University of Sydney cracks down on student association for ‘genocide’ slide

The University of Sydney has issued an official warning to the Conservatorium of Music’s student body following its use of an orientation event to spruik its pro-Palestine stance on the Gaza conflict.

The University of Sydney has issued an official warning to the Conservatorium of Music’s student body, following its use of an orientation event to spruik its stance on the conflict in Gaza and the rise of anti-Semitism in Australia.

After The Daily Telegraph revealed earlier this year that the controversial slide, attributing rising anti-Semitism to “Israel’s conflation of Judaism with their actions”, was shown at a university open day, the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) lodged a formal complaint.

The complaint, made on behalf of two Jewish students studying at the Conservatorium, argued the slide adversely impacted the wellbeing of Jewish students at the university.

A screen shot of the slide from a student group at Sydney University's Conservatorium of Music. Picture: Supplied.

“The slide promotes disinformation and antisemitism, by falsely suggesting that the massive uptick in antisemitic incidents in Australia is a result of a conflation of Israel’s military actions with Judaism,” the complaint read.

“The Conservatorium is meant to be a place dedicated to musical excellence, not a place

that stokes racial division and platforms antisemitic conspiracy theories.”

Just over a month later the University of Sydney issued a response maintaining that while “the slide was an expression of lawful opinion” that the student body acted inappropriately and “the inclusion of the slide … was insensitive and disrespectful”.

The University justified its decision to issue a warning rather than a finding of misconduct as “an opportunity (for members) to reflect on the impact of their actions … and to encourage everyone to voluntarily improve their conduct in similar circumstances”.

The University of Sydney was the subject of a pro-Palestine encampment last year, which was disbanded after negotiations with the university. Picture – Supplied

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s head of legal aid Simone Abel said the body was satisfied with the University’s response, touting the warning as an important step for Jewish students on campus.

“The handling of the complaint … shows that the university’s independent review recommendations are starting to translate into improved outcomes for Jewish students,” she said.

“The University of Sydney has demonstrated that it is capable of learning from past mistakes and taking action where Jewish students feel vilified.”

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry’s head of legal aid Simone Abel said the body was satisfied with the university’s response. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

The controversial slide shown at an orientation even run by the Conservatorium's student association, detailed the body’s stance on the conflict between Hamas and Israel.

“Our stance is that Israel is committing a genocide against Palestine, attacks on citizens in Lebanon and is in blatant violation of international law,” the slide read.

It also attributed the rise in anti-Semitism in Australia and around the world to “Israel’s conflation of Judaism with their actions in the Levant”.

Following reporting by this masthead the student association issued a statement apologising for the use of the slide.

“The presentation provided an introduction to the various student organisations at the University, the Indigenous and colonial history of the institution … the work of the Association and the various routes for support and welfare while studying,” it read.

“We are aware that one slide within the presentation has caused immense distress amongst members of the Jewish community, and to them we sincerely apologise.”

Despite this, the student body said the contents of the slide came from a previous statement on the war in Gaza and was “written in-part and informed by Jewish members of our executive”.

Originally published as University of Sydney cracks down on student association for ‘genocide’ slide