MEDIA RELEASES

Joint statement on the University of Sydney

Jun 27, 2024 | AIJAC

Protest Encampment 4 Palestine (2024) At USYD 02

We are appalled and deeply concerned by the agreement that was reached on June 21 by the University of Sydney and representatives of protesters who had camped on the University’s grounds for the previous eight weeks. Many of the protesters were from outside the University, yet they were allowed to menace the University community and disturb campus life without challenge. They have now been rewarded for doing so.

The University entered into an agreement with a group acting in concert with the extremist Hizb ut-Tahrir organisation to participate in a working group to review the University’s investments and defence and security-related research activities. No other university in Australia has gone this far.

The University of Sydney agreement has been widely and rightly condemned as a capitulation by the University and celebrated by extremists. A group working in concert with Hizb ut-Tahrir declared last Friday that “[Our] resilience has worked in our favour across many fronts, most particularly being the catalyst for the negotiations with the Uni.”

This agreement can only act as an incentive for further and more extreme disruption at the University in the future.

Leading national security experts, including Peter Jennings and Dennis Richardson, have rightly raised serious questions about the University’s capacity to conduct sensitive national security research in light of this agreement. Others have questioned the appropriateness of continued federal funding to the University of Sydney.

Based on our interactions to date, we have lost confidence in the capacity of the University to provide for the physical, cultural and psycho-social safety of Jewish students and staff members. This is not just our view. We have been made aware that several academic staff, some of them leaders in their fields and employees of long standing, have already notified the University of their decision to leave the institution. We have also been informed that a number of Jewish students are now considering shifting to other Universities.

We have also rejected the University’s offer, extended to us after an agreement had been reached behind our backs, to participate in the proposed process to review the University’s investment and research activities. The process is in our view a sham and we will have nothing to do with it. We encourage all individuals and groups of standing likewise not to engage with or lend credibility to such a fundamentally flawed process.

We continue to explore all options to ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and staff at the University of Sydney and stand ready to provide support and assistance to Jewish students and staff at the University, as well as those who now wish to leave the University.

RELATED ARTICLES


Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC frustrated and shocked at ABC Ombudsman’s rejection of complaint against an “open and shut” case of factual error

Nov 4, 2024 | Featured, Media Releases
UNRWA headquarters in Gaza (Image: Anas Mohammed/ Shutterstock)

AIJAC statement on passage of Israeli legislation to ban UNRWA

Oct 29, 2024 | Featured, Media Releases
Professor Yehuda Bauer (Image: Stephan Röhl/ Creative Commons)

AIJAC mourns towering Holocaust scholar Yehuda Bauer

Oct 23, 2024 | Media Releases
Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar speaks in Gaza city (Image: Abed Rahim Khatib/ Shutterstock)

Statement on the death of Hamas terror mastermind Yahya Sinwar

Oct 18, 2024 | Media Releases
Image: Shutterstock

AIJAC welcomes new Iran missile sanctions, but calls for more coordination with allies

Oct 15, 2024 | Featured, Media Releases
The “encampment” at the University of Sydney (Image: X/Twitter)

AIJAC deeply dismayed at Senate Committee decision not to recommend judicial inquiry into campus antisemitism

Oct 2, 2024 | Featured, Media Releases

RECENT POSTS

GbVvR9GWgAAfPGb (1)

“Backbone”? UNRWA delivers just 13% of the aid in Gaza

UNRWA headquarters in Gaza (Image: Anas Mohammed/ Shutterstock)

Global community incensed by Israel’s banning of UNRWA should consider its ugly history

The sentiment is clear on the streets of Kuala Lumpur (Image: Shutterstock)

Malaysia’s recalcitrant antisemitism

Screenshot 2024 02 08 At 9.45.23 pm

Gaza polio clinic blast coverage a classic case of ABC bias

Screenshot

Letter: Wong got it wrong

GbVvR9GWgAAfPGb (1)

“Backbone”? UNRWA delivers just 13% of the aid in Gaza

UNRWA headquarters in Gaza (Image: Anas Mohammed/ Shutterstock)

Global community incensed by Israel’s banning of UNRWA should consider its ugly history

The sentiment is clear on the streets of Kuala Lumpur (Image: Shutterstock)

Malaysia’s recalcitrant antisemitism

Screenshot 2024 02 08 At 9.45.23 pm

Gaza polio clinic blast coverage a classic case of ABC bias

Screenshot

Letter: Wong got it wrong

SORT BY TOPICS