Universities in Australia threaten funding cuts in the face of planned anti-Semitism measures
Universities in Australia threaten funding cuts in the face of planned anti-Semitism measures
in Brisbane, Australia, the country's universities face cuts in financing if they are not sufficiently against anti -Semitic hate crimes. These new measures were proposed by Jillian Segal, the first anti -Semitism representative of Australia, which was appointed a year ago in response to an increase in attacks on Jewish institutions and property, which was triggered by the invasion of Israel in Gaza.
report on anti -Semitic incidents
On Thursday, Segal, alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, presented a report that was nine months in creation. In this report, among other things, strict measures are proposed, including the threat of cuts in university financing and the review of visa applicants on extremist views. "The plan does not aim at a special treatment of a certain community; it is about restoring equal treatment for everyone," said Segal. "It is about ensuring that every Australian, regardless of their origin or their faith, can live in this country, work, learn and thrive."
decline in protests on campus
As in the United States, Australian universities were once a center for pro-Palestinian protests. However, these protests decreased after the restrictive measures were tightened and some demonstrators were threatened with the exclusion. Segal's report emphasizes that anti-Semitism has become "anchored and normalized" in the academic world and on the university campus. It is therefore recommended to assess universities annually to measure their effectiveness in the fight against anti -Semitism.increase in anti -Semitic attacks
Anti -Semitic attacks in Australia rose by 300 % in October 2023 in October 2023. In the past week alone, the door of a synagogue in Melbourne was set on fire, which forced 20 people to flee through the rear exit, while nearby protesters "Death of the IDF" (Israeli defense forces) called and stormed a restaurant operated by Israelis.
A man is faced with accusations for arson for the synagogue for the attack on the synagogue, while three people were charged with the restaurant robbery for bodily harm, nausea, rioting and property damage. The Executive council of the Australian Jewry Current “in view of the recently occurred shocking incidents in Melbourne.
concerns about the measures
the Jewish Rat of Australia in Gaza rejected, expressed concerns about Segal's plan. The Council fears that the proposals for surveillance, censorship and punitive control over the financing of cultural and educational institutions that resemble the authoritarian style of US President Donald Trump. Max Kaiser, the executive director of the group, said: "A reaction that treats anti-Semitism as particularly, while ignoring Islamophobia or anti-Palestinian racism, will be doomed."
recommendations for education and media surveillance
The 20-page plan of the representative contains comprehensive recommendations on schools, immigration, media, police work and public educational campaigns. Segal demands that Holocaust and Anti-Semitism formation becomes part of the national curriculum to show where uncontrolled anti-Semitism can lead. Art organizations could also be exposed to the same restrictions as universities, they should be involved in anti -Semitic actions.
"While the freedom of expression, in particular the artistic diversity, is essential for cultural diversity, funds funded by Australian taxpayers should not be used to promote division or to spread incorrect distorted narrative", the report is emphasized. As part of the recommendations, a stricter examination of immigration applications would sort out people with anti -Semitic views, and the Immigration Act would enable the authorities to revoke visas based on anti -Semitic behavior.
media surveillance and social responsibility
The media should be monitored to promote "correct, fair and responsible report" and "avoid false or distorted narratives". Prime Minister Albanese referred to an interview statement of a protest that tried to justify and explained the restaurant attack in Melbourne: “There is no justification for this. The idea that justice for Palestinians is promoted by such behavior is not only illusory, but also destructive and in contradiction in contrast in a democracy. can. "
When asked whether Australia had become more intolerant compared to different views, Albanese pointed to social media. "I think social media have an influence in which algorithms work to reinforce the views of people. They drive people to extreme positions, whether extremely left or extremely right. The Australians want a country that is in the middle."
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