Australia antisemitism report proposes university funding cuts, deportations

An Australian report on combating antisemitism 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 antisemitism Jillian Segal, responds to a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents across Australia since the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault and the start of the war in Gaza.

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

“The plan is an overarching one covering many areas where urgent action is needed,” Segal says in a news conference.

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

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the government welcomed the plan and will consider Segal’s recommendations.

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

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

Segal was appointed as Australia’s special envoy in July 2024 to develop strategies to combat antisemitism, and her report comes days after an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue.

The report singles out universities as a central focus of reform, warning antisemitism had become “ingrained and normalized” in the sector.

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

It says universities that fail to act on antisemitism should have funding withheld, and grants to researchers or academics should also be terminated if they engage in antisemitic conduct or hate speech.

Universities Australia, which represents the country’s 39 universities, says it will 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,” says CEO Luke Sheehy.

The report also says funding for cultural bodies and festivals should be cut if they promote or fail to address antisemitism.

It also calls for visa applicants to be screened for antisemitic affiliations. “Non-citizens involved in antisemitism should face visa cancellation and removal from Australia,” it says.