Australian report to fight anti-Semitism proposes university funding cuts, deportations

SYDNEY - An Australian report on combating anti-Semitism has recommended cutting funding for universities that fail to protect Jewish students, and screening visa applicants and non-citizens for extremist views.

The plan, led by Australia’s special envoy on anti-Semitism, Ms Jillian Segal, responds to a sharp rise in anti-Semitic incidents across Australia since the start of Israel’s war in Gaza in late 2023.

The report proposes a sweeping set of reforms across education, public institutions, online spaces, media and immigration to “push (anti-Semitism) to the margins of society”.

“The plan is an overarching one covering many areas where urgent action is needed,” Ms Segal said at a news conference on July 10.

“We have seen cars being torched, synagogues being torched, individual Jews harassed and attacked. That is completely unacceptable,” she added.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government welcomed the plan and would consider Ms Segal’s recommendations.

“There are a number of things that can be implemented quickly,” he said. “There are a number of things that will require work over a period of time.”

“This is something that government needs to work on with civil society at all levels,” he added.

Ms Segal was appointed as Australia’s special envoy in July 2024 to develop strategies to combat anti-Semitism, and her report comes days after an

arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue.

The report singled out universities as a central focus of reform, warning that anti-Semitism had become “ingrained and normalised” within academia, university courses and campuses.

It recommended universities face a “report card” system that assesses whether their campuses are safe for Jewish students and staff.

It said universities that failed to act on anti-Semitism should have funding withheld, and public grants to researchers or academics should also be terminated if they are found to be engaged in anti-Semitic conduct or hate speech.

Universities Australia, which represents the country’s 39 universities, said it would work with its members to consider the recommendations.

“Academic freedom and freedom of expression are core to the university mission, but they must be exercised with responsibility and never as a cover for hate or harassment,” said its chief executive Luke Sheehy.

In February, its members agreed to adopt a new definition of anti-Semitism after consultation with Ms Segal.

The report also said funding for cultural bodies and festivals should be cut “where the institution or festival promotes, facilitates or does not deal effectively with hate or anti-Semitism”.

It also called for visa applicants to be screened for anti-Semitic affiliations. “Non-citizens involved in anti-Semitism should face visa cancellation and removal from Australia,” it said. REUTERS