Two-thirds of Jewish uni students have experienced antisemitism
Call for PM to establish working group
A nationwide survey of Australian university students has revealed widespread antisemitism on Australian university campuses. The survey report, which will be released on Tuesday 15 August, reveals that 64 per cent of Australian Jewish university students have experienced antisemitism at university. One-in-five Jewish students have avoided campus to avoid antisemitism. And over half have hidden their Jewish identity at university for the same reason.
Key information about the survey can be found here.
Approximately one in fourteen Jewish university students took part in the survey.
The survey was carried out by the Social Research Centre. It was commissioned by the Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) and the Zionist Federation of Australia (ZFA), and financially supported by the Scanlon Foundation.
ZFA President Jeremy Leibler said, “These results should be met with alarm by Australian universities and the government. For years, Jewish student claims about antisemitism on campus have largely been falling on deaf ears. This survey is a wake-up call. It is unconscionable that over half of Australia’s Jewish university students have felt they had to hide their identity in order to protect themselves. We are calling on the Albanese Government to establish a working group to assess what actions universities and state and federal governments should take on this appalling situation.”
AUJS President Alissa Foster said, “The results of the survey reinforce what I hear daily as president of AUJS. Jewish students are facing antisemitism on campus, they are concealing their identity and our universities have been failing Jewish students. I sincerely hope decision makers sit down with this data and reflect on the severity of the problem. Jewish students deserve to feel that they are seen, heard and represented on campus, and as concerning as these results are, I believe they must be used to start a long-overdue conversation.”
Scanlon Foundation CEO Anthea Hancocks said, “The Scanlon Foundation recognises the very insidious impact that antisemitism, and discrimination more broadly, can have on the ability for individuals to trust others and institutions. Discrimination for the individual victim undermines their sense of worth and their ability to fully participate in our society. This survey has provided insights into the extent and impact of antisemitism in universities. It is essential that we use this information to reflect on our systems and responses to negative experiences and make changes to create more accepting and welcoming environments.”
