Sydney University apologises

The Jewish community is calling for a stronger investigation into anti-Semitism on university campuses, but others say it could tackle valid criticism of Israel.

Jewish students fearing for their safety at university have sparked calls for a powerful anti-Semitism inquiry.

But concerns have been raised a narrow scope risked pitting racial groups against each other and elevating such sentiment beyond other forms of racism.

Insults and harassment, defaced campuses with swastikas and other chants championing hate had reached crisis point, Australasian Union of Jewish Students president Noah Loven said.

Liberal senator Sarah Henderson argued a standalone judicial inquiry into anti-Semitism was needed, with a broader Australian Human Rights Commission probe into racism at universities deemed inadequate.

A hearing into her proposed legislation on Friday heard distrust over the commission undertaking the inquiry and arguments it couldn’t adequately compel evidence and testimony from vice-chancellors and administrators.

University of Sydney vice-chancellor Mark Scott apologised after reading the “heartbreaking and unacceptable” submissions about Jewish students’ experiences and acknowledged work was needed to win back trust.

“I recognise we did not always meet the expectations of the Jewish community,” he said.

In his statement at the inquiry, he said: “The testimonials are heart-breaking and unacceptable. And for that I am sorry.

No one should feel at risk, unsafe or unwelcome at any place of learning.

No one should feel the need to hide their identity or stay away from classrooms or campuses.

The University has a responsibility to take active steps to ensure a safe environment free from discrimination and we take these responsibilities seriously.

We have taken many actions, which I am happy to detail, including establishing an independent review of all relevant university policies and processes to be undertaken by Bruce Hodgkinson, a pre-eminent Senior Counsel with expertise in health and safety.”

But we clearly have to do more.

The commission’s president rejected accusations its inquiry was “woefully inadequate”.

Organisations that opposed the standalone judicial inquiry argued it risked conflating political critiques of Israel and anti-Semitism.

Raising other forms of racism alongside accusations of anti-Semitism minimised the experience of Jews, Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s Simone Abel said.

The ECAJ stated: “Universities used to be places where the unbiased pursuit of truth in good faith was considered a virtue. If we want the truth to emerge about the shadow that antisemitism has cast over the physical and online spaces at universities, we cannot leave it to those who have failed their Jewish students and staff so comprehensively over so many years to investigate themselves.”

“This inquiry is a crucial first step for the Australian Jewish community in seeking accountability for the rise in antisemitic incidents and discourse on Australian university campuses, and the culture of Jew-hatred that is becoming normalised in academic settings.”

Dr Colin Rubenstein, executive director of The Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council, told the inquiry: “Jewish, Israeli, and Zionist students and staff have faced significant threats to their safety, as well as blatant obstruction of their fundamental right to fully engage in academic life.

There have been countless incidents of harassment, intimidation, and exclusion, with reports of individuals being aggressively screamed at, filmed without consent, followed, and physically barred from accessing parts of campuses by hostile protestors and encampments. Some Jewish staff have required security protection simply to carry out their professional duties.

Universities, in AIJAC’s view, have failed in their responsibility to provide a safe environment, tolerating hate speech and incitement without taking effective action.”

Free speech principles were being used as cover for hate speech on campuses and by protesters, Zionist Federation of Australia CEO Alon Cassuto added.

“It’s undeniable since October 7 there has been an explosion of hostile, violent and anti-Semitic incidents on campuses across Australia,” he said.

He said that there had been no consequences for protesters chanting anti-Semitic remarks and targeting Jews.

University representatives disagreed, saying appropriate action had been taken.

They expressed concern about the rise of anti-Semitism, but argued the bill was too narrowly focused as it needed to be tackled as a society-wide issue.

Concerns were raised clauses of the bill that would examine steps to address anti-Semitism in teaching material such as lectures and seminars could stifle free speech and academic freedom.

These principles had to be stridently protected by universities, including under law, Universities Australia CEO Luke Sheehy said.

He made clear freedom of speech didn’t extend to hate and violence.

The experiences of Jewish students and staff “tell a very different, far more troubling story” with there being a lack of trust between Jewish students and staff and their universities, Mr Cassuto said.

University of Sydney vice chancellor Mark Scott apologised after reading the “heartbreaking and unacceptable” submissions about Jewish students’ experiences and acknowledged work was needed to win back trust.

“I recognise we did not always meet the expectations of the Jewish community,” he said.

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)

Report from: By: Dominic Giannini/AAP

J-Wire contributed to this article