Adelaide University editor sacked
Habibah Jaghoori, the editor of Adelaide University’s On Dit magazine and the author of an article published in the magazine in August which called for “Death to Israel”, has been removed as the magazine’s editor by YouX, the University’s elected Student Union.
Habibah Jaghoori Photo: Facebook
A source who was present at the meeting of YouX, which voted to remove Jaghoori as editor on Tuesday night, reported that the reasons for her removal related to her conduct at a student meeting following the publication of the article, during which Jaghoori reportedly taunted Jewish students who were present by repeating “Death to Israel” several times.
YouX also voted to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition of Antisemitism.
ECAJ co-CEO, Peter Wertheim, welcomed both of the YouX decisions as “a decisive repudiation of the violent, hate-filled rhetoric against Israel and the Jewish people which masquerades as free speech”. Wertheim called on the University administration to “show leadership” by “adopting IHRA as a standard to be used in applying its existing rules of conduct when complaints of antisemitism are made to it”.
“There is something clearly wrong with a campus culture that produces the kind of discourse we saw published in On Dit, and the University bears ultimate responsibility for the culture it fosters on its campus. We look forward to the university itself taking action specifically to address antisemitism on campus”, Wertheim said.
Wertheim commended the Student Union for its decisions and praised AUJS representatives and the Jewish students on campus for their efforts in bringing about this result. “They have shown grit and determination, and it has paid off. We can all be proud of them” he concluded.
The YouX Board made the decision to remove Habibah Jaghoori from her position as an On Dit Editor following an investigation by the YouX Student Media Independent Committee.
The Committee found that Jaghoori’s recent public conduct ‘would reasonably be perceived by any fair-minded person to be threatening the welfare of students at our University. It is important to clarify that this finding is not against her article For Palestine, there is No Ceasefire, the investigation specifically related to her conduct and behaviour since the article’s publication’.
The report by the committee stated: “Despite numerous opportunities to clarify her position and dispel any misinterpretation, she has continued to use language in public forums that can be clearly construed to support actions that could threaten the welfare of students.”
It added: “We understand that differences of opinion will always exist amongst individuals and groups at a University of our size. We value diversity but advocate for respectful and constructive debate.”
Dr Colin Rubenstein, executive director of The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council, added: “We commend YouX for taking these important steps, which send a strong message about what is and what isn’t appropriate behaviour on campus, and should allow Jewish students to feel more comfortable.
We appreciate that Jaghoori’s removal as editor was due to her appalling behaviour at a meeting called to discuss her article, where she abused Jewish students including repeating several times ‘death to Israel’. Nevertheless, we hope her removal will lead to a more responsible and less discriminatory editorial direction from the paper – one that is guided by the IHRA definition.
It is now time for the University Administration to make a strong stand in support of the YouX decision and to also adopt the IHRA definition,” Dr Rubenstein concluded.
Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler welcomed the news. “The original article, plus the outrageous commentary the former On Dit editor has made since she published it, has further contributed to a situation where Jews were made to feel unsafe on campus,” he said. “This was the only sensible outcome, and I welcome YouX’s decision.”
Mr Leibler also commended YouX for voting to incorporate the IHRA working definition of antisemitism into its roles and responsibilities rules. “The working definition is an important educational tool,” said Mr Leibler. “YouX’s decision to incorporate the working definition into its guidelines shows that it is taking its responsibility for student well-being seriously. I once again call on the University to also adopt the definition.”
Mr Leibler congratulated AUJS and the Jewish students at Adelaide University. “I salute their courage and steadfastness in the face of hate, and their efforts to push back against antisemitic hate speech.”
In a statement, the Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) =said that Jewish students can find comfort that their University’s Student board stands up to racist and bigoted language. They can be relieved that YouX has heard their concerns and has allowed them to define their own experience of antisemitism.
We look forward to constructively working together with YouX and the University to educate the student body on antisemitism, to combat hate in all its forms and to make sure campus is a welcoming and inclusive space for all.
AUJS Vice President Alissa Foster said: “This decision by the YouX board sends a strong and important message to all students; hateful and divisive language has no place on campus. After being ignored and spoken over, Jewish students can feel relieved that their experiences and concerns have been heard and recognised:
University of Adelaide Jewish student Jonathan Iadarola said: “Antisemitism is on a rise in Australia and I, alongside my fellow Jewish students, feel unsafe on campus. Habibah’s comments incite violence and normalise hate speech toward a minority group. This should never be tolerated, and her dismissal by the YouX Board is indicative of this. However, it is necessary for our institutions to take responsibility for their students’ safety and well-being as well. The leadership of the University of Adelaide’s silence is deafening. “
Jasmine Munn McDonnell, a Jewish PhD student at the University of Adelaide has embraced the YouX board’s decision to adopt IHRA. She said ” It is a meaningful and tangible step taken to ensure Jews on campus feel heard and safe. Adelaide has a very small Jewish population, and many people outside of the Jewish community lack the language and the tools to be able to recognise antisemitism when it occurs.”
