Antisemitism and holocaust denial on Australian university campuses
Leaflets which have been distributed at universities in New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT claiming that the Holocaust never happened have been referred to University authorities for investigation and led for calls for tougher action against racism on university campuses.
Seen in universities in Melbourne and Sydney
Since February hundreds of the leaflets have been left on campuses at Monash University Clayton, the University of Melbourne, the Australian National University, and the University of NSW. There are unconfirmed reports that the leaflets have been circulated at the University of Sydney.
Seen at the university in Perth
The leaflets assert that the Nazi genocide against Jewish and other communities during World War II never occurred, and that the overwhelming historical evidence of the Holocaust is “the greatest swindle of all time”.
According to the National Chairperson of the Australasian Union of Jewish Students, Michael Fisher, the distribution of the leaflets is “part of a co-ordinated campaign aimed at intimidating Jewish students and academics”.
“Although the leaflets are closely similar to one another in content and appearance, they have appeared in three slightly different forms, suggesting that there have been three separate print runs”.
Mr Fisher described the leaflets as “toxic propaganda” and “a contemptible attempt to abuse and isolate Jewish students and staff, many of whom lost family in the Holocaust and whose grandparents in Australia are survivors of the genocide”.
Mr Fisher identified “neo-Nazi groups” as the most likely authors and distributors of the leaflets.
“Additionally, at the University of Western Australia Crawley campus, there has been a spate of antisemitic graffiti featuring Nazi swastikas. At the University of Sydney graffiti has read “Kill Jews”.”
Seen in the University of Sydney
Mr Fisher also said that Jewish students have been in contact with the authorities at the ANU, and will be in contact with authorities at the other universities to seek an investigation and appropriate disciplinary action against the perpetrators.
“Everyone has the right to feel safe and welcome on campus. Australian universities must vigorously tackle the surge in antisemitism, and identify and punish the groups which are disseminating this poison.”
“It is vital that student bodies and university authorities work with Jewish groups to educate the student population on antisemitism and the destructive effects of racist hate speech”.
We all know 14 million were murdered in Nazi camps; including 8 million gentiles.
Universities are the dens of iniquity.
As a place of trained losers
Turns my stomach to read it.
Another good reason to do away with section 18C.