Finally, a Uni leader with the guts to call out campus anti-Semitism

I applaud Western Sydney University chancellor Jennifer Westacott’s fearless stand against anti- Semitism based upon her university’s Charter of Academic Freedom, which she claims “requires that freedoms and rights be exercised responsibly with zero tolerance for anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, racism, hate speech or intimidation” (“ ‘Universities should never be places of fear’: a leader stands tall against anti-Semitism”, 11-12/5). As she writes, her inspiration is drawn from standing in the deafening silence of Yad Vashem, Jerusalem’s sacred memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. To her surprise, she discovered that the Nazi regime’s most highly educated were among those who had willingly participated in the largest systematic state-sponsored killing of an ethnic minority in human history.

So may Professor Westacott break through the deafening silence within the halls of our own academic institutions that still refuse to fearlessly acknowledge there is no place in a post-Holocaust world for anti-Semitism.

Vincent Zankin, Rivett, ACT

Thank you to Jennifer Westacott, who seems to be the only chancellor of our universities who has the backbone to speak out against the hate speech that is overtaking our country. Perhaps the other academics and media might also be inspired if they had some leadership from our government.

How disappointing that the Albanese government is contributing to the disruption of our once valued multicultural society.

Valerie Donovan, Corinda, Qld

What a brilliant photo on the front page of The Weekend Australian.

Western Sydney University chancellor Jennifer Westacott is a woman of determination and courage, attributes most of our politicians seem to be lacking these days.

Ross McDonald, Gordon, NSW

We have seen the defacement of Columbia University in the US by the geographically challenged (which river, which sea?) and anti-Semitic protesters. Yet it seems university leadership could not stand up and strongly defend our tertiary education sites. Only Jennifer Westacott had the courage, intelligence and personal experience to call out campus protests as anti-Semitic not anti- Zionist. Professor Westacott recognises that fear, destruction of property, and targeting individuals on campus does not help improve the Middle East situation; it just illustrates how quickly institutions can be broken and reduced to intellectual rubbish when history is ignored.

Corinne Haber, Caulfield, Vic