Inquiry hears of hate effect
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A Senate inquiry has found Australian universities are failing Jewish students amid rising campus anti-Semitism.
The Labor-led inquiry has condemned universities’ responses as “woefully inadequate”, echoing the historically poor handling of sexual assault and harassment on campuses.
The hearings, driven by hundreds of submissions, revealed a pervasive atmosphere of fear and marginalisation for Jewish students during pro-Palestinian protests in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Canberra in May 2024.
Jewish students reported verbal abuse, threats, and hostile rhetoric during these protests, which lasted for weeks and demanded universities cut ties with weapons manufacturers allegedly supplying arms to Israel.
Many Jewish students said they felt compelled to conceal their identities, avoid campus, or transfer institutions altogether due to the lack of support.
The Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) stated that Jewish students have experienced significant mental health impacts, with one stating; “I am scared to wear a Star of David necklace or say my name which is identifiably Jewish”.
Universities frequently cited free speech obligations in their slow responses to anti-Semitic incidents.
This inaction appears to have left Jewish students feeling abandoned, even as some universities established safe spaces or communicated behavioural expectations.
The inquiry recommended urgent reforms.
Universities are advised to collaborate with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) and the Special Envoy to Combat Antisemitism to improve complaints processes, ensuring these systems are accessible, effective, and known to students.
The committee also urged the Attorney-General to refer an inquiry on anti-Semitism to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights.
The committee rejected calls for a royal commission, arguing it would be too slow, noting the shortest recent royal commission took eight months.
Instead, it recommended swift and proactive action, similar to what universities implemented in combating sexual harassment.
Further recommendations include mandatory anti-Semitism training for university staff and leadership, improved complaint handling, and increased awareness campaigns to foster tolerance.
Universities were also urged to partner with institutions like the Sydney Jewish Museum to develop educational programs and respond decisively to anti-Semitic graffiti or speech.
The committee criticised university leadership for failing to appreciate the severity of anti-Semitism on campuses.
It called for urgent cultural change, urging vice-chancellors to prioritise student safety and take concrete steps to ensure campuses are inclusive environments where Jewish students can participate without fear.
The full report is accessible here.