"Antisemitism" Inquiry at Australian Universities: Fait Accompli?
Farce of an committee hearing to "decide" if to proceed
Contents
A witch-hunt
Rather than spend Parliamentary time on something useful - like investigating or legislating sanctions against Israel’s crimes - the politically fomented Senate Bill for an inquiry into “antisemitism” at Universities had provisional hearings Friday 19th September.1
Recap: a Bill proposing a “Judicial Inquiry into “antisemitism” at Universities” - these were hearings on submitted evidence why/why not to have commission. Which I think pretty much a fait accompli.
The Bill was originally pushed in the House by MP Julian Leeser then taken up by Senator Henderson in the Upper House.
In addition to the inappropriateness of a politically motivated distracting inquiry, a Royal Commission would cost literally MILLIONS upon MILLIONS of taxpayer funded dollars.
But then we’ve just had that with the appointment of the biased “antisemitism envoy” completing the pincer-movement farce to force this inquiry.
Revealing lines of inquiry and testimonies in a complete farce of a hearing - with a script basically written by the pro-Israeli lobby.
How many bloody times are this lot forcing the Parliament to spend time diverting away from the genocide?
The Committee
Chair: Senator Nita Green
Deputy-Chair: Senator Paul Scarr
Senator Sarah Henderson
Senator Helen Polly
Terms of Reference - “ensure discussion is relevant to the Bill itself”
What a witch-hunt led by Senator Henderson - of the pro-Israeli congratulations to the “Antisemitism Envoy” post on 9th July featuring someone wrapped in an Israeli flag - and consistent Israel apologist Senator Paul Scarr.
The Chair had to interrupt Henderson three times to remind her to “respect the witnesses” and the actual terms of reference of the hearings of evidence.
The Jewish Council of Australia Testimony
The Jewish Council of Australia (JCA) presented their evidence from Sarah Schwartz and Dr. Elizabeth Strakosch. It was a brutal setup. From what was meant to be a discussion on the merits of the commission, Senator Scarr proceeded to aggressively question the supposed validity of the JCA to which they noted:
The previous speaker was not of any self-proclaimed “affiliated” organisation - so any less valid?
Did you ask the same questions of any other group?
Not only was this biased inappropriate behaviour - more tellingly - and obviously - echoed the exact policies and calls from the pro-Israeli lobby groups. Scripted for them like an editorial in The Australian.
The JCA opening statement called out the elephant in the room - the dangerous, fomenting collectivisation of all Jewish people with the policies of the State of Israel - antisemitic in itself by the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
Scarr and Henderson went on to specifically challenge the organisation on the terminology “intifada” and “from the river to the sea”. Eventually they noted the true use of the terms to which the Senators scoffed.
Intifada - Arabic for uprising.
From the River to the Sea - calling for equality for all (e.g. an end to ILLEGAL Apartheid policies from the Israeli State for one) - noting in the constitution of Netanyahu’s Likud Party.
Henderson actually had the chutzpah to later say “don’t mischaracterise what I’M staying” !
The JCA quite rightly called out several times that the line of inquiry sounded agenda-driven and that the exceptionalist inquiry was politically motivated and divisive in itself.
Passing final comment from Henderson - knowing full well for the final line in the Hansard record - “thank you, I think we all now know exactly what sort of organisation you are”.
Yep - fair and just.
Scarr and Henderson went to great lengths to parrot the BS from pro-Israeli groups that they are self-declared “representative” of the entire community.
That myth was recently exploded in the UK with the testimony of ex-UK Foreign Minister Sir Alan Duncan. He called out his own party’s “Conservative Friends of Israel” pressure group pushing Israel State policy on the MPs. He specifically called out “representative” community groups in the UK and their forced agenda also. See more detail in “Related Articles” section below but here is an excerpt from a recent interview with his on the very topic Henderson and Scarr trying to push for Australia:
University Testimony
University Chancellors were giving evidence four of them in person. Some revealing evidence and background to some of the Universities.
