Latest news with #AustralianUnionofJewishStudents
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Plan to rid anti-Jew 'cancer' targets uni, arts funding
Australia's universities and cultural institutions are at risk of losing their funding while immigrants face deportation under a wide-ranging plan to address anti-Semitism. Following a surge in threats and violence against Jewish Australians, the federal government has welcomed anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal's sweeping report, which put public funding at the front and centre of its recommendations. It found Jewish students were subject to discrimination, particularly at higher education campuses, and has urged the federal government to withhold money from universities, programs or academics that facilitate, enable or fail to act against anti-Semitism. Public grants could also be terminated if recipients engaged in "anti-Semitic or otherwise discriminatory or hateful speech or actions", the report said. "The plan supports the safety, visibility and contribution of Australia's Jewish communities, so that no Australian feels the need to hide who they are," Ms Segal told reporters in Sydney as she delivered her findings. Mr Albanese said Labor would work constructively with Ms Segal and review the recommendations, although he did not commit to implementing the measures. About 60 per cent of Australian Jewish students who experienced anti-Semitism in 2024 felt unsupported by their institutions, according to a survey by the Australian Union of Jewish Students. This push to ensure public funding "is not used to support or implicitly endorse anti-Semitic themes or narratives" could also put cultural institutions and broadcasters at risk. The report suggests all public funding agreements with festivals or cultural institutions include terms to allow for the termination of funding when they promote, facilitate or fail to effectively deal with hate or anti-Semitism. Anyone hoping to get an Australian visa should also be subject to screening for anti-Semitic views or affiliations and those found to have been involved would face visa cancellation and deportation under the recommendations. There are some concerns the plan could stifle legitimate criticism of Israel, whose violence in Gaza - following the October 7 attack on Israelis by Hamas - has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians. A slew of Australian arts bodies, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the State Library of Australia and Creative Australia, had already revoked opportunities from artists who had been outspoken critics of Israel. The report also recommended higher education institutions and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's controversial definition of anti-Semitism, which has been decried for conflating criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism. When asked about the concerns, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said people had a right to their perspectives but did not have a right to bring conflict to Australia. "Whatever your view on the Middle East, it is not advanced by attacking people here in Australia because of who they are, because of their faith, because of their identity - it's completely unacceptable," he told reporters in Sydney. The progressive Jewish Council of Australia raised concerns the report's "dangerously unclear" recommendations risked censoring criticism of Israel, deepening racism and failing to to address the root causes of anti-Semitism. "This document reads more like a blueprint for silencing dissent rather than a strategy to build inclusion," executive officer Max Kaiser said. Other groups including the Zionist Federation of Australia and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry backed its findings and called for their urgent implementation. "This is a very well-considered plan," the council's president Daniel Aghion said. Ms Segal's report has been in the works since her July 2024 appointment but the issue of anti-Semitism returned to the fore after an East Melbourne synagogue was set alight on Friday night. There has been a 300 per cent rise in threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians between October 2023 and September 2024. Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley urged Mr Albanese to act on Ms Segal's recommendations and called anti-Semitism a "cultural and societal cancer". Australia's universities and cultural institutions are at risk of losing their funding while immigrants face deportation under a wide-ranging plan to address anti-Semitism. Following a surge in threats and violence against Jewish Australians, the federal government has welcomed anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal's sweeping report, which put public funding at the front and centre of its recommendations. It found Jewish students were subject to discrimination, particularly at higher education campuses, and has urged the federal government to withhold money from universities, programs or academics that facilitate, enable or fail to act against anti-Semitism. Public grants could also be terminated if recipients engaged in "anti-Semitic or otherwise discriminatory or hateful speech or actions", the report said. "The plan supports the safety, visibility and contribution of Australia's Jewish communities, so that no Australian feels the need to hide who they are," Ms Segal told reporters in Sydney as she delivered her findings. Mr Albanese said Labor would work constructively with Ms Segal and review the recommendations, although he did not commit to implementing the measures. About 60 per cent of Australian Jewish students who experienced anti-Semitism in 2024 felt unsupported