Calls for urgent reform at Australian universities

The Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism (5A) has called for sweeping changes to how universities address antisemitism, lodging a submission to the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion ahead of next week’s Melbourne hearings.

The submission warns there is no quick fix to counter what the group describes as normalised and deeply embedded antisemitism on university campuses, and that significant change will require resources and sustained leadership support.

5A CEO Alisa Pincus said, “While equality, inclusion and well-being are features of universities’ missions and values, many Jewish staff and students conceal their identities for fear of discrimination, retribution or exclusion.

“Intervention by university leaders is the rare exception, leading to a climate in which hostility, intimidation and the use of antisemitic tropes have been normalised.”

The submission recommends a scalable, evidence-based plan to help universities restore a safe and welcoming environment for Jewish staff and students, and calls on the federal government to appoint an expert group, ideally led by the Hon Robert French AC, to review the French Model Code on freedom of speech and academic freedom within 90 days.