Mark Leibler’s lament at University of Melbourne chancellor Jane Hansen’s response to anti-Semitism

University of Melbourne council member Mark Leibler says chancellor Jane Hansen’s refusal to acknowledge the problem is ‘unacceptable’, encouraging his colleagues to speak out about the crisis sweeping campuses.

University of Melbourne council member Mark Leibler, left, has slammed chancellor Jane Hansen's handling of the anti-Semitism crisis.

University of Melbourne council member Mark Leibler has condemned his own chancellor’s handling of the anti-Semitism crisis sweeping the nation’s campuses, saying her refusal to ­acknowledge the problem is ­“unacceptable”.

Mr Leibler, one of the nation’s most senior lawyers and an influential figure in the Jewish community, encouraged his colleagues at Melbourne University to speak out against Jane Hansen after she accused critics of university leaders’ handling of the Israel-Hamas war for seeking “division”.

As universities finally began to take a firmer stance against activists who have disrupted classes, camped out on univer­sity grounds, and allegedly ­abused Jewish students, Ms Hansen on Sunday said “all forms of ­racism” deserved attention and only pointed to a much-criticised chancellors’ council statement when asked about anti-Semitism.

Writing in The Australian on Tuesday, Mr Leibler said he could not understand how Ms Hansen could refuse to concede there was a specific anti-Semitism crisis after Anthony Albanese and her fellow chancellors had called it out in recent days.

“I ask myself how is it possible that, even after our Prime Minister has acknowledged there is a specific anti-Semitism crisis on campuses in this country, the chancellor of the university where I serve refuses to admit it, as others have,” he writes.

“From my experience, senior leaders at Melbourne University, who have been dealing with Jewish students at the coalface, have been both sensitive and empathetic, which makes chancellor Jane Hansen’s refusal to publicly recognise that there is an anti-Semitism crisis taking place on our campus all the more surprising and disheartening.

“Again, from my own direct experience speaking with students and staff, there is not a shadow of a doubt that we have a serious problem.”

Ms Hansen on Monday ­denied she did not acknowledge anti-Semitism on campus but reiterated that she was concerned with all “racist behaviour”.

“I wholeheartedly reject any suggestion that I refuse to ­acknowledge the very concerning incidence of anti-Semitism on campus,” she said. “Wherever the university is made aware of it through established processes it is handled with the care and sensitivity that it deserves.

“I reiterate, the university is working to address these concerns, along with any others raised by student and staff members who are not Jewish, as racist behaviour is not directed toward only one ethnicity.”

Mr Leibler urged other members of the university council to speak out against her earlier comments. “For Ms Hansen to suggest in her comments to The Australian that criticising or even questioning fellow chancellors on their handling of anti-Semitism amounts to ‘looking for division’ is completely ­unacceptable,” he writes. “I have communicated this to Ms Hansen personally and believe that it is incumbent upon me as a member of the council to also say so publicly in the interests of the university, its reputation and high standing internationally. I urge others to do the same.”

Mr Leibler also levelled criticism at the management of other universities, saying they should speak out and enforce existing policies instead of trying to “shift responsibility to the Attorney-General” by requesting clarification on the legality of anti-Israel chants.

When contacted for comment, the University of Melbourne did not respond specifically to Mr Leibler’s criticism. “The university welcomes debate and peaceful protest on campus, provided it does not extend to violence, threat or intimidation,” a spokeswoman said. “The University of Melbourne deplores and actively stands against all forms of racism, including anti-Semitism and ­Islamophobia.”

The Australian National University appeared to be taking a tougher approach with student protesters. Late last week – as the university said disciplinary action had been taken following allegations of Nazi-inspired gestures at a student association meeting – administrators sent an email to encampment activists warning they would intervene unless protesters changed their behaviour.

“I am informally letting you know that I have received multiple reports and complaints that the encampment in which you are participating and your behaviours are potentially in breach of the student code of conduct,” deputy vice-chancellor Grady Venville wrote. “The encampment is dividing our community and causing members of our community harm.

“I urge you to reflect on your behaviours and consider how you can respectfully protest without causing harm to other members of our community and to our campus.” In a separate email to all staff and students, vice-chancellor Genevieve Bell said where “where debate has shifted to ­causing hate and hurt, we are stepping in”.

Monash University said it had taken “formal action to exclude individuals, not affiliated with Monash, from university precincts to ensure safety and wellbeing of individuals”.

It came as protesters – including pro-Palestine activist Mohammad Sharab who is not a student of the university and is currently on bail over charges of alleged kidnapping and assault – spruiked a counter-protest for a Jewish community event that was scheduled to be held on campus on Monday evening.

“There will be a highly visible security and police presence on campus to ensure public safety, with Monash security working closely with Victoria Police and the event organisers,” a university spokesman said.

On Monday, two teal independent MPs – Allegra Spender and Zoe Daniel – said they had written to Education Minister Jason Clare calling for “urgent action” to address anti-Semitism on university campuses.

In another incident, a protester gatecrashed a nutrition science lecture at Deakin University to claim the university is developing weapons for Israel.

“Our university is helping to develop weapons that go to ­Israel,’’ she said. “Those weapons are part of carrying out the genocide that’s taking place right now in Gaza. We’re protesting for our university to cut all ties with weapons manufacturers.’’

A Jewish student who attended the lecture and filmed the speaker said: “She decided to just walk in’’ she said. “She just stood up the front and shouted at us.”

A Deakin University spokesman said the incident was under investigation.