The Australian Academic Alliance Against Antisemitism (5A) comprises a network of 250 academics, working across 26 Australian universities and medical centres, coming from diverse disciplinary backgrounds, cultural identities, and religious affiliations. Our shared goal is to counteract antisemitism in the tertiary sector and medical and research affiliates through education and advocacy.

Antisemitism is growing worldwide at an alarming rate, including on university campuses. Our foremost aim is to ensure that Australian universities uphold inclusivity and intercultural sensitivity and are free from antisemitism.

This antisemitism manifests itself in racial and religious prejudice, exclusion, and discrimination. Additionally, it is evident in attempts to deny Jews their right to self-determination, including calls for the annihilation of Israel or boycotts against its academia and industries.

To this end, we champion academic freedom and honest enquiry. However, we must distinguish between free speech and hate speech as defined in the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.  It is unlawful to do an act reasonably likely to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or group if the act is done because of the race, colour, or national or ethnic origin of the person or group. We reject any notion that universities and academia are free from responsibility for the harm caused by teaching, communications, or statements based on lies or fabrications.

Finally, we share with our academic colleagues in higher education in Israel and worldwide the belief that, by actively pursuing knowledge for the benefit of humanity, we champion truth, humanity, and human decency and act as role models for the leadership of tomorrow.