Jews in fear of hardline uni groups

RADICAL left-wing groups at Melbourne universities are exploiting tensions in the Middle East to promote anti-Semitism and recruit members, according to Jewish student groups.

"There's a real feeling of threat," said Deon Kamien, Victorian president of the Australasian Union of Jewish Students.

He said Jewish students for the first time felt targeted as Jews, rather than supporters of Israel. "When they walk past socialist stalls (on campus) they feel very uncomfortable, especially when called 'a f---ing Jew'," Mr Kamien said.

He said Students Against War and Racism gave out leaflets at Monash University recently that said Zionists were murderers and racists and "will not be tolerated on this campus".

The number of anti-Semitic incidents during the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in July were the highest since records began in 1945, according to Grahame Leonard, president of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry.

"At 141, it was 60 per cent higher than the previous record. Many of these incidents were on campus, and the big growth was in Victoria," Mr Leonard said.

"It's just blind ideology with these (hard-line left) groups … It's not about Muslims, it's about thugs and radicals using Islam as an excuse to pursue their political agenda."

There have been several incidents on Melbourne campuses, particularly between the Socialist Alternative Group and university Liberal Party groups.

In one, a Liberal was grabbed by the throat and threatened. In another, security staff had to separate Students Against War and Racism and Liberal Club members waving Israeli flags.

In Sydney, Jewish students have been spat on and pushed.

Official religious groups on campus say Middle Eastern tensions have not been apparent in Australia. The national heads of Muslim, Jewish, Catholic and Baha'i student groups released a joint statement when conflict broke out in Lebanon.

Monash University Islamic Society president Adhnan Wazil said Jewish students had been quiet and there had been no problems for Muslims.

Mr Kamien said Jewish students had had no problems with Muslim students in general.

Students Against War and Racism organiser Vashti Kenway, a member of the Socialist Alternative, acknowledged Middle Eastern tensions were being used as a recruitment tool, but denied they were anti-Semitic. "We take a firm stand against all forms of racism," she said.

Melbourne University Student Union president Jessie Giles said anti-war activists walked a fine line between attacking Israel's actions as a state, which was legitimate, and making students feel awkward over religion, which was not.