Jewish students ‘empathise with Gaza plight’, universities rife with anti-Semitism: report

Australian universities were hostile for young Israel supporters but an overwhelming majority of Jews felt concern for the lives of Palestinians in Gaza, new report finds.

More than two-thirds of Jewish students at Australian universities had witnessed hostility from other students following October 7, according to a new report. Picture: Getty Images

Australian universities were hostile for young Israel supporters after the Hamas atrocities but an overwhelming majority of Jews felt some – or a great deal – of concern for the lives of Palestinians in Gaza, according to a new report.

The report found wide anti-Semitism in Australia and deep distress among many Jews after the October 7 atrocities triggered war in Gaza.

But it also showed a wide connection with Israel among Jews living in Australia.

More than two-thirds of Jewish students at Australian universities had witnessed hostility from other students towards Israel in the five weeks after the raids on Israel, according to the study by Adina Banker-Karp, of Monash University, and demographer David Graham.

The findings of the study, conducted during the fifth week of the war, in which 7611 Australian Jewish adults were surveyed, underscores the challenges faced by the local community.

According to the report, half of all students had encountered hostility towards Israel from their close friends on campus and almost half had experienced hostility towards Israel from lecturers and staff.

The report found that on anti-Semitism, nearly two-thirds of respondents felt it was “very much” a big problem in Australia, 10 times higher than in 2017. However, 71 per cent of victims of anti-Jewish behaviour had not reported the abuse to any authority.

More than one in five had been less open about their identity in public, at the same time as anti-Israel protesting was escalating in Australia.

“The high level of concern that Australian Jews expressed about anti-Semitism in Australia during this period was almost certainly unprecedented,’’ the study found.

“The data show that the experience of anti-Semitism in the five-week period following October 7 was broad, whether or not these incidents ended up being recorded in official statistics.

“Many Australian Jews felt the need to hide their Jewish identity in public.’’

Titled Australian Jews in the shadow of war, the study was conducted by the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation at Monash University in conjunction with the charity JCA. The findings showed the war took its toll on the community from the outset.

“The data reveal an extraordinarily high level of distress experienced by people in the Jewish community, whether from being upset, offended or frightened by content they had seen on social media or the news,’’ the report said. “Whether by being concerned or upset at the reactions of some of their own non-Jewish friends or colleagues … All of this was reflected in widespread feelings of anxiety and worry.”

Respondents also lamented the role of social media and the effect it was having on their wellbeing.

But reactions to the various platforms were mixed.

“It is evident that the emotional impact of social media content about the war had been very substantial on Jewish people living in Australia,’’ the study found.

“Three-quarters (74 per cent) of Australian Jews had felt upset on a daily basis. More than half (54 per cent) said they had felt offended by social media content on a daily basis.”

Zionist Federation of Australia CEO Alon Cassuto said the survey showed Australian Jews had a deep connection to Israel, as well as genuine empathy for both Israeli and Palestinian lives.

“Australian Jews are closely following the situation, they know the complexities and terrible dilemmas faced daily by Israeli leaders and defence forces, they are related to people directly impacted by the war, and want the horrific war Hamas started to end,” he said.

“These survey results will bring comfort to many Australian Jews, who will come to realise that their connection to Israel and their Jewish identity is shared by almost the entire community.

“At a time when extremists on the fringes attempt to delegitimise how our community is feeling and our beliefs, it is a reminder that the special bond between Australia and Israel runs deep.”