A University of Sydney staff member has been suspended after allegedly harassing Jewish students and staff celebrating Sukkot on campus, calling them “parasites” and issuing threats during the religious event, reports The Jerusalem Post.
According to witnesses and video evidence shared by the Australian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS), the staff member verbally abused participants, shouting phrases such as “A Zionist is the lowest form of rubbish” and “You are a disgusting baby killer.” AUJS described the language as invoking “blood libel imagery”—a classic antisemitic trope—by replacing the word “Jew” with “Zionist” to disguise the hatred.
University authorities acted swiftly. Annamarie Jagose, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, confirmed the staffer had been “immediately suspended” and barred from all professional duties, including teaching.
“Hate speech, antisemitism, and harassment have no place at our university,” Jagose stated. “Where our codes are breached, we will not hesitate to take disciplinary action. We sincerely apologise to any staff, students, or visitors who are distressed by this incident.”
AUJS condemned the harassment as an attack not only on the Jewish students present but on the right of Jews to exist safely on Australian campuses.
“This is yet another example of the deeply concerning rise in antisemitism across Australian universities,” the organisation said. “Jewish students should be able to celebrate their traditions and contribute fully to campus life with confidence and without fear.”
The university confirmed that a formal investigation is underway to determine further disciplinary measures.
Photo credit: SCREENSHOT/VIA SECTION 27A OF THE COPYRIGHT ACT
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