University of Sydney
University of Melbourne
Australian National University
Monash University
UNSW
University of Adelaide
University of Melbourne
Acknowledging use of the IHRA definition of antisemitism in itself which is worrying - BUT also noting as is missed - it’s a “working” definition, and “acknowledgement” is not full policy-driven acceptance. As the lawfare intensive legal experts in the pro-Israeli lobby would be well aware, but hey, who’s not putting words in people’s mouths when it suits?
But then noting who is on the Board of Melbourne Uni - and a few other organisations:
Monash University
Noted as the most pro-Israeli biased University in Australia and with good reason: named after a celebrated war hero Sir John Monash. But what you don’t hear is that Monash was also the founding President of the Zionist Federation of Australia and New Zealand in 1928.
Monash gave an illuminating speech on founding the ZFA 1928 acknowledging the Balfour Declaration of 1917:2
“The Great Powers have approved the Zionist program and have given us their support. The British Empire has accepted the mandate for Palestine and has challenged Jews of all countries to make use of the unique opportunity of once more making Zion shine in its glory…
As Jews living in Australia, we have a double responsibility Both as Jews and as British citizens, we have to do our share in rebuilding the land of Israel and reviving the cultural and spiritual centre of Judaism. We are in honor bound to do our utmost and to make our share a prominent one.
Organization is the first step. The Australian Zionist Federation has secured the services of an able organizer, of a man thoroughly acquainted with the needs and problems of Palestine.. with such an army of organized Zionists. the power to cope with out great task is assured. I rely upon my fellow Jews of Australia to rally and support the Australian Zionist Federation”
A direct call to the pro-Israeli lobby (notably and antisemitically collectivising as “all Jewish people” even then to the JCA’s point) in Australia.
I think the current Board Member of Melbourne University would have been a bit obvious on Monash Board - divide and conquer and all that.
Regardless - Monash noted they were spending over $1 Million on an independent study into antisemitism on campus.
Adelaide University
Brief from my notes - impressed that they stood up and stated they determined that:
“in the context of campus protest activity context phrases chanted were NOT antisemitic” (and not talking about “intifada” or “from the river to the sea”)
And notably the only remote University to acknowledge Aboriginal Land.
University of Sydney
And so to Sydney. I don’t agree with Mark Scott’s testimony (see Appendix: University of Sydney Testimony) - but I also don’t agree with the pro-Israeli lobbies calls for him to resign for months.
And the consistent calls from both Scarr and Henderson for him to resign during their “questioning”, cajoling him, boxing him into a corner, rescued by the Chair a few times.
Ridiculous parroting of the pro-Israeli lobby lines.
Regardless Scott noted the University capitulation:
An independent inquiry into antisemitism on campus
Admitting that the Campus Access Policy sneaked in between terms was specifically created to prevent encampments and to crack down on protest (this is interesting legally, see what comes from this in the future but I’m sure the human rights lawyers are on it)
Promising to work with the “antisemitism” envoy in future
Is anyone going to investigate the direct confrontation on campus of peaceful protestors by right-wing leaders of pro-Israeli groups? A six foot four martial arts expert, soldier and CEO of the AJA? Grown men who should know better confronting and antagonising young kids (sorry to condescend guys but let’s be real for these thugs). That would make me feel unsafe…
Scott followed up that afternoon with an all staff and student email to Sydney University doubling-down on the commitment to work with a one-sided envoy.
IHRA Definition of Antisemitism: Impact on European Universities
In 2023 the European Legal Support Centre - an NGO monitoring the legality of free speech on Palestine in the EU - produced two reports on legal violations of free speech and right of assembly, citing generalisations of interpretation of the IHRA definition.
Violating the rights to freedom of expression and assembly
in the European Union and the UK (June 2023)3
Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom in UK Higher Education: The Adverse Impact of the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism (Sep 2023)4
Both reports look at 96 cases studies between them over a 5 year period between 2017 and 2022 and conclude adoption of the IHRA definition leads to suppression of freedom of speech in its “catch all” phrasing.
