combating antisemitism MHM NEWS

combating antisemitism

Transcript

00:00An Australian report on combating anti-Semitism has recommended cutting funding for universities

00:12that fail to protect Jewish students and screening visa applicants and non-citizens for extremist

00:18views.

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00:24box.

00:24The report proposes a sweeping set of reforms across education, public institutions, online

00:30spaces, media, and immigration to push anti-Semitism to the margins of society.

00:37The plan is an overarching one covering many areas where urgent action is needed, Siegel

00:42said in a news conference on Thursday.

00:45We have seen cars being torched, synagogues being torched, individual Jews harassed and

00:50attacked.

00:51That is completely unacceptable.

00:53Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government welcomed the plan and would consider Siegel's

00:58recommendations.

01:00There's a number of things that can be implemented quickly, he said.

01:03There are a number of things that will require work over a period of time.

01:07This is something that government needs to work with civil society on at all levels.

01:12Siegel was appointed as Australia's special envoy in July 2024 to develop strategies to

01:18combat anti-Semitism, and her report comes days after an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue.

01:24The report singled out universities as a central focus of reform, warning anti-Semitism had become

01:30ingrained and normalized in the sector.

01:33It recommended universities face a report card system that assessed whether their campuses

01:38were safe for Jewish students and staff.

01:41It said universities that failed to act on anti-Semitism should have funding withheld, and grants to researchers

01:48or academics should also be terminated if they engaged in anti-Semitic conduct or hate speech.

01:54Universities Australia, which represents the country's 39 universities, said it would work with its members to consider

02:01the recommendations.

02:01Academic freedom and freedom of expression are core to the university mission, but they

02:07must be exercised with responsibility and never as a cover for hate or harassment, said

02:13CEO Luke Sheehy.

02:14In February, Universities Australia's members agreed to adopt a new definition of anti-Semitism

02:20after consultation with Siegel.

02:23The report also said funding for cultural bodies and festivals should be cut if they promoted or

02:28failed to address anti-Semitism.

02:30It also called for visa applicants to be screened for anti-Semitic affiliations.

02:36Non-citizens involved in anti-Semitism should face visa cancellation and removal from Australia,

02:41it said.