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The City Council of Bayside, Australia, unanimously passed a measure last week adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism.
Bayside, a southern suburb of Melbourne, is the second local council in the state of Victoria to have adopted the definition.
The measure was initiated by Councillor Robert Irlicht (Beazly Ward), who recently attended the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM)-organized Australian Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism in Gold Coast, where a key focal point was educating participants on the importance of the IHRA definition as a tool in the fight against rising Jew-hatred.
More than 250 local leaders, representing nearly 100 municipal councils, took part in the summit, which was chaired by Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.
Over 1,200 entities — including international, national, and local governing authorities, civic bodies, NGOs, educational institutions, athletic leagues and clubs, and corporations — worldwide have adopted or endorsed the IHRA definition since 2016.
Following the passage of the motion, CAM received the following message from Councillor Irlicht:
Dear Australian Board of the Combat Antisemitism Movement and City of Gold Coast,
Thank you for your heartfelt message and for organising the first-ever Australian Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism. It was an immense honour to participate, and I am deeply grateful to Mayor Tom Tate, the City Council members, and the staff of the City of Gold Coast for their gracious hospitality in hosting the Summit and its opening reception. The collective strength and commitment displayed by local government leaders was truly inspiring, reinforcing our shared mission to foster understanding, tolerance, and unity in the face of rising antisemitism.
I’m thrilled to share that, since the Summit, I successfully raised and passed Motion 349 at Bayside City Council on September 16, 2025. This motion formally recognises the alarming rise of antisemitism, adopts the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, and commits to developing a framework to combat this growing threat. The motion passed unanimously before a packed gallery, a testament to our community’s resolve. This victory came despite significant pushback from far-left radical fringe Jewish groups and others, whose protests inside and outside the chamber necessitated a strong police presence and private security. Far from deterring us, their actions only strengthened my determination to act, a resolve directly inspired by the learnings and inspiration from the Summit.
We are now taking proactive steps forward, collaborating closely with our neighbouring City of Glen Eira to establish a combined action plan to combat antisemitism across our region. This partnership will amplify our efforts to ensure our communities remain safe and inclusive for all.
Thank you again for hosting me at this invaluable Summit. The knowledge and connections gained there were pivotal to our success in Bayside, and I look forward to further involvement with the Combat Antisemitism Movement as we continue this critical work together.
Warm regards,
Robert Irlicht
CAM commends Councillor Irlicht for his initiative and hopes other councils across Australia will be inspired by Bayside’s action and follow its lead.
A summary video featuring highlights of the Australian Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism can be viewed HERE:
