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The Advertiser
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Protest crackdown creates 'culture of fear' on campuses
Staff and students describe a pervasive "culture of fear" at one of Australia's top universities following a furore over pro-Palestine encampments. University policies had led to self-censorship, restricting their ability to speak openly about pro-Palestinian movements on campus, they told an inquiry convened by Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi, the National Union of Students, the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network and others. Encampments sprung up at university campuses around the world, with students calling on their institutions to cut ties with weapons manufacturers and condemn Israel's war in Gaza. The University of Melbourne ordered protesters to leave its Parkville campus in May 2024 after they occupied a building they named 'Mahmoud Hall' in honour of Mahmoud Alnaouq, a young Palestinian man killed in the Israel-Gaza war who had been set to begin his studies at the university. At the time, deputy vice-chancellor Michael Wesley said protesters had crossed a line and police had advised on how to end the indoor demonstration. Sophie Rudolph, a senior lecturer at the university, told the inquiry there was an "atmosphere of fear" among staff members. "We had a number of concerns over the actions the university has taken that (have) repressed speech and action around solidarity with Palestine, and with the universities' links with weapons manufacturers," she said. Dr Rudolph cited an example of a staff member who was not allowed to display posters supporting Palestine on their office door or wear symbols that expressed their support. "These are minor but they are part of the insidiousness of the repression and they contribute to other staff members who may not feel as confident," she said. "(They) are self-censoring and they are thinking about when they can and cannot have these conversations." Dozens attended the inquiry on Wednesday, while security guards patrolled the building where the gathering took place. A Melbourne University spokesperson said protesting on campus must be conducted peacefully and respectfully. The university said it did not support protest activity that "unreasonably disrupts activities or operations of the university" or the safety and wellbeing of staff and students. "Freedom of speech, and the right to lawful peaceful protest, are respected and supported at the University of Melbourne and are central to our values and identity," the spokesperson said. Organiser Jos Downey detailed conditions protesters faced during their encampment at Monash University, claiming intimidation, abuse and threats from campus security and opposing groups. Jasmine Duff, a leader of the Deakin University encampment, told the inquiry she had been tipped off that gardeners were instructed to disrupt the protesters' sleep, including one incident where they were woken at 2am. Ms Duff, the co-convenor of Students for Palestine, testified that universities had been "extraordinarily repressive" towards students who wished to protest. "Students have been put through serious disciplinary procedures, risking their degrees, for participating in peaceful protests against the genocide in Gaza," she said. "Universities should be havens of free speech and debate, but instead those who speak out against the brutal onslaught in Gaza are punished." The inquiry comes shortly after the federal government received recommendations from a major anti-Semitism report. The nation's special envoy against anti-Semitism, Jillian Segal, called for the defunding of universities and cultural institutions that enable or fail to prevent anti-Semitism. Staff and students describe a pervasive "culture of fear" at one of Australia's top universities following a furore over pro-Palestine encampments. University policies had led to self-censorship, restricting their ability to speak openly about pro-Palestinian movements on campus, they told an inquiry convened by Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi, the National Union of Students, the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network and others. Encampments sprung up at university campuses around the world, with students calling on their institutions to cut ties with weapons manufacturers and condemn Israel's war in Gaza. The University of Melbourne ordered protesters to leave its Parkville campus in May 2024 after they occupied a building they named 'Mahmoud Hall' in honour of Mahmoud Alnaouq, a young Palestinian man killed in the Israel-Gaza war who had been set to begin his studies at the university. At the time, deputy vice-chancellor Michael Wesley said protesters had crossed a line and police had advised on how to end the indoor demonstration. Sophie Rudolph, a senior lecturer at the university, told the inquiry there was an "atmosphere of fear" among staff members. "We had a number of concerns over the actions the university has taken that (have) repressed speech and action around solidarity with Palestine, and with the universities' links with weapons manufacturers," she said. Dr Rudolph cited an example of a staff member who was not allowed to display posters supporting Palestine on their office door or wear symbols that expressed their support. "These are minor but they are part of the insidiousness of the repression and they contribute to other staff members who may not feel as confident," she said. "(They) are self-censoring and they are thinking about when they can and cannot have these conversations." Dozens attended the inquiry on Wednesday, while security guards patrolled the building where the gathering took place. A Melbourne University spokesperson said protesting on campus must be conducted peacefully and respectfully. The university said it did not support protest activity that "unreasonably disrupts activities or operations of the university" or the safety and wellbeing of staff and students. "Freedom of speech, and the right to lawful peaceful protest, are respected and supported at the University of Melbourne and are central to our values and identity," the spokesperson said. Organiser Jos Downey detailed conditions protesters faced during their encampment at Monash University, claiming intimidation, abuse and threats from campus security and opposing groups. Jasmine Duff, a leader of the Deakin University encampment, told the inquiry she had been tipped off that gardeners were instructed to disrupt the protesters' sleep, including one incident where they were woken at 2am. Ms Duff, the co-convenor of Students for Palestine, testified that universities had been "extraordinarily repressive" towards students who wished to protest. "Students have been put through serious disciplinary procedures, risking their degrees, for participating in peaceful protests against the genocide in Gaza," she said. "Universities should be havens of free speech and debate, but instead those who speak out against the brutal onslaught in Gaza are punished." The inquiry comes shortly after the federal government received recommendations from a major anti-Semitism report. The nation's special envoy against anti-Semitism, Jillian Segal, called for the defunding of universities and cultural institutions that enable or fail to prevent anti-Semitism. Staff and students describe a pervasive "culture of fear" at one of Australia's top universities following a furore over pro-Palestine encampments. University policies had led to self-censorship, restricting their ability to speak openly about pro-Palestinian movements on campus, they told an inquiry convened by Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi, the National Union of Students, the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network and others. Encampments sprung up at university campuses around the world, with students calling on their institutions to cut ties with weapons manufacturers and condemn Israel's war in Gaza. The University of Melbourne ordered protesters to leave its Parkville campus in May 2024 after they occupied a building they named 'Mahmoud Hall' in honour of Mahmoud Alnaouq, a young Palestinian man killed in the Israel-Gaza war who had been set to begin his studies at the university. At the time, deputy vice-chancellor Michael Wesley said protesters had crossed a line and police had advised on how to end the indoor demonstration. Sophie Rudolph, a senior lecturer at the university, told the inquiry there was an "atmosphere of fear" among staff members. "We had a number of concerns over the actions the university has taken that (have) repressed speech and action around solidarity with Palestine, and with the universities' links with weapons manufacturers," she said. Dr Rudolph cited an example of a staff member who was not allowed to display posters supporting Palestine on their office door or wear symbols that expressed their support. "These are minor but they are part of the insidiousness of the repression and they contribute to other staff members who may not feel as confident," she said. "(They) are self-censoring and they are thinking about when they can and cannot have these conversations." Dozens attended the inquiry on Wednesday, while security guards patrolled the building where the gathering took place. A Melbourne University spokesperson said protesting on campus must be conducted peacefully and respectfully. The university said it did not support protest activity that "unreasonably disrupts activities or operations of the university" or the safety and wellbeing of staff and students. "Freedom of speech, and the right to lawful peaceful protest, are respected and supported at the University of Melbourne and are central to our values and identity," the spokesperson said. Organiser Jos Downey detailed conditions protesters faced during their encampment at Monash University, claiming intimidation, abuse and threats from campus security and opposing groups. Jasmine Duff, a leader of the Deakin University encampment, told the inquiry she had been tipped off that gardeners were instructed to disrupt the protesters' sleep, including one incident where they were woken at 2am. Ms Duff, the co-convenor of Students for Palestine, testified that universities had been "extraordinarily repressive" towards students who wished to protest. "Students have been put through serious disciplinary procedures, risking their degrees, for participating in peaceful protests against the genocide in Gaza," she said. "Universities should be havens of free speech and debate, but instead those who speak out against the brutal onslaught in Gaza are punished." The inquiry comes shortly after the federal government received recommendations from a major anti-Semitism report. The nation's special envoy against anti-Semitism, Jillian Segal, called for the defunding of universities and cultural institutions that enable or fail to prevent anti-Semitism. Staff and students describe a pervasive "culture of fear" at one of Australia's top universities following a furore over pro-Palestine encampments. University policies had led to self-censorship, restricting their ability to speak openly about pro-Palestinian movements on campus, they told an inquiry convened by Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi, the National Union of Students, the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network and others. Encampments sprung up at university campuses around the world, with students calling on their institutions to cut ties with weapons manufacturers and condemn Israel's war in Gaza. The University of Melbourne ordered protesters to leave its Parkville campus in May 2024 after they occupied a building they named 'Mahmoud Hall' in honour of Mahmoud Alnaouq, a young Palestinian man killed in the Israel-Gaza war who had been set to begin his studies at the university. At the time, deputy vice-chancellor Michael Wesley said protesters had crossed a line and police had advised on how to end the indoor demonstration. Sophie Rudolph, a senior lecturer at the university, told the inquiry there was an "atmosphere of fear" among staff members. "We had a number