The University of Sydney has terminated the employment of a lecturer who was filmed hurling abusive remarks at Jewish students celebrating the festival of Sukkot in October. The staff member, identified as Rose Nakad, was suspended pending an investigation after the video of the incident circulated online, sparking widespread outrage.
Jewish academic Sarah Aamidor, who witnessed the exchange, told The Australian that Nakad shouted “Free Palestine” at the Sukkot stall. When Aamidor responded that the comment was antisemitic given the context of a Jewish holiday, Nakad allegedly retorted: “If you tell me you are an anti-Zionist Jew, I have no problem with you. A Zionist, whether they are Jewish, whether they are Christian, whether they are Muslim … is the lowest form of rubbish.” Nakad also reportedly said, “They’re shredding children … you should be making it stop,” and called the students “disgusting” and “depraved”.
In a statement on 15 December, the university said Nakad’s conduct was “deeply distressing and utterly unacceptable”. It added: “We immediately suspended the staff member pending a formal process, and have now terminated their employment on the grounds of serious misconduct. This decision followed careful consideration in line with our clear expectations of behaviour and our obligation to make sure our campuses are safe and welcoming for all.” The university reiterated that “hate speech, antisemitism and harassment have no place at our University”.
The incident comes amid heightened concerns over a rise in antisemitic acts in Australia, particularly following the Bondi Beach mass shooting. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced plans to tighten hate speech laws and introduce new visa powers to target those spreading hate.
