The Australian National University (ANU) has formally apologized to its Jewish staff and students, acknowledging a failure to safeguard their psychological well-being during recent pro-Palestinian encampments on campus. The interim Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rebekah Brown, delivered the apology under cross-examination during a significant national inquiry into antisemitism and social cohesion.

Addressing the inquiry, Professor Brown stated, "All Jewish students and staff and their colleagues and friends… have an an absolute right to feel safe, respected and heard on our campus." She added, "I'm sorry that they didn't and I've committed in my role, as long as I am the interim vice-chancellor, to do better." Professor Brown, who served as Provost during the encampment period from April to August 2024, emphasized the university's commitment to improvement.

Distress and Policy Changes at ANU

The national inquiry has heard compelling evidence detailing the distress experienced by Jewish students and staff due to anti-Israel and anti-Zionist chants associated with the 110-day encampment, which was among the longest at any Australian university. One student, identified as Liat, recounted being subjected to slurs such as "baby killer" and "genocide supporter."

Counsel for the Australasian Union of Jewish Students, Gabi Crafti SC, highlighted a July 2024 university-commissioned risk assessment that identified a "high risk of psychosocial harm" stemming from the protest activities. In response, Professor Brown noted that ANU has since implemented new policies aimed at mitigating psychosocial risks and combating antisemitism, though she conceded that "not everyone has been subject to our training as yet… there is still more work to be done, but it has started."

Further testimony at the inquiry shed light on other contentious incidents. The acting Provost, Professor Joan Leach, was questioned about a case where a student, grieving the loss of relatives in Gaza, was allegedly asked to provide death certificates to secure an exam extension. Professor Leach, expressing unawareness of the specific incident, agreed that such a request would be "inappropriate and lacked empathy."

Professor Leach also addressed claims of offensive gestures made during a 2024 student association online meeting. She clarified that one student accused of making a "Nazi moustache" gesture was actually covering a cleft palate scar, a habitual action, and no misconduct was found. Regarding an alleged "Nazi salute," the university's investigation concluded it was "virtually impossible to tell if it was a Nazi salute" and was inconsistent with the student's identity, resulting in no misconduct finding.

ANU has since updated its code of conduct and introduced mandatory training for staff, including a 'Rights and Respect at Work' module defining antisemitism within a broader anti-racism framework. Students in residences are also undertaking mandatory 'bystander training,' which covers microaggressions.

Monash University's Approach to Campus Cohesion

The inquiry also heard from Monash University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sharon Pickering, who outlined her institution's efforts to manage tensions during a similar encampment at its Clayton campus in April and May 2024. Professor Pickering described a critical "turning point" on May 4, when organizers posted on social media that "Zionists were not welcome on campus."

Monash University successfully petitioned Meta, the parent company of Instagram, to remove the contentious post. Professor Pickering subsequently issued a statement to students affirming that the institution would "not tolerate thinly disguised antisemitism" and committed to investigating any use of chants involving terms like "intifada" or "from the river to the sea Palestine will be free." She acknowledged that Jewish students and staff at Monash reported abuse and avoided campus, while Muslim and Palestinian students were also "carrying enormous trauma and pain."

Beyond policy reforms and improved complaints processes, Professor Pickering emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of "disagreeing well" as fundamental to academic freedom and the contest of ideas at a university. She also voiced concern for former student Paris Enten, who testified about declining mental health due to antisemitic experiences.