ANU reverses expulsion of Hamas-sympathiser student in ‘failure of leadership’
The Australian National University student was expelled after saying Hamas deserved “our unconditional support” while protesting Israel’s military action in Gaza.
Representatives of Australia’s Jewish community have slammed the Australian National University (ANU) for “a complete failure of leadership” after the institution reportedly reversed the expulsion of a Hamas-sympathiser student.
ANU expelled Beatrice Tucker in June after she told ABC radio that the Palestinian militant group deserved “unconditional support”.
Hamas, a designated terrorist organisation, killed 1200 in its brutal October 7 attacks on Israel, according to Israeli government figures.
It took hundreds more hostage, including children.
Ms Tucker took to social media this week to announce her expulsion was reversed.
“My expulsion has been overturned babeeeyyyy!” she posted.
“Guess who got to step onto ANU campus today after 4 long fighting months.”
Zionist Federation of Australia president Jeremy Leibler said on Sunday ANU’s reversal was “beyond comprehension”.
“Just last week, Hamas executed six young Israeli hostages in cold blood,” Mr Leibler said, referring to Israeli military reports that hostages were found murdered in a tunnel under the Gazan city of Rafah.
“ANU is setting a loud and clear precedent to other students that they can say and do whatever they want with zero consequences.
“This is a complete failure of leadership at ANU, and the university cannot be taken seriously when they say they uphold their core values of safety and wellbeing.
“The university has many questions to answer; including how they can guarantee the safety of their students with an individual back on campus who is openly supportive of a genocidal terrorist organisation.”
An ANU spokesperson told NewsWire the university “does not comment on specific disciplinary matters,” but that it took alleged violations of its values and codes of conduct seriously.
“ANU also provides procedural fairness and support for all students in these matters,” the spokesperson said.
“All staff and students are free to express themselves and protest in line with the University’s Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech policies.
“With these rights come responsibilities.”
Ms Tucker made her pro-Hamas remarks amid a wave of student encampments at major Australian universities protesting Israel’s military action in Gaza.
United Nations figures say tens of thousands have been killed in Israel’s response to the October 7 attacks as it attempts to annihilate Hamas in the densely populated Palestinian territory.
“I actually say that Hamas deserve our unconditional support,” Ms Tucker said in April.
“Not because I agree with their strategy. But the situation at hand is if you have no hope, if you are sanctioned every day of your life, if you’re told you’re not allowed to drive down a road because somebody who is Israeli gets to have preference and you sit there for 12 hours. (That’s) the reality of life in Palestine.”
NewsWire understand ANU is reviewing its appeals processes.
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