Jewish and political leaders join in harsh condemnation of ‘religious slurs
QUT’s vice chancellor has issued an apology after the uni was reprimanded by the Federal Education Minister following the anti-racism symposium where “shocking” images were shown.
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The Queensland University of Technology has been condemned by Jewish, state and federal leaders after an “anti-Semitic” image was used in a presentation at an anti-racism event, sparking calls for an investigation.
Education Minister Jason Clare has reprimanded QUT via its Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil after the institution hosted “The GREATEST RACE Debate” at its Gardens Theatre.
At the event, part of the National Symposium Unifying Anti-Racist Research and Action, left-wing group Jewish Council of Australia’s Sarah Schwartz’s slide show presentation featured an image of “Dutton’s Jew” – a mock superhero featuring characteristics like “anti-immigrant”, “hates Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims”, “thinks of anti-Semitism as the only form of racism” and “scared of protesters.”
“Dutton’s Jew has really, really helpfully provided the human shield for him to talk about some of his favourite topics,” Ms Schwartz said on stage.
The leaked slide and footage of the presentation ignited condemnation from Jewish, federal and state leaders.
It has also emerged that another cartoon with the slogan “throat punch a racist today “ was shown on Wednesday by a different speaker at the same presentation.
“As I have made clear, there is no place for the poison of anti-Semitism in our universities or anywhere else,” Mr Clare said.
“Universities have codes of conduct in place, and they should enforce those policies. I have made that clear to the Vice-Chancellor of QUT.”
Former Liberal federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who is of Jewish faith, slammed the presentation.
“Our university leaders have failed us again. This time at QUT,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“Anti-Semitism has become normalised in Australia as Jews are singled out for ridicule and hate in a way we would not accept for any other minority group.”
The Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies Inc president Jason Steinberg said QUT showed “bad judgment”.
“In this climate where anti-Semitism in Australia is through the roof, for QUT to have allowed this conference to go forward, with people who are vehemently attacking Jews, and with their words, it shows bad judgment,” Mr Steinberg said.
Labor MP Josh Burns, who is of Jewish faith, said the forum held by QUT was “inappropriate” at a time when Australia was routinely rocked by reports of anti-Semitic attacks.
A Labor-led committee conducting a parliamentary inquiry on campus anti-Semitism is considering calling on QUT leadership to front up to a public hearing.
Mr Burns, who is the committee’s chair, said: “I can’t comment on committee activity that isn’t public but as the chair I can confirm there is possibility for further public hearings before we hand down our report. The context of the rising anti-Semitism and the recent spate of arson and serious attacks make this forum held by QUT entirely inappropriate.”
Chair of the Australia-Israel Allies Caucus and Deputy Chair of parliament’s powerful intelligence and security committee Andrew Wallace called on Mr Clare to withhold federal funding from QUT until the matter was reviewed.
Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler, in a letter to Mr Clare, also called for a thorough investigation into the “festival of hatred” hosted by QUT.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry said it had warned QUT in advance that the symposium would likely be abused to promote a hateful and extremist agenda that would include “anti-Semitic discourse”.
“QUT’s leadership have much to answer for,” a ECAJ statement said.
On Friday Ms Schwartz defended her presentation as a “comedy event” held to “make fun of racists”.
She said the image was used to show how “harmful that stereotype is and how harmful it is to Jewish people”.
When asked why she specifically chose Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in her presentation, Ms Schwartz said he “depicts the Jewish community in a way which is racist and ignorant”.
“He promotes a monolithic view of the Jewish Community. I do think that Peter Dutton’s depiction of Jewish people as all holding particular characteristics promotes a stereotype of Jewish people which is really harmful,” she said.
Mr Dutton is yet to respond.
Prof Sheil said after seeing Ms Schwartz’s slide, she understood why it had caused significant offence.
“I am sorry for the hurt caused to anyone within, and outside, the QUT community,” she said. “I will undertake to review the circumstances of this presentation and take any action necessary.
“As for the appropriateness of speakers on the main program, it is important that universities continue to engage in rigorous discussion and debate about the issues so important to our time.
“It is equally important that this is done in a way that is respectful and safe.”
Premier David Crisafulli slammed the presentation as “divisive rubbish”.
Jewish University of Queensland academic Associate Professor Yoni Nazarathy was left in tears on Friday after he claims other delegates shouted “shame’’ over his leaking of details at the event.
“I reckon what I might do is not provide oxygen to people who are trying to wind the clock back a century in anti-Semitism,” he said.
“There’s no place for that in Australia – and I want Queenslanders to know that does not reflect who we are.”
Opposition Leader Steven Miles said the tone of the QUT event was “greatly concerning” and said Ms Schwartz had deliberately used language that would “get her into the news”.
“I’ve only seen the reports, but the tone and tenor of that language that I’ve seen concerns me greatly,” Mr Miles said.
University of Queensland research scientist David Kainer said: “It’s quite embarrassing. I’m embarrassed for Australian academia, incredibly embarrassed.”
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