Sydney uni boss forewarned by Jewish leaders about radical Islamist group on campus

Jewish leaders have accused University of Sydney vice chancellor Mark Scott of failing to act on warnings a radical Islamist group had infiltrated the pro-Palestinian encampment as early as May.

Jewish leaders alerted University of Sydney vice chancellor Mark Scott that radical international Islamist group, Hizb ut-Tahrir had infiltrated the pro-Palestinian encampment on campus, more than one month before he claimed to seek advice from police.

In an email from University of Sydney chief of staff Darren Goodsir to Jewish leaders seen by The Daily Telegraph, the University executive confirmed he had been informed Hizb ut-Tahrir had been active on campus as early as 6 May.

The email was in response to communication from the Jewish community accusing the University executive of failing to investigate the matter until media reports surfaced on the Islamist group’s involvement on campus on 16 June.

In Mr Goodsir’s response he said he only directly passed on the information to the University’s internal security.

“I confirm you raised specific concerns with me in early May,” Mr Goodsir wrote in the email sent on 21 June.

The pro Palestine protest camp at the University of Sydney, which has now been dismantled. Picture: Richard Dobson

“Since last October, but more regularly in the past few months since the encampment began, the University has been in contact with police and other relevant security agencies.

“In May, I passed your concerns to our Protective services division, who also liaise regularly with police and other relevant security agencies.”

Mr Goodsir said he and Mr Scott had met with Police Minister Yasmin Catley and senior police last week to seek advice on Hizb ut-Tahrir.

A spokesperson for Ms Catley said she had only learned of the presence of the radical Islamist after media reports in June.

A University of Sydney spokeswoman said the University could not act sooner as Hizb ut-Tahrir was “not deemed a terrorist organisation by authorities” and can “legally appear at rallies and events across NSW”.

“The University is not itself in a position to identify organisations that may be extremist, radicalised or potentially violent,” the spokeswoman said.

Extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir had allegedly infiltrated the campus campsite. Picture: Richard Dobson

“This identification is made by governments and police, and we are directed by them.

“We require clear grounds and evidence before we act to revoke someone’s access to our lands.”

Jewish leaders have labelled the university’s engagement with the Jewish community as “disingenuous”, and have accused Mr Scott of only acting on the concerns of the Jewish community after significant media attention on Hizb ut-Tahrir’s presence at the encampment.

In a letter to staff and students on 18 June, Mr Scott said he was seeking advice from authorities.

“You may be aware that on Sunday, concerning allegations regarding external influences on the protest encampment were raised in the media,” he wrote.

“I assure you the University is treating these allegations seriously and we are seeking advice from authorities.”

Sydney University Vice Chancellor Mark Scott has been criticised by Jewish groups for not acting on concerns raised in May. Picture John Grainger

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies president David Ossip said it was clear that the university was on notice of Hizb ut-Tahrir’s involvement at the encampment in early May.

“The University of Sydney is in absolute crisis,” he said.

“Instead of acting to immediately clear the encampment and protect the safety of the University’s students and staff, the University continued to not only tolerate Hizb ut-Tahrir’s presence on campus, but then to negotiate with and capitulate to groups in concert with it.”

Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said Mr Scott’s engagement with the Jewish community “has been totally disingenuous”.

“Mark Scott’s chief was warned that Hizb ut-Tahrir was on campus and they sat on their hands all while Jewish students were being intimidated and abused”.

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