Universities are coming under scrutiny over their handling of protests, with some incidents described as 'highly personal' attacks by Jewish academics and students. A royal commission in Australia is investigating antisemitism and social cohesion on campuses, examining how universities respond to hate and protect minority groups.
Professor Steven Prawer, a physics academic at the University of Melbourne, testified about an incident in October 2024 when around 20 pro-Palestine students occupied his office for nearly two hours. The professor, who is Jewish and describes himself as a Zionist, feared it could be a 'terrorist attack' due to its timing – just a year after atrocities in Israel.
The protest was against the university's partnerships with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which Professor Prawer leads. Two protesters were recommended for expulsion or suspension but had their disciplinary action overturned on appeal. Professor Prawer questioned the deterrent effect of this decision and expressed his concerns about potential 'Hamas connections' among the protesters.
Witnesses at the commission highlighted the anxiety felt by Jewish students on campuses, including Jeremy Suss, President of the Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS), who described consoling undergraduates after antisemitic incidents. He also recounted his own experience being 'aggressively' questioned and threatened after a Jewish event.
The University of Melbourne has since banned indoor protests, and its spokesperson acknowledged the 'significant impact' on Professor Prawer. The interim Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glyn Davis, is scheduled to appear before the commission to provide further testimony.