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Outrage erupts over antisemitic display at QUT’s anti-racism symposium

“The caricature demonises Jewish Australians who support the Coalition. It’s offensive and unacceptable.”

The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is facing mounting backlash after an image deemed antisemitic was presented at its recent National Symposium on Unifying Anti-Racist Research and Action.

Intended as a platform to tackle systemic racism, the symposium instead sparked accusations of enabling hate speech under the guise of anti-racism.

The controversy centres on a slide titled “Dutton’s Jew,” presented by Sarah Schwartz, a representative of the anti-Zionist Jewish Council of Australia.

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The image, which allegedly caricatured a Jewish figure alongside a list of stereotypes, referenced Opposition Leader Peter Dutton. It was widely condemned by Jewish leaders, sparking national outrage and reigniting debates on antisemitism in Australian universities.

Daniel Aghion KC, President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), labelled the image a disgraceful trope. “It is ironic that such blatant racism was showcased at an anti-racism symposium,” he said.

“The caricature demonises Jewish Australians who support the Coalition. It’s offensive and unacceptable.”

Jason Steinberg, President of the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies (QJBD), echoed these sentiments, revealing his organisation had warned QUT about the risk of antisemitic content ahead of the event. “We wrote to the university asking for assurances that the symposium would not promote hate speech,” Steinberg said.

“To see this unfold—it’s upside down. A conference supposedly dedicated to anti-racism instead vilified Jewish people. It’s disgraceful.”

Critics argue that the event’s speaker lineup reflected an anti-Israel bias, with Steinberg describing many as “anti-Israel extremists.”

Image: Keynote Speakers and Presenters at the National Symposium on Unifying Anti-Racist Research and Action (Source: QUT)

Sarah Schwartz defended her presentation, stating it was satirical and targeted Peter Dutton’s political exploitation of the Jewish community. However, her justification failed to placate Jewish leaders who saw the caricature as crossing the line into hate speech.

The backlash extended beyond Jewish organisations, with Liberal MP Andrew Wallace calling for decisive action. “Public universities should be spaces for learning and inquiry, not platforms for antisemitism,” he said. Wallace urged the Federal Education Minister to withhold funding from QUT until the university takes firm steps to address antisemitism.

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The incident has highlighted the growing hostility Jewish students and faculty face on Australian campuses. A submission by the Australian Union of Jewish Students to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Antisemitism in Universities described an alarming rise in incidents of hate and exclusion.

Image: QUT’s Vice-Chancellor, Margaret Sheil (Source: QUT)

QUT’s Vice-Chancellor, Margaret Sheil, defended the symposium, stating it aimed to foster diverse perspectives. However, Jewish leaders dismissed this response, accusing the university of prioritising free speech over combating hate speech. “Freedom of expression cannot excuse racism,” Steinberg said.

“QUT leadership has failed to uphold this principle.”

The incident has now reached the federal level, with ECAJ forwarding details to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights. Aghion stated,

“We expect QUT leadership to explain their actions before the inquiry. Universities must not be allowed to become propaganda factories instead of spaces for learning.”

The episode has sparked wider conversations about antisemitism in Australia. Liberal MP Julian Leeser called for a judicial inquiry into antisemitism on campus, while Zionist Federation of Australia President Jeremy Leibler warned that unchecked rhetoric is “recklessly dangerous,” especially following recent domestic terror attacks targeting Jewish Australians.

Image: University of Queensland Associate Professor Yoni Nazarathy became emotional when speaking about his ‘public humiliation’ (Picture: screenshot from The Australian)

The fallout also included reports of targeted humiliation. University of Queensland Associate Professor Yoni Nazarathy described being publicly shamed by attendees at the symposium after the controversial slide leaked. “It was a coordinated attack,” Nazarathy said. Fighting back tears, he added,

“As a Jewish Australian, I don’t feel safe. This is not what Australia needs right now.”

As the uproar continues, many are demanding stronger national leadership to combat antisemitism. QUT has apologised for the offence caused but is yet to announce concrete measures to address the situation.

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