by their institutions, according to a survey by the Australian Union of Jewish Students. This push to ensure public funding "is not used to support or implicitly endorse anti-Semitic themes or narratives" could also put cultural institutions and broadcasters at risk. The report suggests all public funding agreements with festivals or cultural institutions include terms to allow for the termination of funding when they promote, facilitate or fail to effectively deal with hate or anti-Semitism. Anyone hoping to get an Australian visa should also be subject to screening for anti-Semitic views or affiliations and those found to have been involved would face visa cancellation and deportation under the recommendations. There are some concerns the plan could stifle legitimate criticism of Israel, whose violence in Gaza - following the October 7 attack on Israelis by Hamas - has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians. A slew of Australian arts bodies, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the State Library of Australia and Creative Australia, had already revoked opportunities from artists who had been outspoken critics of Israel. The report also recommended higher education institutions and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's controversial definition of anti-Semitism, which has been decried for conflating criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism. When asked about the concerns, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said people had a right to their perspectives but did not have a right to bring conflict to Australia. "Whatever your view on the Middle East, it is not advanced by attacking people here in Australia because of who they are, because of their faith, because of their identity - it's completely unacceptable," he told reporters in Sydney. The progressive Jewish Council of Australia raised concerns the report's "dangerously unclear" recommendations risked censoring criticism of Israel, deepening racism and failing to to address the root causes of anti-Semitism. "This document reads more like a blueprint for silencing dissent rather than a strategy to build inclusion," executive officer Max Kaiser said. Other groups including the Zionist Federation of Australia and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry backed its findings and called for their urgent implementation. "This is a very well-considered plan," the council's president Daniel Aghion said. Ms Segal's report has been in the works since her July 2024 appointment but the issue of anti-Semitism returned to the fore after an East Melbourne synagogue was set alight on Friday night. There has been a 300 per cent rise in threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians between October 2023 and September 2024. Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley urged Mr Albanese to act on Ms Segal's recommendations and called anti-Semitism a "cultural and societal cancer". Australia's universities and cultural institutions are at risk of losing their funding while immigrants face deportation under a wide-ranging plan to address anti-Semitism. Following a surge in threats and violence against Jewish Australians, the federal government has welcomed anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal's sweeping report, which put public funding at the front and centre of its recommendations. It found Jewish students were subject to discrimination, particularly at higher education campuses, and has urged the federal government to withhold money from universities, programs or academics that facilitate, enable or fail to act against anti-Semitism. Public grants could also be terminated if recipients engaged in "anti-Semitic or otherwise discriminatory or hateful speech or actions", the report said. "The plan supports the safety, visibility and contribution of Australia's Jewish communities, so that no Australian feels the need to hide who they are," Ms Segal told reporters in Sydney as she delivered her findings. Mr Albanese said Labor would work constructively with Ms Segal and review the recommendations, although he did not commit to implementing the measures. About 60 per cent of Australian Jewish students who experienced anti-Semitism in 2024 felt unsupported by their institutions, according to a survey by the Australian Union of Jewish Students. This push to ensure public funding "is not used to support or implicitly endorse anti-Semitic themes or narratives" could also put cultural institutions and broadcasters at risk. The report suggests all public funding agreements with festivals or cultural institutions include terms to allow for the termination of funding when they promote, facilitate or fail to effectively deal with hate or anti-Semitism. Anyone hoping to get an Australian visa should also be subject to screening for anti-Semitic views or affiliations and those found to have been involved would face visa cancellation and deportation under the recommendations. There are some concerns the plan could stifle legitimate criticism of Israel, whose violence in Gaza - following the October 7 attack on Israelis by Hamas - has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians. A slew of Australian arts bodies, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the State Library of Australia and Creative Australia, had already revoked opportunities from artists who had been outspoken critics of Israel. The report also recommended higher education institutions and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's controversial definition of anti-Semitism, which has been decried for conflating criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism. When asked about the