Australian antisemitism report proposes university funding cuts, deportations

 

A new national report led by Australia’s special envoy on antisemitism, Jillian Segal, recommends major reforms across multiple sectors in a bid to combat a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents since the Israel-Gaza conflict escalated in late 2023. The wide-ranging plan calls for urgent action in education, immigration, media, and public institutions to tackle hate and “push antisemitism to the margins of society.”

Segal highlighted a disturbing increase in antisemitic violence, including the torching of cars and synagogues, along with physical harassment of Jewish individuals. Her appointment in July 2024 came amid heightened concerns about Jewish safety in Australia, with the report being released just days after an arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne.

One of the core focuses of the report is Australia's higher education sector. It warned that antisemitism had become normalized in many university environments. To address this, it proposed a “report card” system to assess how well universities protect Jewish students and staff. Institutions failing to act against antisemitic conduct could face consequences such as loss of government funding or the withdrawal of grants from offending researchers.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed support for the initiative, stating the government is willing to consider the recommendations and collaborate with civil society. He emphasized that some measures could be implemented quickly, while others would need long-term planning. The overall goal, according to both Segal and Albanese, is to make Jewish Australians feel safe and respected across all areas of public life.

Beyond universities, the report urges broad systemic changes including scrutiny of public funding for cultural bodies and the implementation of strict immigration checks. The plan recommends that any organizations or festivals which promote or ignore antisemitism should be at risk of losing government funding.

It also introduces a new direction for immigration policy, suggesting that visa applicants should be screened for antisemitic views or affiliations. In addition, non-citizens involved in antisemitic behavior could face visa cancellation and deportation. These tough measures reflect the report’s commitment to addressing antisemitism not only as a domestic concern but as a matter of national integrity.

Universities Australia, the body representing 39 higher education institutions in the country, responded by stating it would engage with members to review the proposals. CEO Luke Sheehy acknowledged the challenge of balancing academic freedom with the need to ensure campuses are free of hate and harassment. In February, university leaders agreed to adopt a working definition of antisemitism following earlier consultations with Segal.

Segal’s plan calls for urgent structural and cultural reforms, recognizing that antisemitism has spread through both mainstream and fringe spaces. Online abuse, public defacement, and hate speech are among the issues flagged. She emphasized that antisemitism cannot be addressed piecemeal, but rather demands a comprehensive and sustained response.

The report has sparked national conversation about how far Australia is willing to go to preserve public safety, maintain social cohesion, and uphold principles of tolerance in a time of rising global tensions.

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