The recent testimonies at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion have shed light on the alarming rise of antisemitism on Australian university campuses, particularly among Jewish students and staff. These accounts paint a disturbing picture of a culture of fear and harassment, where individuals are forced to navigate a minefield of microaggressions and overt hatred.
One particularly harrowing story comes from Liat, a young Jewish-Australian woman who attended the Australian National University (ANU). Her experience highlights the insidious nature of antisemitism, which often manifests as subtle, everyday remarks and jokes that can be difficult to push back against. Liat's account reveals a chilling atmosphere where even the most basic expressions of Jewish identity can lead to ostracization and abuse.
The turning point for Liat came with the October 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas. This event unleashed a wave of antisemitism on campus, with non-Jewish friends ceasing contact and a student magazine publishing an article that described Zionism as a 'far-right political project' run by 'war criminals and proponents of genocide'. The encampment set up to protest Israel's actions in Gaza further exacerbated the situation, with Jewish students like Liat being regularly called 'baby killers' and 'genocide supporters'.
The saturation of pro-Palestinian symbols, such as the Palestinian flag, created an environment conducive to antisemitism. Slogans like 'intifada revolution' and 'from the river to the sea Palestine will be free' were particularly distressing for Liat, as they were associated with violent Palestinian protests against Israel. The word 'intifada' itself, meaning 'shaking off' in Arabic, has been used to refer to two periods of violent Palestinian protest against Israel, and has been described by members of the Jewish community as a hateful call for violence.
Liat's experience is not unique. A former UNSW staff member, ACJ, also testified about the 'lacklustre' response to Nazi salutes by students during a business class he was teaching. The university's only action was to give a verbal warning to the students, rather than treating the salutes as a criminal incident. ACJ's grandparents' survival of the Holocaust and family history in Jewish pogroms in Poland meant his reaction was visceral, and he felt threatened by the students' actions.
The impact of these incidents on the mental health and safety of Jewish students and staff cannot be overstated. Liat's experience of feeling physically unsafe and the need to hide her Jewish identity on campus is a stark reminder of the psychological toll that antisemitism can take. ACJ's decision to stop reporting antisemitic incidents after early 2025 due to fear of employment termination further underscores the pervasive nature of the problem.
These testimonies raise deeper questions about the role of universities in fostering an environment that is inclusive and respectful of all students and staff. It is crucial that universities take proactive steps to address antisemitism, including implementing comprehensive anti-bullying and anti-discrimination policies, providing training for staff and students, and fostering a culture of zero tolerance towards hate speech and harassment.
In my opinion, the Australian government should also play a more active role in addressing antisemitism on university campuses. This could involve providing funding for anti-bullying and anti-discrimination programs, as well as working with universities to develop comprehensive strategies for addressing hate speech and harassment. By taking these steps, we can create a safer and more inclusive environment for all students and staff, regardless of their religious or ethnic background.