This is off the back of an open letter to the UN General Secretary in April 2023 from 104 human rights organisations, raising concerns on the IHRA definition and possible use by the UN making it more difficult to call out human rights violations.5
Note all of this prior to October 7th - noting the push for the IHRA Definition from 2016 in response to Israel’s then violation of human rights in the 2014 Operation Protective Edge which then caused an unprecedented 2000 Palestinian deaths and invoked international outcry.
This case was being prosecuted at the ICC prior to October 7th6 despite the attempts by the then Mossad Chief in threatening the ICC Prosector. 7
The push of the IHRA Definition was just one response to try to shut down future criticism.
Envoy: “US is the Gold Standard”
And so the “Antisemitism” Envoy had a full day to herself giving evidence to the hearing of why such an inquiry was needed.
The obvious reverse logic was the predictable interpretation of “unsafe” and “antisemitism” - LITERALLY feeling uncomfortable with criticism of Israel. If you repeat it often enough it doesn’t make it true.
More worryingly was her constant reference to the US as “The Gold Standard” in Antisemitism - quoting policies written by a few select US Universities. Columbia University has just suspended due process for student protestors charged with their definition of antisemitism - so never mind the definition is that removal of a fair trial “gold standard”? WTF.8
This after a taxpayer-funded trip to Argentina to meet with global antisemitism envoys a week after her rushed appointment.
Noting that the US University policies were literally written by the pro-Israeli lobby in the US and duplicated almost word for word.9
And is the below an example of the kind of line of questioning we want to hear in our Australian Institutions?
Regardless - with the bias shown here and the pro-Israeli lobby in Government - the inquiry is surely a fait accompli.
Foreign State influence in plain sight.
APPENDIX: University of Sydney Testimony
Opening Statement to the Parliamentary Commission 20 Sep 2024.
Professor Mark Scott
Vice-Chancellor and President
Opening Statement
Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Mark Scott, The University of Sydney
There can be no doubt that antisemitism is rising across Australian society - and that trend is reflected on university campuses, including the University of Sydney.
This has accelerated since the horrific events of October 7 and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In my long career in education and the media, I have never encountered an issue that's generated more anguish, grief and anger.
In my many meetings with Jewish staff, students, alumni and community, I have heard firsthand of their experiences of antisemitism.
I have read the complaints that have been made to the University - and all of those shared in submissions to this inquiry and to the Special Envoy.
The testimonials are heart-breaking and unacceptable. And for that I am sorry.
No one should feel at risk, unsafe or unwelcome at any place of learning.
No one should feel the need to hide their identity or stay away from classrooms or campuses.
The University has a responsibility to take active steps to ensure a safe environment free from discrimination and we take these responsibilities seriously.
We have taken many actions, which I am happy to detail, including establishing an independent review of all relevant university policies and processes to be undertaken by Bruce Hodgkinson, a pre-eminent Senior Counsel with expertise in health and safety.
But we clearly have to do more.
As the Special Envoy's submission makes clear, there is no single solution to defeating antisemitism - and I have written to the Special Envoy outlining our genuine commitment to working with her office to combat this scourge across university campuses.
And if a judicial inquiry is a necessary part of the solution, then we welcome it.
Let me touch on the encampment.
The establishment of the encampment on our campus in late April presented a difficult period for the University, its students and staff.
In managing the encampment, we prioritised engagement, non-violence and a peaceful resolution.
However, we acknowledge the distress its very presence caused for a great number of people, including Jewish members of our staff and student body.
At all times, we were trying to balance our obligations to ensure the health and safety - including the psychosocial safety - of the entire diverse university community, with our commitments to academic freedom and free speech.
This was a complex, fast-moving environment where we were meeting daily and making multiple decisions based on the best information we had available at the time and taking the advice of experts, particularly the police and security agencies.
