The evidence emerging from the Royal Commission’s hearings into antisemitism at Australian universities this week has been, regrettably, not surprising. It is, however, damning.
The harrowing testimony of Jewish students and staff, together with the evidence of several university vice-chancellors, has laid bare systematic failures of university leadership that allowed antisemitism to flourish almost unchecked on campus, especially after the October 7th attacks by Hamas.
Evidence regarding inaction over the extremist pro-Palestinian encampments and the presence of the now proscribed hate group Hizb ut-Tahrir on some campuses raises serious questions about the judgement and leadership shown at those universities at a time when Jewish students and staff were pleading for protection.
These hearings should be a watershed moment. Australian universities should finally accept responsibility and accountability for their failures and commit to the meaningful reforms – including the adoption of a best-practice antisemitism definition – necessary to restore the safety, confidence and trust of Jewish students and staff.
Above all, AIJAC pays tribute to the extraordinary courage shown by the Jewish students and staff who have come forward to tell their stories.
Dr Colin Rubenstein,
Executive Director, AIJAC