Leaders of the Jewish community and organisations representing Jewish university students and staff have called for the removal of all remaining “Globalise the Intifada” election material from University of Sydney land.
The Jewish community has thanked the University for acting promptly to remove violent and extremist material from parts of the campus. However, the continued use of this term in campaign material and as the ticket’s name is unacceptable.
Jewish students and staff should not have to choose between participating fully in university life and avoiding a campus environment in which they encounter intimidatory material. They are entitled to study, teach, work and participate in university life with the same safety, dignity and sense of belonging as every other member of the University community.
Student election processes cannot override the University’s responsibility for what appears on its campus or the safety and wellbeing of its students and staff.
“Globalise the Intifada” is not criticism of the Israeli Government. The Second Intifada resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 civilians through a campaign of suicide bombings, shootings, stabbings and other terrorist attacks. Globalising the intifada is a call to bring that violence against Jews and other Australians to our shores.
The Jewish community is seeking:
• immediate removal of all remaining “Globalise the Intifada” campaign material from University land;
• prohibition of the phrase and materially equivalent expressions that incite or glorify violence in campus campaign and promotional material;
• investigation of who authorised, produced and displayed the material and whether University or SRC rules were breached;
• consideration of whether the ticket, candidates or organisers should be disqualified or otherwise sanctioned; and
• recognition of the impact on students and staff, including reports that people have avoided campus.
Community leaders have also requested an urgent meeting with University leadership to identify what further steps can be taken.
Daniel Aghion KC, President, Executive Council of Australian Jewry: “The intifadas were sustained campaigns of terrorism against civilians. Calling for them to be globalised means calling for that violence to be replicated outside Israel, including in Australia.
“Students can advocate for Palestinian rights and criticise the Israeli Government without advocating, glorifying or calling for violence.”
Rabbi Eli Feldman, Jewish Chaplain, University of Sydney: “Jewish students and staff are frightened and deeply distressed. Some are avoiding campus because they no longer feel safe.
“Moving these posters to approved noticeboards does not change their message or remove their impact.
“Jewish students and staff should not have to walk past a call to spread violence against Jews simply to attend class.”
Greg Joffe, President, NSW Jewish Board of Deputies: “The Jewish community’s position is clear: this material should be removed from the University campus.
“‘Globalise the Intifada’ is not criticism of Israel or its government. It is a call to extend violence against Jews and other civilians, here in Australia and around the world.“
Adjunct Associate Professor David Knoll AM, Chairperson, Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism: “The University’s own framework distinguishes speech that merely offends from conduct that intimidates, harasses or threatens wellbeing.
“This material is causing documented psychosocial harm to staff. The University has both the responsibility and the authority to act.”
Jeremy Suss, President, Australasian Union of Jewish Students: “Jewish students have the same right as every other student to study and participate on campus without fear.
“The University has acknowledged distress, heightened anxiety and feelings of unsafety. It must act on that acknowledgement.
“These posters should be removed from the entire campus, not simply relocated to designated noticeboards.”
