Creating a false panic around university antisemitism runs the risk of building genuine fear in my community. Forcing the vice chancellor to resign would set a dangerous precedent.
In recent weeks, a series of claims have been levelled against the University of Sydney, accusing its staff, students, community of scholars, and indeed the whole fabric of university life from executive leadership down, of antisemitism. It has been claimed that the university has become a place that is fundamentally hostile to Jews, the campus described as one of the “worst places to be Jewish”, and in urgent need of reform.
Claims of antisemitism began to appear in the media when the university allowed, for a brief period, the student-led encampment protests, which were staged in opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza. At that time, university campuses around the world became focal points in the debate around Israel’s actions and the complicity of Western governments.
This is always framed in terms of a response to “antisemitism”, but the borders between valid criticism of Israel and anti-Jewish bigotry are purposefully obscured to provide political protection for Israel and its supporters. This can be seen most clearly in the push to enshrine the highly controversialthroughout major institutions in Western countries, including Australian universities. We cannot allow this to undermine hard-won Australian freedoms of speech, assembly and protest.
Doubtless, there have been genuine antisemitic incidents at the university, much as there have been racist, sexist, Islamophobic and other bigoted behaviours that unfortunately spring up anywhere and any time. But it is absolutely inaccurate to characterise this as something pervasive, systemic and representative of university life.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jewish academic says Sydney Uni became ‘toxic’ after October 7 attacksA former Sydney University academic has lodged a SafeWork complaint alleging the vice chancellor failed to protect Jewish students from “psychosocial harm”.
Read more »
Sydney Uni to review complaints system as Jewish students call on Scott to resignThe university says an external review will look at how its handles complaints after vice chancellor Mark Scott admitted he had failed to project Jewish students.
Read more »
Sydney Uni to review complaints system as Jewish students call on Scott to resignThe university says an external review will look at how its handles complaints after vice chancellor Mark Scott admitted he had failed to project Jewish students.
Read more »
Sydney Uni to review complaints system as Jewish students call on Scott to resignThe university says an external review will look at how its handles complaints after vice chancellor Mark Scott admitted he had failed to project Jewish students.
Read more »
Greens MP to tour Sydney Jewish Museum and donate funds after offensive ‘tentacles’ tropeExclusive: Jenny Leong, who apologised after referencing antisemitic cartoon, was subject of Human Rights Commission complaint
Read more »
Greens MP to tour Sydney Jewish Museum and donate funds after offensive ‘tentacles’ tropeExclusive: Jenny Leong, who apologised after referencing antisemitic cartoon, was subject of human rights commission complaintFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast
Read more »