The University of Sydney has terminated the employment of a lecturer, Rose Nakad, following an investigation into a verbal outburst at Jewish students celebrating the festival of Sukkot in October. The incident, which was captured on video and circulated online, sparked widespread outrage and led to her immediate suspension pending a formal process.
According to Sarah Aamidor, a Jewish academic present at the scene, Nakad shouted “Free Palestine” at the Sukkot stall. When Aamidor responded that the comment was antisemitic, Nakad allegedly said: “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 accused the students of supporting the shredding of children and called them “disgusting” and “depraved”.
In a statement issued on 15 December, the university described Nakad’s conduct as “deeply distressing and utterly unacceptable”. It said: “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 added that it had apologised to affected students and staff, and that “hate speech, antisemitism and harassment have no place at our University”. The sacking comes amid heightened concerns over a rise in antisemitic incidents in Australia, particularly following the Bondi Beach mass shooting in which 15 people were killed. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has since announced plans to tighten hate speech laws and introduce new visa powers to combat hate and division.
