The university’s vice president failed to explain the institution’s lack of action towards staff.
The vice president of Macquarie University in Sydney was unable to explain why he failed to discipline an academic staff member who posted anti-Semitic comments on social media.
In his recent testimony before a Congressional Committee, S. Vice President Bruce Dowton questioned what measures the university took to address anti-Semitism on campus.
Labour MP Josh Burns, chairman of the committee, raised concerns in March 2024 about the incident involving author Randa Abdel Fatta, a Macquarie University scholar, who said, “Cultural Zionists are all about. “There is no right to safety.”
Zionists are Jews who view Israel as a Jewish home and a central part of their identity.
Abdel Fatta’s comments came ahead of an event at the Sydney Opera House featuring hundreds of Jewish artists.
Abdel Fatta also leaked details of the Jewish artist on social media.
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Australian-born Abdel Fatta is known for his long-term criticism of Israel and for his advocacy against Palestinians.
In December 2024, she made a series of comments on social media calling for an end to Israel.
Questioned about disciplinary action
Burns pushed Dowton to see if the university had taken disciplinary action against Abdel Fatta.
The vice president did not give a direct answer, but said the university had addressed the concerns to staff.
“If a staff member makes a statement raising concerns, what we do and did is to address concerns with staff members at the local level, and to restrain ourselves, in the first instance where the conversation occurs. and to follow the university’s policy framework,” he said.
“At the same time, we have the rights and privileges of academic staff regarding freedom of speech and academic freedom.”
Burns then asked if Macquarie staff had been removed due to anti-Semitism, and Dowton replied “No.”
The vice-president also said the hearing was not a suitable place to address the issue and the university has the right to maintain business with secret staff under current law.
Burns was not satisfied with the answer, noting that Macquarie’s inaction contradicted his claim that he would not tolerate anti-Semitism.
“You said the university wants to create a safe space for students. You hate racism, and you (and) you are an absolute must to ensure that students are safe at university. He said he was helping out with the company.
“Even so, there are staff members who comment that ‘May 2025 will be the end of Israel.’ ”
Dowton raised the question that his university is subject to policy frameworks and contractual obligations with staff under employment contracts.
“This is the dilemma and challenge that my university and every university in Australia found themselves. It is essentially a crossroads of social norms and social values, and what the lack of law and what the law requires. and contractual arrangements that will stop employment,” he said.
In the new development, Macquarie University confirmed that Jewish students have established “safe rooms” to address safety concerns.
In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Dowton revealed that secure rooms are highly secure and require a swipe card to access them.
