The Australian, 16 July 2026
University chiefs have failed to lead in antisemitism fight
Editorial
From The Australian
University leaders were distracted by debate over technical definitions of what constituted antisemitism while failing to act swiftly on the reality that was staring them in the face on campus. Evidence to the Bell Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion by Adelaide student “Mika” on Wednesday demonstrates clearly what antisemitism looks like and how our biggest tertiary institutions allowed it to take root and grow. Using a pseudonym, Mika detailed how antisemitism had shifted on campus to become anti-Israel sentiments. Her experience was shared by Jewish students nationwide. It included graffiti, written calls for “death to Israel”, physical assaults and verbal taunts that undermined Jewish students’ sense of safety on campus.
University leaders told the royal commission they were aware of what was happening but their attention was focused elsewhere, including how to deal with encampments on campus that had escalated into violence at universities in other parts of the world. University of Sydney vice-chancellor Mark Scott made the extraordinary admission on Wednesday that his university was told that the now proscribed terrorist group Hizb ut-Tahrir was present at university protests but no action was taken. Students for Palestine protest organiser Yasmine Johnson was free to give a speech to Sydney University in which she advocated a one-state solution and the elimination of the state of Israel.