of concerns over the actions the university has taken that (have) repressed speech and action around solidarity with Palestine, and with the universities' links with weapons manufacturers," she said. Dr Rudolph cited an example of a staff member who was not allowed to display posters supporting Palestine on their office door or wear symbols that expressed their support. "These are minor but they are part of the insidiousness of the repression and they contribute to other staff members who may not feel as confident," she said. "(They) are self-censoring and they are thinking about when they can and cannot have these conversations." Dozens attended the inquiry on Wednesday, while security guards patrolled the building where the gathering took place. A Melbourne University spokesperson said protesting on campus must be conducted peacefully and respectfully. The university said it did not support protest activity that "unreasonably disrupts activities or operations of the university" or the safety and wellbeing of staff and students. "Freedom of speech, and the right to lawful peaceful protest, are respected and supported at the University of Melbourne and are central to our values and identity," the spokesperson said. Organiser Jos Downey detailed conditions protesters faced during their encampment at Monash University, claiming intimidation, abuse and threats from campus security and opposing groups. Jasmine Duff, a leader of the Deakin University encampment, told the inquiry she had been tipped off that gardeners were instructed to disrupt the protesters' sleep, including one incident where they were woken at 2am. Ms Duff, the co-convenor of Students for Palestine, testified that universities had been "extraordinarily repressive" towards students who wished to protest. "Students have been put through serious disciplinary procedures, risking their degrees, for participating in peaceful protests against the genocide in Gaza," she said. "Universities should be havens of free speech and debate, but instead those who speak out against the brutal onslaught in Gaza are punished." The inquiry comes shortly after the federal government received recommendations from a major anti-Semitism report. The nation's special envoy against anti-Semitism, Jillian Segal, called for the defunding of universities and cultural institutions that enable or fail to prevent anti-Semitism.
Perth Now
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Protest crackdown creates 'culture of fear' on campuses
Staff and students describe a pervasive "culture of fear" at one of Australia's top universities following a furore over pro-Palestine encampments. University policies had led to self-censorship, restricting their ability to speak openly about pro-Palestinian movements on campus, they told an inquiry convened by Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi, the National Union of Students, the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network and others. Encampments sprung up at university campuses around the world, with students calling on their institutions to cut ties with weapons manufacturers and condemn Israel's war in Gaza. The University of Melbourne ordered protesters to leave its Parkville campus in May 2024 after they occupied a building they named 'Mahmoud Hall' in honour of Mahmoud Alnaouq, a young Palestinian man killed in the Israel-Gaza war who had been set to begin his studies at the university. At the time, deputy vice-chancellor Michael Wesley said protesters had crossed a line and police had advised on how to end the indoor demonstration. Sophie Rudolph, a senior lecturer at the university, told the inquiry there was an "atmosphere of fear" among staff members. "We had a number of concerns over the actions the university has taken that (have) repressed speech and action around solidarity with Palestine, and with the universities' links with weapons manufacturers," she said. Dr Rudolph cited an example of a staff member who was not allowed to display posters supporting Palestine on their office door or wear symbols that expressed their support. "These are minor but they are part of the insidiousness of the repression and they contribute to other staff members who may not feel as confident," she said. "(They) are self-censoring and they are thinking about when they can and cannot have these conversations." Dozens attended the inquiry on Wednesday, while security guards patrolled the building where the gathering took place. A Melbourne University spokesperson said protesting on campus must be conducted peacefully and respectfully. The university said it did not support protest activity that "unreasonably disrupts activities or operations of the university" or the safety and wellbeing of staff and students. "Freedom of speech, and the right to lawful peaceful protest, are respected and supported at the University of Melbourne and are central to our values and identity," the spokesperson said. Organiser Jos Downey detailed conditions protesters faced during their encampment at Monash University, claiming intimidation, abuse and threats from campus security and opposing groups. Jasmine Duff, a leader of the Deakin University encampment, told the inquiry she had been tipped off that gardeners were instructed to disrupt the protesters' sleep, including one incident where they were woken at 2am. Ms Duff, the co-convenor of Students for Palestine, testified that universities had been "extraordinarily repressive" towards students who wished to protest. "Students have been put through serious disciplinary procedures, risking their degrees, for participating in peaceful protests against the genocide in Gaza," she said. "Universities should be havens of free speech and debate, but instead those who speak out against the brutal onslaught in Gaza are punished." The inquiry comes shortly after the federal government received recommendations from a major anti-Semitism report. The nation's special envoy against anti-Semitism, Jillian Segal, called for the defunding of universities and cultural institutions that enable or fail to prevent anti-Semitism.
The Herald Scotland
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
'Fair rent' campaign launched by Scots university students
And they are calling on the Scottish Government to tighten student housing regulations. Justine Pédussel is the Vice President for Communities at Stirling University Student Union, an elected and salaried full-time position. She explains how student activists banded together to start the campaign, which is part of the National Union of Students (NUS), telling The Herald: 'A group of different sabbatical officers across Scotland who were really passionate about housing came together to deal with the crisis collectively. We identified some of the key problems and how to then fix those.' Student housing is currently not included in rent control protections. (Image: Supplied) Ms Pédussel says that lack of robust regulation is one of the key issues facing student renters. 'When the 2016 Tenancy Act was passed at Holyrood, student tenancies were explicitly excluded within the definition and scope of the bill,' she notes, referring to paragraph 5 of Schedule 1 of the Act, which exempts student housing from normal tenancy rules. 'And so we thought, if we can change that, then a lot of the things that are happening to students regarding their deposits and how long they can stay and the conditions that they live in would all change, because there would suddenly be many more rules and regulations that student accommodation providers would have to follow.' Asked to pinpoint some key issues facing student renters, Ms Pédussel digs out an extensive list of statistics. For example, the price of bespoke student accommodation has increased by over 34% in recent years, she informs me. Furthermore, 93% of student renters reported issues with housing, 42% had mould or mildew, 41% had issues with heating or cooling, and the flats of 22% were infested with mice and rats. Glasgow Caledonian University Student Association President Oluwatomisin Osinubi, or 'Tom Tom,' has also been involved with the campaign. She adds: 'A common theme for students across Scotland is the fact that students don't really have a place in terms of renting rights. The government doesn't have the right view; they just assume that students are people that live with their families or have the money to pay for purpose built student accommodation. But that's not true for everyone. Indeed, NUS figures suggest international or estranged students are at greater risk of becoming homeless. Students gathered at the Scottish Parliament. (Image: Supplied) Ms Osinubi says: 'The rental options available to students are just ridiculously difficult. You're either paying extreme prices for student accommodation, or you're having to sign contracts that are also very difficult. If you're going to private rent from landlords, they ask you for guarantors and they treat students poorly, generally. The term 'hidden homelessness' comes up, which refers to a situation where someone might not exhibit the conventional signs of being homeless. Ms Osinubi explains, noting: "If you are sofa surfing, if you're having to sleep on anybody's couch or stay with a friend because your landlord has evicted you, then you are homeless. 'One particularly big problem that we are always seeing is landlords who take advantage of students. You know, a new student comes to Glasgow who doesn't know anything about Glasgow, and they pay money to a strange person who just disappears with the money.' Ms Pédussel agrees. She says the current rules, which often force students to provide a UK-based guarantor, are driving people into homelessness. 'The guarantor system is a bit of a vicious cycle because in order to rent privately, you have to have a UK-based guarantor or pay up to six months up front,' she says. 'If you can't afford to do that because you don't have a UK based guarantor, for example, if you are a low-income student or an international student, then essentially you have no choice but to apply to student accommodation.' 'If you can't access that because it's really expensive, that's how we end up with a lot of homeless students. In order to avoid that situation, students will stay in really horrible housing without heating or infested with mice and rats.' According to Ms Osinubi, some students have been forced to stay in abusive relationships or unsafe living situations to keep a roof over their heads. She says: 'We've had cases where students were living with family members that were abusive, or with people that 'took them in,'' she repeats this phrase for emphasis, 'and then did stuff like locking them out of the house or giving them times when to come into the flat.' 'Housing is a human right', reads a sign outside McEwan Hall in Edinburgh. (Image: Supplied) Ms Pedussel says the campaign has received a mixed reaction from political parties as the NUS lobbies ahead of crucial votes on the Scottish Government's Housing Bill in the autumn. 'We're trying to give students a voice and highlight a lot of these issues,' she says. 'Some of the political parties have been really interested in engaging with us and listening to what we have to say and have recognized that there's a lot of issues that students are facing. And then there are others who have refused to meet with us and are consistently against the idea that students need to be protected. 