concerns, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said people had a right to their perspectives but did not have a right to bring conflict to Australia. "Whatever your view on the Middle East, it is not advanced by attacking people here in Australia because of who they are, because of their faith, because of their identity - it's completely unacceptable," he told reporters in Sydney. The progressive Jewish Council of Australia raised concerns the report's "dangerously unclear" recommendations risked censoring criticism of Israel, deepening racism and failing to to address the root causes of anti-Semitism. "This document reads more like a blueprint for silencing dissent rather than a strategy to build inclusion," executive officer Max Kaiser said. Other groups including the Zionist Federation of Australia and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry backed its findings and called for their urgent implementation. "This is a very well-considered plan," the council's president Daniel Aghion said. Ms Segal's report has been in the works since her July 2024 appointment but the issue of anti-Semitism returned to the fore after an East Melbourne synagogue was set alight on Friday night. There has been a 300 per cent rise in threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians between October 2023 and September 2024. Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley urged Mr Albanese to act on Ms Segal's recommendations and called anti-Semitism a "cultural and societal cancer". Australia's universities and cultural institutions are at risk of losing their funding while immigrants face deportation under a wide-ranging plan to address anti-Semitism. Following a surge in threats and violence against Jewish Australians, the federal government has welcomed anti-Semitism envoy Jillian Segal's sweeping report, which put public funding at the front and centre of its recommendations. It found Jewish students were subject to discrimination, particularly at higher education campuses, and has urged the federal government to withhold money from universities, programs or academics that facilitate, enable or fail to act against anti-Semitism. Public grants could also be terminated if recipients engaged in "anti-Semitic or otherwise discriminatory or hateful speech or actions", the report said. "The plan supports the safety, visibility and contribution of Australia's Jewish communities, so that no Australian feels the need to hide who they are," Ms Segal told reporters in Sydney as she delivered her findings. Mr Albanese said Labor would work constructively with Ms Segal and review the recommendations, although he did not commit to implementing the measures. About 60 per cent of Australian Jewish students who experienced anti-Semitism in 2024 felt unsupported by their institutions, according to a survey by the Australian Union of Jewish Students. This push to ensure public funding "is not used to support or implicitly endorse anti-Semitic themes or narratives" could also put cultural institutions and broadcasters at risk. The report suggests all public funding agreements with festivals or cultural institutions include terms to allow for the termination of funding when they promote, facilitate or fail to effectively deal with hate or anti-Semitism. Anyone hoping to get an Australian visa should also be subject to screening for anti-Semitic views or affiliations and those found to have been involved would face visa cancellation and deportation under the recommendations. There are some concerns the plan could stifle legitimate criticism of Israel, whose violence in Gaza - following the October 7 attack on Israelis by Hamas - has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians. A slew of Australian arts bodies, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the State Library of Australia and Creative Australia, had already revoked opportunities from artists who had been outspoken critics of Israel. The report also recommended higher education institutions and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's controversial definition of anti-Semitism, which has been decried for conflating criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism. When asked about the concerns, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said people had a right to their perspectives but did not have a right to bring conflict to Australia. "Whatever your view on the Middle East, it is not advanced by attacking people here in Australia because of who they are, because of their faith, because of their identity - it's completely unacceptable," he told reporters in Sydney. The progressive Jewish Council of Australia raised concerns the report's "dangerously unclear" recommendations risked censoring criticism of Israel, deepening racism and failing to to address the root causes of anti-Semitism. "This document reads more like a blueprint for silencing dissent rather than a strategy to build inclusion," executive officer Max Kaiser said. Other groups including the Zionist Federation of Australia and the Executive Council of Australian Jewry backed its findings and called for their urgent implementation. "This is a very well-considered plan," the council's president Daniel Aghion said. Ms Segal's report has been in the works since her July 2024 appointment but the issue of anti-Semitism returned to the fore after an East Melbourne synagogue was set alight on Friday night. There has been a 300 per cent rise in threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians between October 2023 and September 2024. Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley urged Mr Albanese to act on Ms Segal's recommendations and called anti-Semitism a "cultural and societal cancer".
