AUJS concerned about Sydney University’s newspaper
August 29, 2018 by J-Wire Newsdesk
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The University of Sydney student newspaper Honi Soit has published a flattering article on North Korea written by Jay Tharappel who has made his known his views on Jews and the Holocaust.
In a statement to J-Wire, AUJS wrote: “In 2018 alone, AUJS at USyd has received dozens of complaints from students. These incidents, coupled with a 9.5 percent rise in antisemitic incidents in 2017, are a sad reflection on our campuses, which can attract the most reprehensible forms of antisemitism.
Since Mr. Tharappel’s past controversial and antisemitic comments are public knowledge, AUJS is concerned the editors acted irresponsibly and failed to exercise due diligence in providing him a platform. AUJS is further troubled by reports from its students that upon contacting Honi Soit to register their complaints, the editors doubled down and refused to acknowledge wrongdoing. As this can only be construed as tacit approval of Mr.
The Ceo of The New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies Vic Alhadeff added: “This is an individual who expresses support for a terrorist organisation and denies the Holocaust – and that’s before defending North Korea. Giving a platform to such views thoroughly discredits the student newspaper of one of this country’s leading universities and demonstrates its agenda as an apologist and mouthpiece for a terrorist organisation and some of the world’s most vile regimes.”
The Australian newspaper reported Jewish student Joshua Wooller has complained for the sixth time about Honi Soit. His grandmother is a Holocaust survivor.
Tharappel has denied the Holocaust numbers declaring them being much smaller. He has also published antisemitic posts and openly admitted to his support to terrorist organisations.
J-Wire has asked for a comment from the university but Sydney University told The Australian that “Tharappel’s behaviour is being investigated”.
The newspaper reported that Honi Soit will not remove Tharappel’s puff piece on North Korea.
We should not be so surprised. This is the same magazine (and same editors) who chose a front cover for their Wom*n’s issue showing a young women in Palestinian fatigues pointing an automatic gun only a few months ago. (Honi Soit 2018, Semester 01, Week 11 – Wom*n’s edition)
They are extremist and proud of it. There is no point complaining to editors who seriously believe their own far left rhetoric.