'The narrative seems to be very focused on how protecting students will be bad for landlords.' Read more: How Nigel Farage could turn the North East turquoise in 2026 Ambulance waiting times for critically ill patients on rise in all 32 councils 'I will never forgive Nicola Sturgeon', former Justice Secretary says Remembering the pirate DJ who inspired students to pursue radio The Scottish Government's Housing Bill was lodged in March 2024, and has slowly made its way through the parliamentary legislation system. One of the bill's amendments, which would include rent control and leaving notice protections for students residing in university halls and purpose built accommodation, has been praised as a key win for campaigners. In May, cross party MSPs added the amendment to the draft bill over the objections of then-Housing Minister Paul McLennan. Scottish Greens MSP Ross Greer said at the time: 'Far too many students pay sky high rents for halls and other purpose-built accommodation. They deserve the same rights as other renters, and I am glad that MSPs have backed plans to crack down on the accommodation operators ripping off students.' A final vote is expected later this year.
The Advertiser
10-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'Massive' free speech concerns in anti-Semitism plan
Concerns are being raised over a sweeping plan to tackle anti-Semitism as some warn it will stifle legitimate criticisms about Israel. Recommendations in a report from Australia's Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism Jillian Segal are being considered by the federal government as it examines ways to combat a surge in discrimination against Jewish Australians. While it suggests embedding Holocaust education into school curricula and strengthening legislation against hateful conduct, the report also recommends terminating or withholding funds from universities, broadcasters and cultural institutions that fail to address anti-Semitism. It also suggests deporting and the cancelling visas of immigrants who have been involved in discrimination against Jewish people. National Union of Students president Ashlyn Horton raised issues with the way widespread student encampment protests were portrayed. "Conflating actual anti-Semitism with criticism of Israel is a massive, massive concern," she told AAP. "Most student activists who have been part of the Palestine movement have never actually been anti-Semitic ... it is just students who are concerned about the genocide in Gaza and their universities' involvement in weapons manufacturing. "Spinning it in this way of 'the encampments were anti-Semitic, we need to crack down on all freedom of speech now' is absolutely the wrong approach." While there were some cases of anti-Semitic individuals, Ms Horton said student unions were often the first to crack down. First Nations, Palestinian, Arab and Muslim communities would be disproportionately harmed by the plan, the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network warned. Walkley-award winning journalist Jan Fran said Israel had killed nearly 200 people in Gaza since Tuesday, along with ordering Palestinians into what experts labelled an "internment camp". "If the anti-Semitism envoy's plan stifles criticism of Israel for these actions, particularly at public broadcasters and in media organisations broadly, then we are headed down a very dark path," she told AAP. The report also recommended universities and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism, even though it has been accused of conflating anti-Semitism with criticism of Israel and Zionism. Jewish Council of Australia executive officer Max Kaiser labelled the report a "blueprint for silencing dissent" and his organisation said the emphasis on surveillance, censorship and punitive control over funding were "straight out of Trump's authoritarian playbook". But other Jewish groups including the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council called for the plan to be adopted in full. Ms Segal's report found threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians tripled between October 2023 and September 2024. Universities Australia committed to considering the report's recommendations. Concerns are being raised over a sweeping plan to tackle anti-Semitism as some warn it will stifle legitimate criticisms about Israel. Recommendations in a report from Australia's Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism Jillian Segal are being considered by the federal government as it examines ways to combat a surge in discrimination against Jewish Australians. While it suggests embedding Holocaust education into school curricula and strengthening legislation against hateful conduct, the report also recommends terminating or withholding funds from universities, broadcasters and cultural institutions that fail to address anti-Semitism. It also suggests deporting and the cancelling visas of immigrants who have been involved in discrimination against Jewish people. National Union of Students president Ashlyn Horton raised issues with the way widespread student encampment protests were portrayed. "Conflating actual anti-Semitism with criticism of Israel is a massive, massive concern," she told AAP. "Most student activists who have been part of the Palestine movement have never actually