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Universities, arts face cuts under anti-Semitism plan
Australian universities and cultural institutions could have their funding withheld as part of a sweeping plan to clamp down on anti-Semitism. The Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism Jillian Segal has produced a report saying that cultural and educational spaces, specifically university campuses, are places where Jewish Australians suffered discrimination. As a result, its recommendations call on the federal government to work with Ms Segal to withhold funding from universities, programs or individuals within universities that facilitate, enable or fail to act against anti-Semitism. Public grants for university centres and academics could also be terminated if recipients engage in "anti-Semitic or otherwise discriminatory or hateful speech or actions". "Universities will continue to be held accountable," Ms Segal told reporters in Sydney as she delivered her findings to the federal government. "When my report speaks of education ... it is not just about education on the history of the Middle East or education about anti-Semitism, it is education about how to have civil dialogue and we've lost that." About 60 per cent of Australian Jewish students who experienced anti-Semitism in 2024 felt unsupported by their institutions, according to a survey by the Australian Union of Jewish Students referred to in Ms Segal's report. Cultural institutions, broadcasters and artists also featured, as the report recommended governments ensure public funding isn't used to support or implicitly endorse anti-Semitism themes or narratives. It suggests terms in agreements to allow funding to be pulled from institutions or festivals that promote, facilitate or don't "effectively deal with" hate or anti-Semitism. There are some concerns that the plan could stifle legitimate criticism of Israel, whose violence in Gaza - in the wake of the October 7, 2024, killings of Israeli citizens by Hamas - has resulted in the deaths of more than 57,000 Palestinians. A slew of Australian arts bodies, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the State Library of Australia and Creative Australia, faced backlash after revoking opportunities from artists who had been outspoken critics of Israel. And the report recommended that higher education institutions and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's controversial definition of anti-Semitism, which has been criticised for conflating criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism. When asked about scrutiny of Israel, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that people had a right to their perspectives but did not have a right to bring conflict to Australia. "Whatever your view on the Middle East, it is not advanced by attacking people here in Australia because of who they are, because of their faith, because of their identity - it's completely unacceptable," he told reporters in Sydney, standing alongside Ms Segal. "The kind of hatred and violence that we've seen on our streets recently is despicable, and it won't be tolerated." He welcomed her plan, but noted the government and society would need to collaborate to ensure anti-Semitism was "pushed to the margins". Ms Segal's report has been in the works since her July 2024 appointment, which itself was a response to a rise in anti-Semitism following the October 7 attacks. An East Melbourne synagogue was set alight on Friday night, seven months after a firebombing at the Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne about 20 minutes away. There have been multiple incidents of vandalism at Jewish schools and synagogues, as well as a firebombing at the former home of a prominent community leader in Sydney in late 2024. According to the report, there was a 300 per cent rise in threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians between October 2023 and September 2024, driven by offline and online extremist ideologies. But anti-Semitism had already been steadily rising in Australia prior to October 7. Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has urged the prime minister to act on Ms Segal's recommendations. "This report shows anti-Semitism is not just a problem of security or law enforcement," she said. "It's a cultural and societal cancer that needs attention through our schools, universities, media, and even the arts." Australian universities and cultural institutions could have their funding withheld as part of a sweeping plan to clamp down on anti-Semitism. The Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism Jillian Segal has produced a report saying that cultural and educational spaces, specifically university campuses, are places where Jewish Australians suffered discrimination. As a result, its recommendations call on the federal government to work with Ms Segal to withhold funding from universities, programs or individuals within universities that facilitate, enable or fail to act against anti-Semitism. Public grants for university centres and academics could also be terminated if recipients engage in "anti-Semitic or otherwise discriminatory or hateful speech or actions". "Universities will continue to be held accountable," Ms Segal told reporters in Sydney as she delivered her findings to the federal government. "When my report speaks of education ... it is not just about education on the history of the Middle East or education about anti-Semitism, it is education about how to have civil dialogue and we've lost that." About 60 per cent of Australian Jewish students who experienced anti-Semitism in 2024 felt unsupported by their institutions, according to a survey by the Australian Union of Jewish Students referred to in Ms Segal's report. Cultural institutions, broadcasters