Antisemitism inquiry told University of Sydney ‘did a good job' in quelling months-long pro-Palestine campus encampment
On Monday, a NSW parliamentary committee's antisemitism inquiry heard representatives from some of Australia's elite universities explain the challenges they have faced since October 7, 2023.
Among them was University of Sydney senior deputy vice-chancellor Professor Annamarie Jagose who was pressed on why the institution had not taken appropriate measures sooner when protests had begun to erupt on campuses across the country.
Professor Jagose was also asked to explain why the university did not shut down the protesters' encampment after Safe Work indicated the University of Sydney 'had the power' to move on the congregation.
'We think we did a good job in peacefully resolving the longest running encampment in Australia,' Professor Jagose said.
Professor Jagose insisted the university liaised with police and Arabic language specialists when Hezbollah or Taliban flags were allegedly flown on campus.
The university's senior deputy vice-chancellor blamed the media for circulating inaccuracies, such as the allegation Hezbollah flags were flown on campus.
External engagement vice-principal Kirsten Andrews told the committee the university had told six different inquiries it 'didn't get everything right', which is why they commissioned an independent review.
Published in November 2024, the University of Sydney's Hodgkinson External Review report, which was commissioned to review procedures following pro-Palestine protests, with the 'single largest event' being the encampment on the university's front lawns between April and June last year.
In the report, the encampment and its longevity 'gave rise to many complaints' that students and staff, and others, were subjected to 'inappropriate, threatening or racist speech' which made some feel unsafe.
'The encampment provided an opportunity for persons from outside the University, including members of Hizb ut-Tahrir, to have a presence on the campus,' the report said.
'Those involved in the encampment contributed to the feeling the campus was an unsafe place for some, particularly Jewish students and staff.
'The University had little detailed knowledge of what activities were going on at any particular time… People were coming and going from the encampment as they pleased.'
Ms Andrews said the report made 15 recommendations which were 'accepted in full' by the university's senate and were now being fully implemented.
The inquiry came after Sky News revealed a class action lawsuit was filed against Australia's oldest university over its handling of antisemitism since the October 7 terror attacks in Israel.
On Sunday, it was revealed the legal action against the University of Sydney and two of its highest-profile anti-Israel academics Dr Nick Riemer and Professor John Keane was lodged in the Federal Court on Friday.
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