Melbourne – A motion passed by the University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU) against Israel on Friday has been described as “blatantly antisemitic”.
The motion, titled “UMSU stands with Palestine – BDS and Solidarity Policy”, accuses Israel of “massacres, forced expulsion and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians”, calls Zionism “a racist, colonial ideology” and supports the right of Palestinians “to engage in armed struggle against their occupiers”.
It goes on to claim to condemn “all forms of antisemitism against students of the Jewish faith”.
Put forward by the People of Colour Committee, the motion passed 10-6. Students representing the ALP left and Right factions all voted against it.
Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) president Natalie Gunn said the motion “egregiously misrepresents Jewish students’ beliefs, falsifies history, misconstrues Zionism and incites hate”. University
“It is blatantly antisemitic,” she said.
“The motion controversially states: ‘Judaism or Zionism are not to be conflated’. It’s bad enough that the movers of the motion try to airbrush 3500 years of Jewish history in Israel out of the picture.
“But for these people to purport to speak for the Jewish people or Jewish students or what constitutes Judaism is outrageous in its ignorance, condescension and dishonesty.”
University of Melbourne Jewish Students Society (MUJSS) president Drew Feiglin said, “The movers of the motion did not reach out to MUJSS nor did they consult us about the views and beliefs of the large Jewish student population at the University of Melbourne.
“Similarly, the throwaway line about standing in solidarity with Jewish students is insultingly hypocritical and tokenistic, given there was no attempt to hear the experiences and opinions of Jewish students.”
He continued, “AUJS commends those who acknowledged the blatant antisemitism of this motion and voted against it.
“We look forward to working closely with these councillors to ensure the UMSU upholds its values and ensures the council is reflective of all minority and diverse students. Melbourne University should be a place for nuance and dialogue, not hate speech.”
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Peter Wertheim said, “The fact that the Students Union at the University of Melbourne is captive to the predilections of a small coterie of far-Left ideologues reflects very poorly on students and the university.
“Resolutions of this nature illustrate why there is an urgent need for Universities to adopt and apply the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance Working Definition of Antisemitism.”
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The motion: In the late 1800s, Political Zionism was born to establish a Jewish home in Historic Palestine, disregarding the Indigenous Palestinians living there. This colonial project has led to the establishment of the state of Israel, the blockade of Gaza and the occupa#on of the West Bank through massacres, forced expulsion and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. Israel has been deemed as a se8ler colonial apartheid state. It continuously denies the native Palestinians of their right to self-determination, freedom, dignity and equality. Inspired by the South African anti-apartheid movement, the BDS call urges ac#on to pressure Israel to comply with interna#onal law. With the recent bombing of Gaza, Israel has carried out a police raid at the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Israeli forces have detained 500+ and injured 170+ Palestinians in Jerusalem since the beginning of Ramadan. These Palestinians were simply congrega#ng and praying at the mosque, which is one of the few remaining public spaces for Pales#nians in Jerusalem. Students in Palestine and around the world have been key par#cipants in the fight against the illegal occupation of Palestine, protesting, organizing, and creating a discussion on respective campuses. Many student unions and associations across Europe, North America, and Australia have formally endorsed BDS or some version of solidarity, it’s long overdue for a clear and firm stance by UMSU on these crimes. Policy, UMSU stances and actions: General Stance: UMSU stands against the Israeli occupation of Palestine and condemns the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestinians UMSU supports the self-determina#on of the Palestine people and their right to engage in self-defence against their occupiers UMSU deems Zionism as a racist, colonial ideologyUMSU rejects Israel’s continued settlement, expansion, and annexation of Palestinian land UMSU condemns the Australian government’s support for Israel and its ongoing crimes including occupation, settlement, expansion, and ethnic cleansing. UMSU condemns any and all forms of antisemitism against students of the Jewish faith and stands in solidarity with Jewish students. UMSU recognises that Israel’s actions are not representative of the Jewish community. Similarly, Israel’s crimes are its responsibility alone and not that of Jewish people worldwide. UMSU strongly endorses that Judaism and Zionism are not to be conflated as one Academic Boycott: UMSU supports the academic boycott movement of Israeli institutions UMSU calls on the university to participate in an academic boycott and cut ties with Israeli institutions, researchers, and academics that support the Israeli oppression of Palestinians Divestment Actions and support: UMSU calls on the university to divest from corporations complicit in and profit from the Israel apartheid Direct the CEO to update the UMSU ethical register and boyco8 companies that support and profit from the Israeli apartheid in line with the BDS Australia organization guidelines. UMSU publishes a statement prepared by the UMSU POC department and relevant student groups announcing this policy and its support for Pales#nian rights. To direct the General Secretary to update the UMSU stance booklet to reflect this policy and subsequent vote on it. To direct the President and POC officer to send a letter of support to the Australian Centre for International Justice affirming UMSU’s support for Pales#ne on behalf of UMSU. |
