Jewish Leader Argues Pro-Palestine Chants and Encampments Are Anti-Semitic
David Adler emphasized that stronger federal leadership could have prevented the encampments in universities from spreading further.
Expressing concern for the safety of Jewish students following pro-Palestine rallies at Australian universities, Australian Jewish Association (AJA) President David Adler questioned the federal government’s lack of action in the wake of these events.
Adler highlighted the encampments on university campuses where pro-Palestine students are demanding the cessation of ties with weapons manufacturers supplying arms to Israel.
While clashes between pro-Palestine activists and members of the Australian Union of Jewish Students occurred at Melbourne University on May 2, Adler lamented the lack of intervention from federal leadership to stop the encampments.
Adler criticized the current Australian government’s stance on Israel and the Jewish community, noting that if individuals were to set up unauthorized camps elsewhere, they would be swiftly removed.
He further expressed disappointment in the university leaders’ responses to the situation, particularly citing University of Sydney’s vice-chancellor Mark Scott’s tolerance of inflammatory anti-Israel slogans.
Regarding the issue, federal minister for education Jason Clare emphasized the importance of safety and condemned hate speech on university campuses, emphasizing universities’ autonomy in handling such matters.
Adler also noted the distinction between the pro-Palestine movement and other geopolitical conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine issue, underscoring the anti-Semitic nature of the encampments and slogans seen in Australian universities.
While not predicting a world war, Adler called for decisive action against Hamas in light of recent terrorist attacks on Israelis.
