Outsiders driving uni Jew hatred
Of the 91 incidents on university campuses this year to May 31, 68 occurred after the first encampment on April 25.
A DISTURBING report from the Community Security Group (CSG) in Victoria indicates an explosion of antisemitic incidents at Victorian tertiary institutions since pro-Palestinian encampments began – most of the attacks instigated by campus outsiders.
Of the 91 incidents on university campuses this year to May 31, 68 occurred after the first encampment on April 25.
Campus incidents included assaults, verbal abuse, displays of antisemitic symbols or paraphernalia, stickering, threats, graffiti and photography and videography.
Since the encampments began, the CSG has averaged more than 50 reports of antisemitism a week, a vast majority of which are connected to university campuses. Some reports related to encampments and online calls for activism. By contrast, only 11 campus incidents were reported in 2023, of which nine were after October 7, and only one in 2022.
“Where identified, the perpetrators of serious incidents, such as assault, threats, or verbal abuse, were overwhelmingly individuals unaffiliated to the university at which the incident happened, supporting the hypothesis that outside agitators are driving an unsafe environment for Jewish students on campus,” the report stated.
The language used by pro-Palestinian demonstrators on campus “repeatedly and explicitly expresses for the discrimination against, vilification of or threats of violence against ‘Zionists’,” the report added.
It noted that a 2023 survey by the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation showed 80 per cent of Jewish individuals in Australia identify as Zionists, commonly defined as the right of self-determination by Jews in their ancestral homeland.
“Universities have broadly failed to rein in hostile rhetoric on campus towards Zionism under the guise of academic freedom or freedom of expression. Reports to the CSG include phrases such as ‘Clean the world of Zionism’, ‘Zionism is terrorism’, ‘Zionism is racism’ … such rhetoric has predictably negatively impacted [students’] wellbeing.”
Releasing the CSG survey, the Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV) noted it has coordinated with the Victorian Jewish Campus Taskforce, bringing together the CSG, the Australasian Union of Jewish Students, the Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism, and Zionist Federation of Australia, to provide support to Jewish students and staff across university campuses.
Additionally, the JCCV has proactively supported a Jewish assault victim at a university by bringing in police.
JCCV CEO Naomi Levin said, “Firstly, we urge anyone who encounters antisemitic hate speech, graffiti, or incidents to report them promptly to university hotlines and to CSG. Without reports, effective action cannot be taken. Secondly, support services provided by the JCCV and CSG are readily available for those unsure of how to proceed.”
comments