been anti-Semitic ... it is just students who are concerned about the genocide in Gaza and their universities' involvement in weapons manufacturing. "Spinning it in this way of 'the encampments were anti-Semitic, we need to crack down on all freedom of speech now' is absolutely the wrong approach." While there were some cases of anti-Semitic individuals, Ms Horton said student unions were often the first to crack down. First Nations, Palestinian, Arab and Muslim communities would be disproportionately harmed by the plan, the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network warned. Walkley-award winning journalist Jan Fran said Israel had killed nearly 200 people in Gaza since Tuesday, along with ordering Palestinians into what experts labelled an "internment camp". "If the anti-Semitism envoy's plan stifles criticism of Israel for these actions, particularly at public broadcasters and in media organisations broadly, then we are headed down a very dark path," she told AAP. The report also recommended universities and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism, even though it has been accused of conflating anti-Semitism with criticism of Israel and Zionism. Jewish Council of Australia executive officer Max Kaiser labelled the report a "blueprint for silencing dissent" and his organisation said the emphasis on surveillance, censorship and punitive control over funding were "straight out of Trump's authoritarian playbook". But other Jewish groups including the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council called for the plan to be adopted in full. Ms Segal's report found threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians tripled between October 2023 and September 2024. Universities Australia committed to considering the report's recommendations. Concerns are being raised over a sweeping plan to tackle anti-Semitism as some warn it will stifle legitimate criticisms about Israel. Recommendations in a report from Australia's Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism Jillian Segal are being considered by the federal government as it examines ways to combat a surge in discrimination against Jewish Australians. While it suggests embedding Holocaust education into school curricula and strengthening legislation against hateful conduct, the report also recommends terminating or withholding funds from universities, broadcasters and cultural institutions that fail to address anti-Semitism. It also suggests deporting and the cancelling visas of immigrants who have been involved in discrimination against Jewish people. National Union of Students president Ashlyn Horton raised issues with the way widespread student encampment protests were portrayed. "Conflating actual anti-Semitism with criticism of Israel is a massive, massive concern," she told AAP. "Most student activists who have been part of the Palestine movement have never actually been anti-Semitic ... it is just students who are concerned about the genocide in Gaza and their universities' involvement in weapons manufacturing. "Spinning it in this way of 'the encampments were anti-Semitic, we need to crack down on all freedom of speech now' is absolutely the wrong approach." While there were some cases of anti-Semitic individuals, Ms Horton said student unions were often the first to crack down. First Nations, Palestinian, Arab and Muslim communities would be disproportionately harmed by the plan, the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network warned. Walkley-award winning journalist Jan Fran said Israel had killed nearly 200 people in Gaza since Tuesday, along with ordering Palestinians into what experts labelled an "internment camp". "If the anti-Semitism envoy's plan stifles criticism of Israel for these actions, particularly at public broadcasters and in media organisations broadly, then we are headed down a very dark path," she told AAP. The report also recommended universities and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism, even though it has been accused of conflating anti-Semitism with criticism of Israel and Zionism. Jewish Council of Australia executive officer Max Kaiser labelled the report a "blueprint for silencing dissent" and his organisation said the emphasis on surveillance, censorship and punitive control over funding were "straight out of Trump's authoritarian playbook". But other Jewish groups including the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council called for the plan to be adopted in full. Ms Segal's report found threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians tripled between October 2023 and September 2024. Universities Australia committed to considering the report's recommendations. Concerns are being raised over a sweeping plan to tackle anti-Semitism as some warn it will stifle legitimate criticisms about Israel. Recommendations in a report from Australia's Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism Jillian Segal are being considered by the federal government as it examines ways to combat a surge in discrimination against Jewish Australians. While it suggests embedding Holocaust education into school curricula and strengthening legislation against hateful conduct, the report also recommends terminating or withholding funds from universities, broadcasters and cultural institutions