Did we get every decision right during this time? There are clearly very different views on that and I recognise that we did not always meet the expectations of the Jewish community.
For one, I regret that we did not communicate the agreement to end the encampment with the Jewish community before it was announced.
I realise there is a lot of work to do to win back the trust and confidence of the University's Jewish community. I am committed to that.
We are taking the time to listen deeply, to review and refine our approach. We remain open to making further changes and working with the Special Envoy as part of our commitment to develop and evolve - to ensure the University is safe and welcoming for all and that we do everything we can to combat antisemitism.
RELATED ARTICLES
Summary of Sleekit Scotsman ☮️🏴 Substack Related Articles to this topic:
ℹ️ 🇦🇺🎓 Sydney University: Monitoring Free Speech - pro-Palestine respected panel forced to move to another room “so the University could record the event to monitor for illegal or antisemitic speech”
Sydney University: Monitoring Free Speech
Sydney University Students for Palestine recently hosted a panel discussion on Palestine to raise awareness of what’s going on. After the University’s Draconian “Campus Access Policy” slipped in quietly before term - the Uni demanded the event be recorded.
ℹ️🇮🇱🇬🇧 Sir Alan Duncan breaks ranks and speaks out on the pro-Israeli lobby in the UK:
ℹ️ 🇺🇸 US Universities: McCarthyism
REFERENCES:
Australian Parliament of Australia website - “Commission of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities Bill 2024 (No. 2)“ - https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Legal_and_Constitutional_Affairs/AntisemitismBill
Jewish Telegraphic Agency: Daily Mail Service from Sep 9 1928: “Sir John Monash heads the Australian Zionist Federation“ - https://www.jta.org/archive/sir-john-monash-heads-the-australian-zionist-federation
European Legal Support Centre Website - Report Jun 2023: Violating the rights to freedom of expression and assembly in the European Union and the UK - https://res.cloudinary.com/elsc/images/v1685978238/The-Practice-of-Suppressing-Palestinian-Rights-Advocacy-FINAL-PP/The-Practice-of-Suppressing-Palestinian-Rights-Advocacy-FINAL-PP.pdf?_i=AA
European Legal Support Centre Website - Report Sep 2023 - Freedom of Speech and Academic Freedom in UK Higher Education: The Adverse Impact of the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism: https://res.cloudinary.com/elsc/images/v1694507437/Freedom-of-Speech-and-Academic-Freedom-in-UK-Higher-Education-BRISMES-ELSC/Freedom-of-Speech-and-Academic-Freedom-in-UK-Higher-Education-BRISMES-ELSC.pdf?_i=AA
Human Rights Watch April 4 2023 “Human Rights and other Civil Society Groups Urge United Nations to Respect Human Rights in the Fight Against Antisemitism: Joint Letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Under Secretary-General Miguel Ángel Moratinos“ - https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/04/04/human-rights-and-other-civil-society-groups-urge-united-nations-respect-human
International Criminal Court website: Investigation into the Situation in the State of Palestine: ICC-01/18: https://www.icc-cpi.int/palestine
The Guardian 28 May 2024 - “Revealed: Israeli spy chief ‘threatened’ ICC prosecutor over war crimes inquiry“ - https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/28/israeli-spy-chief-icc-prosecutor-war-crimes-inquiry
The Intercept Aug 29 2024 “COLUMBIA CUTS DUE PROCESS FOR STUDENT PROTESTERS AFTER CONGRESS DEMANDS HARSHER PUNISHMENT“ - https://theintercept.com/2024/08/29/columbia-campus-protests-gaza-subpoena
Stand With Us March 28 2024 - “StandWithUs Urges Universities Nationwide to Adopt Best Practices for Anti-Israel Protests on Campus“ - https://www.standwithus.com/post/standwithus-urges-universities-nationwide-to-adopt-best-practices-for-anti-israel-protests-on-campus