Jewish kidnap posters defaced in ‘vile’ act at Sydney University

What kind of ‘diseased mind’ would pull down posters of kidnapped babies and grandmothers, asks the Jewish community in the wake of a vile act of vandalism. Here’s what unfolded.

Heartless vandals have destroyed nine walls of posters of kidnapped Israeli hostages on the grounds of Sydney University, scrawling graffiti over the images, and shredding most - amid an alarming “sharp spike” of anti-Semitic hate incidents in Sydney.

Jewish groups say they are “sickened” by the “defiled” posters, including images of a nine-month-old baby kidnapped by Hamas being torn apart.

The posters, located outside the university’s new law buildings on the main campus thoroughfare, have been systematically pulled down and scratched so not one is left intact. Some have had graffiti including the words “Israel killed” written on top of posters of missing children.

Nearby posters for a banned Solidarity meeting calling for a Palestinian “global intifada” have been left untouched.

Posters of missing Israeli hostages have been vandalised at Sydney University.

In major cities around the world the pulling down of the kidnapped posters has become a flashpoint, with members of the public confronting the vandals and posting videos online.

Australia/Israel and Jewish Affairs Council public affairs director Walt Secord said he was “sickened” to see the spontaneous community-based poster campaign demanding the freedom of the more than 220 Israeli hostages had been defaced and defiled”.

“What kind of diseased mind would tear up posters pleading for the freedom of grandmothers and babies being held by the murderous Hamas terrorists?

Vandalised image of missing baby. Eastern Avenue, Sydney University, outside the new Law Annexe building.

“As an alumni of the University of Sydney, I am mortified to know that there are students on campus who could engage in such a disrespect act.”

Executive Council of Australian Jewry research director Julie Nathan, who has been tracking anti-Semitic incidents more than a decade, said this past month of October had seen more than 100 vile incidents, including threats of rape, beheading, vandalism and gestures of guns being shot, particularly in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

By comparison, last year the month of October saw 38 incidents.

“The hostage posters are being regularly pulled down or scratched, it’s fairly common,” she said.

Posters of missing Israeli hostages have been vandalised at Sydney University.

Posters of missing Israeli hostages have been vandalised at Sydney University.

Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory said there had been numerous examples of harassment of Jewish people in Sydney and Melbourne from members of the Middle Eastern community, some reported in the media while others have not been.

“There’s something wrong with people who tear down pictures of kidnapped children,” he said. “It’s cruel, heartless and can only be the work of deranged minds. Certain Australian universities have become hotbeds of radical leftist antisemitism and incitement to violence.”

He said the entire Jewish community was generally in shock and “many are fearful for their personal safety”.

“There is no question that there are people who now live in Australia who want to hurt us. We work closely with counter-terror police and other authorities. We encourage the Jewish community not to cower in fear but to be proud Jews and proud Australians.”

Robert Gregory from Australian Jewish Association.

Michael Gencher, chief executive officer NSW Jewish Board of Deputies. Picture: Supplied.

Chief Executive Officer NSW Jewish Board of Deputies Michael Gencher said there had been a “sharp spike” in incidents and it “was a major issue”. “It’s a serious concern, it is everywhere, in workplaces, at schools, at universities. It includes verbal abuse, graffiti, intimidate and even physical attacks.”

Australasian Union of Jewish Students University of Sydney vice president Michael Grenier said students were “hurt and scared by events that have taken place on campus”.

“To see our fellow peers ripping down posters on campus, justifying the Hamas terror attacks and some even calling for more to continue is deeply distressing,” he said.

A Sydney University spokeswoman said they remained “committed to freedom of speech and academic freedom during this troubling time but do not tolerate any form of racism, threats to safety, hate speech, intimidation, threatening speech, bullying or unlawful harassment, including anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim language or behaviour”.

“We do not condone the removal of lawful posters from our designated spots on campus if it could be considered to inhibit another person’s right to free speech, and we’ve been clear we will take action if we become aware of possible such attempts to damage property,” she said.

“The University has reached out directly to students of Israeli and Palestinian citizenship or country of residence, to offer additional support including special consideration, peer support and counselling.