Jewish students feel ‘unsafe’
A third-year Macquarie University student, who wished to remain anonymous, encountered a poster in the middle of the campus last week appearing to depict Jews as thieves.
Many Jewish students are feeling “unsafe and unwelcome” on campus, with anti-Israel incidents already reported at Macquarie University and at the University of Sydney.
A third-year Macquarie University student, who wished to remain anonymous, encountered a poster in the middle of the campus last week appearing to depict Jews as thieves.
“If I don’t steal it, someone else will,” was the text on the poster.
It was plastered on top of the Macquarie Socialist Society – an affiliated society with the university – with members also reportedly seen handing out anti-Israel posters to new students on campus during orientation week.
The same student saw a similar poster in a different spot on campus, this time depicting a long-nosed character wearing a Star of David and a kippah with the same text.
“The university eventually takes these down, but only after someone complains,” the student told The AJN.
“No further investigation seems to occur as the posters come back.”
A spokesperson for Macquarie University told The AJN that all identified posters have been removed, “and our security teams are monitoring the campus to support a safe environment for all”.
“Macquarie University does not tolerate any unlawful form of discrimination, bullying or harassment,” the spokesperson said.
“This includes antisemitism.”
It follows an incident at the University of Sydney during orientation week when three students reportedly tore down an Israeli flag from the Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) stall.
“A University of Sydney spokesperson said the university was “very concerned” by the reports and was “investigating as a matter of urgency”.
“We strongly support the right of all our students to express their opinions and political views in a safe and legal way,” the spokesperson said.
“We always take action if we are aware of an attempt to damage property, including when it would normally be seen as inhibiting another person’s right to free speech.”
AUJS president Noah Loven said many Jewish students have felt the increase in antisemitism since October 7 and are feeling “very uneasy” about going back on campus.
“The line between freedom of speech and freedom of expression is very blurry at times, but if harm is caused to Jewish students, we expect the administration to take concerns very seriously, and implement policy and procedures that protect Jewish students from harm,” Loven said.
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