Two Sydney universities investigate academic for protest remarks

A professor is being investigated for alleged hate speech by two Sydney universities after saying “Jews should feel uncomfortable”, while pointing to a Jewish student at a pro-Palestine rally at UTS.

Two Sydney universities are investigating a serious incident of alleged hate speech after an academic made “vilifying” remarks towards a Jewish student during a pro-Palestine protest at UTS.

Associate Professor Peter Slezak, who does not work at UTS and was previously employed at UNSW, addressed a pro-Palestine rally on Wednesday, referencing Palestinian activist and academic Randa Abdel-Fattah during his speech.

During his speech, Assoc Prof Slezak pointed to Jewish UTS student Daniel Melamed, who was holding an Israeli flag.

Assoc Prof Slezak told the crowd: “I agree with Randa when she says Jews, in particular, should feel uncomfortable and it’s our duty to make them uncomfortable – and that includes the fellow over there.”

The crowd can be heard cheering Assoc Prof Slezak after he directed his comments toward Mr Melamed.

Associate Professor Peter Slezak speaking at the pro-Palestine rally.

A video of the incident has been widely circulated among several students at UTS.

According to UNSW’s website, the academic previously worked within the School of Humanities and Languages.

Mr Melamed told The Daily Telegraph he felt “uncomfortable” after being allegedly targeted by Assoc Prof Slezak.

“It’s become such a regular occurrence of anti-Semitic attacks at universities, it’s numbed me,” he said.

“I hope that all of the people involved face serious repercussions including the UTS Students Association, who were running this meeting.

“I’ve made a complaint to UTS management and hopefully they take this seriously and investigate the matter.”

A UTS spokeswoman said the university was aware of concerns raised as a result of Wednesday’s rally.

“Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Parfitt has been clear and continues to make very clear to all staff and students, that while UTS supports the right for students and staff to discuss and debate contentious issues, this should not be at the expense of the safety and wellbeing of others,” the spokeswoman said.

The university has zero tolerance for any form of racism or discrimination.

An investigation into comments made at the rally is underway.”

A letter of complaint, sent to the UTS by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, said Assoc Prof Slezak’s wording was vilifying.

Peter Slezak was previously a senior academic at the University of NSW.

“The ‘fellow’ Mr Melamed … had the traumatic experience of being jeered at last year at the rally at UNSW, where the crowd shouted ‘go back to Europe’, only to have recently transferred his studies to UTS, where he has again been singled out in public this way,” the letter of complaint said.

“We ask that UTS makes a public statement that it condemns the wording used by Peter Slezak, as well as any other anti-Semitic conduct that took place at the rally, so as to draw a line in the sand on this type of unacceptable behaviour.”

A UNSW spokeswoman said Assoc Prof Slezak was not a current staff member at UNSW Sydney.

“UNSW has received a complaint in relation to the comments mentioned and has referred it to Human Resources to manage in accordance with the UNSW Complaints Management and Investigations Policy & Procedure,” the spokeswoman said.

“UNSW stands categorically against all forms of anti-Semitism.

“The university takes disciplinary action against cases of anti-Semitism under our policies and our code of conduct.”