Calls by Jewish Council for censorship will backfire

14 July 2025 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Calls by Jewish Council for censorship will backfire 

In response to the Australian Parliamentary Inquiry into Antisemitism in Universities that recently recommended limiting particular speech, the New Zealand Jewish Council has called for similar action by the New Zealand Government. But threatening to silence speech, as odious as some may find it, would set a dangerous precedent and be a terrible own goal for the Jewish community, says Dane Giraud, Council member of the Free Speech Union. 
 
"Objectively, the last 18 months have witnessed an intense rise in antisemitic actions around the world, not least of all in Australia and New Zealand. Some of these actions have been unlawful and unacceptable. However, conflating such actions with the speech and opinions of individuals (such as students on university campuses) will not make a single Jew (or any Kiwi) safer. 
 
“Calls by the New Zealand Jewish Council for our Government to implement similar recommendations such as stricter enforcement of ‘hate speech’ laws and removing funding from universities for failing to act against certain perspectives, is overreach and risks setting a terrifying precedent. It will affirm many conspiracies in certain people’s minds that will inevitably result in greater antagonism against our (Jewish) community. 
 
“As we’ve seen abroad, anyone who defies such bans can become a martyr or even cult hero. Censorship is a gift that can elevate the once obscure. Free speech is still our best tool with which to combat bigotry. There are no shortcuts here. We need to change the conversation, not crush it. 
 
“A better response to any incredibly fraught issue is to facilitate wider conversations, encourage greater engagement between communities, and increase a focus on education. There are some terrible ideas out there, spread by very questionable people, but silencing them will only push this grievance underground, where it festers, and where it becomes much harder for people to diagnose and respond appropriately. 
 
“Expose it to sunlight. Allow them their voice and ensure that those who wish to respond also have theirs. Bad (and hateful and vile) ideas are beaten by better ideas, not threats of funding removal and censorship.”