A professor at the University of Sydney has stirred controversy by dismissing reports of alleged atrocities committed by Hamas and said the media was “suppressing” Palestine coverage.
Centre for Youth Policy Director Freya Leach has called out University of Sydney’s Vice-Chancellor Mark Scott over “rewarding” pro-Palestine protestors.
It comes as the university has promised pro-Palestinian activists it will review ties with defence and security businesses involved in the Middle East conflict in a bid to end demonstrations on campus.
“No one can possibly comprehend how he’s now rewarding them after five weeks of disruption, five weeks of intimidation on campus,” Ms Leach told Sky News host Chris Kenny.
“He’s rewarding these people by saying yeah sure come be representatives and review all of our ties to Israel.
“It’s ridiculous.”
Sociology professor Sujatha Fernandes made claims the rape reports were a “hoax” and went on to tell first year students Israel had engaged in “ethnic cleansing” while media “suppressed” coverage of Palestine.
In a lecture recording obtained by The Australian, Dr Sujatha said: “Western media has played the role of an ideological state apparatus by suppressing coverage of the atrocities.”
“…Peddling fake news (promoted hoaxes that Hamas beheaded babies and carried out mass rape, in order to shore up support for Israel), and distorting events,” Professor Fernandes said.
Sujatha Fernandes is a Professor in the Departments of Political Economy and Sociology & Social Policy at the University of Sydney. Photo: Supplied
Sydney University students were told Hamas rape of Israeli women on October 7 was a “hoax”. Picture: Renee/Nowytarger.
The professor referenced a New York Times article titled “How Hamas Weaponized Sexual Violence on Oct.7” and said: “This story, you know, it was not a real story”.
“Western governments have largely supported the Israeli government – sending arms to Israel, cutting funds to Palestinian aid organisations, and repressing dissent at home,” she told the class.
Dr Fernandes’ bio has stated her work is concerned with “the stories of those erased by history” and is the founder of the Racial Justice project at Sydney University.
A slide from the lecture given by Dr Sujatha Fernandes. Picture: The Australian
Liberal political Julian Leeser told Sky News Australia on Wednesday he was concerned students were being indoctrinated at Australian universities by “activists masquerading as professors”.
“I’m disgusted that this is happening at a university in Australia. I’m disgusted because of the way it degrades and doesn’t give respect to the women who went through that terrible ordeal.”
The United Nations reported in March there was evidence to suggest Hamas militants had committed sexual violence including rape and gang rape at several locations on October 7.
“Credible circumstantial information, which may be indicative of some forms of sexual violence, including genital mutilation, sexualized torture, or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, was also gathered,” the UN report said.
Despite the damning UN report, social media trends have often attempted to deny the atrocities even amid shocking hostage videos and images which are still being released.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard recently told Sky News Australia she has blamed social media “misinformation” for young people developing “unbalanced” views about the conflict.
“To see what those women went through, I think, horrified the world as it rightly should,” Ms Gillard said.
“I do think that it took longer than it should have for people to come out and to decry this sexual violence, which was obviously so grievous.”
Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin has called for an investigation into the professor’s “malice and contempt for rape victims”.
Pro-Palestinian rally and tent city at Sydney University on May 3. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift
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Mr Ryvchin has also repeatedly criticised the University of Sydney for its tolerance of pro-Palestine campus protesters and declared the university “an international laughing stock”.
Vice-chancellor Mark Scott invited protesters to review the university’s defence research ties on Tuesday in a bid to end demonstrations on campus.
Encampment protesters have been presented with a three-point plan, which includes divestment in exchange for bringing down tents stationed on campus.
Students for Palestine revealed on social media they have refused the offer, calling for the severing of all ties with Israel.
They further vowed to “continue to heap pressure”, proclaiming, “long live the student intifada”.