and artists also featured, as the report recommended governments ensure public funding isn't used to support or implicitly endorse anti-Semitism themes or narratives. It suggests terms in agreements to allow funding to be pulled from institutions or festivals that promote, facilitate or don't "effectively deal with" hate or anti-Semitism. There are some concerns that the plan could stifle legitimate criticism of Israel, whose violence in Gaza - in the wake of the October 7, 2024, killings of Israeli citizens by Hamas - has resulted in the deaths of more than 57,000 Palestinians. A slew of Australian arts bodies, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the State Library of Australia and Creative Australia, faced backlash after revoking opportunities from artists who had been outspoken critics of Israel. And the report recommended that higher education institutions and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's controversial definition of anti-Semitism, which has been criticised for conflating criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism. When asked about scrutiny of Israel, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that people had a right to their perspectives but did not have a right to bring conflict to Australia. "Whatever your view on the Middle East, it is not advanced by attacking people here in Australia because of who they are, because of their faith, because of their identity - it's completely unacceptable," he told reporters in Sydney, standing alongside Ms Segal. "The kind of hatred and violence that we've seen on our streets recently is despicable, and it won't be tolerated." He welcomed her plan, but noted the government and society would need to collaborate to ensure anti-Semitism was "pushed to the margins". Ms Segal's report has been in the works since her July 2024 appointment, which itself was a response to a rise in anti-Semitism following the October 7 attacks. An East Melbourne synagogue was set alight on Friday night, seven months after a firebombing at the Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne about 20 minutes away. There have been multiple incidents of vandalism at Jewish schools and synagogues, as well as a firebombing at the former home of a prominent community leader in Sydney in late 2024. According to the report, there was a 300 per cent rise in threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians between October 2023 and September 2024, driven by offline and online extremist ideologies. But anti-Semitism had already been steadily rising in Australia prior to October 7. Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has urged the prime minister to act on Ms Segal's recommendations. "This report shows anti-Semitism is not just a problem of security or law enforcement," she said. "It's a cultural and societal cancer that needs attention through our schools, universities, media, and even the arts." Australian universities and cultural institutions could have their funding withheld as part of a sweeping plan to clamp down on anti-Semitism. The Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism Jillian Segal has produced a report saying that cultural and educational spaces, specifically university campuses, are places where Jewish Australians suffered discrimination. As a result, its recommendations call on the federal government to work with Ms Segal to withhold funding from universities, programs or individuals within universities that facilitate, enable or fail to act against anti-Semitism. Public grants for university centres and academics could also be terminated if recipients engage in "anti-Semitic or otherwise discriminatory or hateful speech or actions". "Universities will continue to be held accountable," Ms Segal told reporters in Sydney as she delivered her findings to the federal government. "When my report speaks of education ... it is not just about education on the history of the Middle East or education about anti-Semitism, it is education about how to have civil dialogue and we've lost that." About 60 per cent of Australian Jewish students who experienced anti-Semitism in 2024 felt unsupported by their institutions, according to a survey by the Australian Union of Jewish Students referred to in Ms Segal's report. Cultural institutions, broadcasters and artists also featured, as the report recommended governments ensure public funding isn't used to support or implicitly endorse anti-Semitism themes or narratives. It suggests terms in agreements to allow funding to be pulled from institutions or festivals that promote, facilitate or don't "effectively deal with" hate or anti-Semitism. There are some concerns that the plan could stifle legitimate criticism of Israel, whose violence in Gaza - in the wake of the October 7, 2024, killings of Israeli citizens by Hamas - has resulted in the deaths of more than 57,000 Palestinians. A slew of Australian arts bodies, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the State Library of Australia and Creative Australia, faced backlash after revoking opportunities from artists who had been outspoken critics of Israel. And the report recommended that higher education institutions and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's controversial definition of anti-Semitism, which has been criticised for conflating criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism. When asked about scrutiny of Israel, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that people had a right to their perspectives but did not have a right to bring conflict to Australia. "Whatever your view on the Middle East, it is not advanced by attacking people here in Australia because of who they are, because of their faith, because of their identity - it's completely