University of Technology Sydney failed Jewish students over protest

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 18:02 · Archive

The National Student Ombudsman found UTS failed to follow complaints procedures after a pro-Palestine protest.

The National Student Ombudsman has concluded that the University of Technology Sydney "failed to follow its complaints policy and procedure and did not respond productively to student feedback" after a National Day of Action for Palestine rally. The protest prompted complaints from some Jewish students who said attendees had singled them out on the basis of their identity. At the rally, a guest speaker said "Jews ... should feel uncomfortable, ... and that includes that fellow over there" when addressing a counter-protester.

UTS commissioned an external review following the protest to respond to the risk of harm, but the ombudsman found the university's handling of the review and complaints was wrong. "Some Jewish students did not receive a response at all to their complaints about the behaviour at the protest," the report said. "Those who did receive a response received generic responses that did not address their specific concerns."

The external review was expanded to also examine an April 2025 event organised by the Australasian Union of Jewish Students to discuss the effects of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. An unauthorised student protest was held during this approved event. The ombudsman found the external review "wrongly made a recommendation naming AUJS as not following the university's event organisation processes", concluding this recommendation "was shaped by bias and incorrect information".

How it is being reported

• Uni 'let Jewish students down' after pro-Palestine demoA university failed in its handling of complaints from Jewish students over comments made during a pro-Palestine demo, the National Student Ombudsman says.The West Australian · 19 Oct, 17:35
• Uni 'let Jewish students down' after pro-Palestine demoA university failed in its handling of complaints from Jewish students over comments made during a pro-Palestine demo, the National Student Ombudsman says.Perth Now · 19 Oct, 17:35

In this story: University of Technology Sydney · National Student Ombudsman · Jason Clare · Australasian Union of Jewish Students · Australia

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