An anti-Jewish 7 October event at Monash University, designed to further traumatise Jewish students and staff, must not proceed in any shape or form, according to Shadow Minister for Education, Sarah Henderson.
As revealed by the Australian Jewish Association, the Monash University Islamic Society is selling tickets to a 7 October ‘fundraising dinner’ at the Clayton campus, shockingly scheduled to coincide with the anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack.
“It is vile and sickening that such an event could be held at a time when the Jewish community will be commemorating the greatest loss of life since the Holocaust,” Senator Henderson said.
“The 7 October anniversary of the Hamas massacre of around 1,200 innocent Israelis, along with the capture of 250 hostages many of whom have subsequently been murdered, is a day of grief and mourning for Jewish Australians and for our country.
“No Australian university should permit any protest, event or gathering on 7 October which inflicts further distress and suffering on Jewish students, staff and the broader university community.
“Everyone has a right to be safe at an Australian university – on 7 October and every day.
“I am concerned to learn this abhorrent event at Monash has been promoted on social media for more than a week, after organisers managed to book the university’s banquet hall and dining room.
“This morning, after raising my concerns with Monash’s Vice-Chancellor, Sharon Pickering, she advised the university will not allow this event to proceed.
“However, it not yet clear if the student associations involved will comply with this direction.
“I am seeking urgent answers from Education Minister Jason Clare as to any steps the Albanese government is taking to shut down anti-Jewish events on campus at this most distressing time,” Senator Henderson concluded.