unacceptable," he told reporters in Sydney, standing alongside Ms Segal. "The kind of hatred and violence that we've seen on our streets recently is despicable, and it won't be tolerated." He welcomed her plan, but noted the government and society would need to collaborate to ensure anti-Semitism was "pushed to the margins". Ms Segal's report has been in the works since her July 2024 appointment, which itself was a response to a rise in anti-Semitism following the October 7 attacks. An East Melbourne synagogue was set alight on Friday night, seven months after a firebombing at the Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne about 20 minutes away. There have been multiple incidents of vandalism at Jewish schools and synagogues, as well as a firebombing at the former home of a prominent community leader in Sydney in late 2024. According to the report, there was a 300 per cent rise in threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians between October 2023 and September 2024, driven by offline and online extremist ideologies. But anti-Semitism had already been steadily rising in Australia prior to October 7. Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has urged the prime minister to act on Ms Segal's recommendations. "This report shows anti-Semitism is not just a problem of security or law enforcement," she said. "It's a cultural and societal cancer that needs attention through our schools, universities, media, and even the arts." Australian universities and cultural institutions could have their funding withheld as part of a sweeping plan to clamp down on anti-Semitism. The Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism Jillian Segal has produced a report saying that cultural and educational spaces, specifically university campuses, are places where Jewish Australians suffered discrimination. As a result, its recommendations call on the federal government to work with Ms Segal to withhold funding from universities, programs or individuals within universities that facilitate, enable or fail to act against anti-Semitism. Public grants for university centres and academics could also be terminated if recipients engage in "anti-Semitic or otherwise discriminatory or hateful speech or actions". "Universities will continue to be held accountable," Ms Segal told reporters in Sydney as she delivered her findings to the federal government. "When my report speaks of education ... it is not just about education on the history of the Middle East or education about anti-Semitism, it is education about how to have civil dialogue and we've lost that." About 60 per cent of Australian Jewish students who experienced anti-Semitism in 2024 felt unsupported by their institutions, according to a survey by the Australian Union of Jewish Students referred to in Ms Segal's report. Cultural institutions, broadcasters and artists also featured, as the report recommended governments ensure public funding isn't used to support or implicitly endorse anti-Semitism themes or narratives. It suggests terms in agreements to allow funding to be pulled from institutions or festivals that promote, facilitate or don't "effectively deal with" hate or anti-Semitism. There are some concerns that the plan could stifle legitimate criticism of Israel, whose violence in Gaza - in the wake of the October 7, 2024, killings of Israeli citizens by Hamas - has resulted in the deaths of more than 57,000 Palestinians. A slew of Australian arts bodies, including the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the State Library of Australia and Creative Australia, faced backlash after revoking opportunities from artists who had been outspoken critics of Israel. And the report recommended that higher education institutions and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's controversial definition of anti-Semitism, which has been criticised for conflating criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism. When asked about scrutiny of Israel, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that people had a right to their perspectives but did not have a right to bring conflict to Australia. "Whatever your view on the Middle East, it is not advanced by attacking people here in Australia because of who they are, because of their faith, because of their identity - it's completely unacceptable," he told reporters in Sydney, standing alongside Ms Segal. "The kind of hatred and violence that we've seen on our streets recently is despicable, and it won't be tolerated." He welcomed her plan, but noted the government and society would need to collaborate to ensure anti-Semitism was "pushed to the margins". Ms Segal's report has been in the works since her July 2024 appointment, which itself was a response to a rise in anti-Semitism following the October 7 attacks. An East Melbourne synagogue was set alight on Friday night, seven months after a firebombing at the Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne about 20 minutes away. There have been multiple incidents of vandalism at Jewish schools and synagogues, as well as a firebombing at the former home of a prominent community leader in Sydney in late 2024. According to the report, there was a 300 per cent rise in threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians between October 2023 and September 2024, driven by offline and online extremist ideologies. But anti-Semitism had already been steadily rising in Australia prior to October 7. Federal Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has urged the prime minister to act on Ms Segal's recommendations. "This report shows anti-Semitism is not just a problem of security or law enforcement," she said. "It's a cultural and societal cancer that needs attention through our schools, universities, media, and even the arts."