that fail to address anti-Semitism. It also suggests deporting and the cancelling visas of immigrants who have been involved in discrimination against Jewish people. National Union of Students president Ashlyn Horton raised issues with the way widespread student encampment protests were portrayed. "Conflating actual anti-Semitism with criticism of Israel is a massive, massive concern," she told AAP. "Most student activists who have been part of the Palestine movement have never actually been anti-Semitic ... it is just students who are concerned about the genocide in Gaza and their universities' involvement in weapons manufacturing. "Spinning it in this way of 'the encampments were anti-Semitic, we need to crack down on all freedom of speech now' is absolutely the wrong approach." While there were some cases of anti-Semitic individuals, Ms Horton said student unions were often the first to crack down. First Nations, Palestinian, Arab and Muslim communities would be disproportionately harmed by the plan, the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network warned. Walkley-award winning journalist Jan Fran said Israel had killed nearly 200 people in Gaza since Tuesday, along with ordering Palestinians into what experts labelled an "internment camp". "If the anti-Semitism envoy's plan stifles criticism of Israel for these actions, particularly at public broadcasters and in media organisations broadly, then we are headed down a very dark path," she told AAP. The report also recommended universities and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism, even though it has been accused of conflating anti-Semitism with criticism of Israel and Zionism. Jewish Council of Australia executive officer Max Kaiser labelled the report a "blueprint for silencing dissent" and his organisation said the emphasis on surveillance, censorship and punitive control over funding were "straight out of Trump's authoritarian playbook". But other Jewish groups including the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council called for the plan to be adopted in full. Ms Segal's report found threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians tripled between October 2023 and September 2024. Universities Australia committed to considering the report's recommendations.
West Australian
10-07-2025
- Politics
- West Australian
'Massive' free speech concerns in anti-Semitism plan
Concerns are being raised over a sweeping plan to tackle anti-Semitism as some warn it will stifle legitimate criticisms about Israel. Recommendations in a report from Australia's Special Envoy to Combat Anti-Semitism Jillian Segal are being considered by the federal government as it examines ways to combat a surge in discrimination against Jewish Australians. While it suggests embedding Holocaust education into school curricula and strengthening legislation against hateful conduct, the report also recommends terminating or withholding funds from universities, broadcasters and cultural institutions that fail to address anti-Semitism. It also suggests deporting and the cancelling visas of immigrants who have been involved in discrimination against Jewish people. National Union of Students president Ashlyn Horton raised issues with the way widespread student encampment protests were portrayed. "Conflating actual anti-Semitism with criticism of Israel is a massive, massive concern," she told AAP. "Most student activists who have been part of the Palestine movement have never actually been anti-Semitic ... it is just students who are concerned about the genocide in Gaza and their universities' involvement in weapons manufacturing. "Spinning it in this way of 'the encampments were anti-Semitic, we need to crack down on all freedom of speech now' is absolutely the wrong approach." While there were some cases of anti-Semitic individuals, Ms Horton said student unions were often the first to crack down. First Nations, Palestinian, Arab and Muslim communities would be disproportionately harmed by the plan, the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network warned. Walkley-award winning journalist Jan Fran said Israel had killed nearly 200 people in Gaza since Tuesday, along with ordering Palestinians into what experts labelled an "internment camp". "If the anti-Semitism envoy's plan stifles criticism of Israel for these actions, particularly at public broadcasters and in media organisations broadly, then we are headed down a very dark path," she told AAP. The report also recommended universities and all levels of government adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-Semitism, even though it has been accused of conflating anti-Semitism with criticism of Israel and Zionism. Jewish Council of Australia executive officer Max Kaiser labelled the report a "blueprint for silencing dissent" and his organisation said the emphasis on surveillance, censorship and punitive control over funding were "straight out of Trump's authoritarian playbook". But other Jewish groups including the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council called for the plan to be adopted in full. Ms Segal's report found threats, vandalism and physical violence against Jewish Australians tripled between October 2023 and September 2024. Universities Australia committed to considering the report's recommendations.
