
Minutes after the conference, NSW Labor frontbencher and NSW LIAC patron Walt Secord tweeted: “As NSW Labor Israel Action Committee patron, wonderful to see that this year’s NSW Labor conference adopt – unopposed – Albo’s support for IHRA definition of antisemitism and his principled rejection of the vile BDS movement”.
In recent months, both Mr Albanese and Mr Minns declared their views rejecting the BDS campaign.
On May 11, Mr Minns told State Parliament’s Legislative Assembly that he opposed the BDS movement.
The LIAC motions followed a July 13 zoom meeting with the Jewish community where Mr Albanese condemned antisemitism, boycotts of Israel and the apartheid slur and reiterated support for a Two-State solution. He also endorsed the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism.
He added: “The adoption of the IHRA definition on antisemitism demonstrates how seriously the NSW ALP takes its mission to build a harmonious multicultural NSW and reject all extremism from the far left and far right of politics.”
Former NSW Labor Minister in Eric Roozendal LIAC’s delegate to the conference and was instrumental in the BDS and IHRA decisions.
LIAC is a group within the NSW Labor Party that promotes a two-state solution and a balanced approach to Israel within the Labor movement.
The IHRA definition of antisemitism is “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
The CEO of The New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies Darren Bark told J-Wire: “We welcome this sensible and balanced approach by NSW Labor.
It is good to see the NSW Branch of the Labor Party endorse federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese’s position on the IHRA definition of antisemitism and rejection of the hateful and counterproductive BDS movement.
This follows NSW Labor leader Chris Minns’ opposition to the BDS movement earlier this year.”