Sydney Morning Herald
04-06-2025
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Jews not allowed': SafeWork savages Sydney University over antisemitism on campus
It said antisemitic activism on campus consisted of student activist groups. In one example, which occurred during the orientation week for new students, it said a stand run by the Australian Union of Jewish Students was approached by three women who aggressively ripped the Israeli flag off the stall desk, in front of four Jewish volunteers, causing items to fall off the table. 'They put the flag in the nearby rubbish bin, took a photo of it and then left,' the report said. It noted that inside a passageway known as the graffiti tunnel, there were Israeli flags with a red circle and line across the middle with words, 'zio punks', 'Gaza will be free'. There were 'Nazi Germany' swastika stickers painted on walls of the tunnel as well graffiti stating 'Israel has no right to exist'. Other examples included Palestinian activists using a megaphone chanting 'there is only one solution, intifada revolution' – interpreted by Jewish workers and students as a reference to Nazi Germany. Loading Noticeboards around campus promoted the organising of a 'student intifada'. There were also posters which said: 'Between us and them are mountains of paradise, hatred, blood, wailing and long-lasting revenge'. Southern Cross University associate professor Andy Smidt, who left Sydney University in February 2024, made the original complaint and said she felt vindicated by its findings. She is still an adjunct associate professor at Sydney. 'The idea that we are seen, we are heard. It was absolutely vindicating,' she said. 'There's a perception that the Jews on campus were whingeing … Someone external to the university could see clearly that the atmosphere was toxic.' SafeWork NSW did not respond to questions about why a full investigation was not carried out. Sydney University's senior deputy vice-chancellor and provost Annamarie Jagose said throughout the significant challenges of last year, the institution 'took a strong stance against antisemitism and decisive action to stand firmly against hate in all forms'. 'We've implemented new measures and complaints related to antisemitism have declined substantially over the last 12 months – but we know even a single complaint is one too many,' she said. 'We've co-operated fully with SafeWork NSW's inquiries and appreciate the care they've taken in examining this matter, as well as the consideration they've given to activities on campus since October 7, 2023 and how we've managed resulting events and risks.'
The Age
04-06-2025
- General
- The Age
‘Jews not allowed': SafeWork savages Sydney University over antisemitism on campus
It said antisemitic activism on campus consisted of student activist groups. In one example, which occurred during the orientation week for new students, it said a stand run by the Australian Union of Jewish Students was approached by three women who aggressively ripped the Israeli flag off the stall desk, in front of four Jewish volunteers, causing items to fall off the table. 'They put the flag in the nearby rubbish bin, took a photo of it and then left,' the report said. It noted that inside a passageway known as the graffiti tunnel, there were Israeli flags with a red circle and line across the middle with words, 'zio punks', 'Gaza will be free'. There were 'Nazi Germany' swastika stickers painted on walls of the tunnel as well graffiti stating 'Israel has no right to exist'. Other examples included Palestinian activists using a megaphone chanting 'there is only one solution, intifada revolution' – interpreted by Jewish workers and students as a reference to Nazi Germany. Loading Noticeboards around campus promoted the organising of a 'student intifada'. There were also posters which said: 'Between us and them are mountains of paradise, hatred, blood, wailing and long-lasting revenge'. Southern Cross University associate professor Andy Smidt, who left Sydney University in February 2024, made the original complaint and said she felt vindicated by its findings. She is still an adjunct associate professor at Sydney. 'The idea that we are seen, we are heard. It was absolutely vindicating,' she said. 'There's a perception that the Jews on campus were whingeing … Someone external to the university could see clearly that the atmosphere was toxic.' SafeWork NSW did not respond to questions about why a full investigation was not carried out. Sydney University's senior deputy vice-chancellor and provost Annamarie Jagose said throughout the significant challenges of last year, the institution 'took a strong stance against antisemitism and decisive action to stand firmly against hate in all forms'. 'We've implemented new measures and complaints related to antisemitism have declined substantially over the last 12 months – but we know even a single complaint is one too many,' she said. 'We've co-operated fully with SafeWork NSW's inquiries and appreciate the care they've taken in examining this matter, as well as the consideration they've given to activities on campus since October 7, 2023 and how we've managed resulting events and risks.'
