Campus protests: A view from a seasoned observer
Sep 28, 2024
A letter sent by the author to Mark Scott, vice-chancellor of the University of Sydney, after he apologised during a Senate hearing for not cracking down on alleged anti-Semitism during protests on the university campus in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
Dear Mark,
I do not underestimate the pressure you would have been under regarding the claim that certain students felt unsafe on campus and I note that you were obliged to make an apology for the alleged existence of anti-Semitism at Sydney.
Having made many visits to the Gaza Strip, to the West Bank and having had several meetings with Israeli leaders of the peace movement and with leaders of Hamas, I have some understanding of anti-Semitism and of anti-Palestinianism.
Back in Sydney, I’ve been disturbed by assumptions that the key prejudice concerns anti-Semitism. The record shows otherwise. In 2015, for example, seminars to discuss death and destruction in Palestine were held by departments of public health, social work/social policy and by the Centre for Peace & Conflict Studies. On each occasion, students representing “Hebrew Studies” arrived in substantial numbers to close down those seminars, one of which was to have included an address by a distinguished Palestinian doctor. Physical intimidation by these invading students and their staff was successful.
No-one made official complaints. It seemed to be taken for granted that any discussion of the plight of Palestinians must be anti-Semitic.
Years earlier, in 2003, I was subject to sustained charges of anti-Semitism over the Sydney Peace Foundations’ choice of the brilliant Palestinian educator and politician, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, as the Peace Prize recipient for that year. During that controversy, I received significant support not only from Premier Bob Carr, but also from former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and from the Sydney University Chancellor Dame Leonie Kramer.
I’m not suggesting that anti-Semitic expressions on the Sydney campus do not exist, but, please, let’s not be overawed by the demands of a hugely powerful lobby at a time when thousands of people in Gaza and the West Bank have been slaughtered.
To put in context the latest surge of anti-Semitism claims, I have resorted to a bit of black humour which I hope you and your advisers would enjoy and which should influence your understanding of Israeli terrorism underway for decades.
Current responses to the Gaza “war” would seem to suggest that anti-Semitism is the priority issue,
With Best Wishes,
Stuart (Rees) AM
Professor Emeritus , University of Sydney
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