University of Sydney argues academic’s article not racist against Jewish people as ‘Zionism is a political concept’

<p>Case taken by academics against two colleagues and the university is considered a major test case for hate speech in Australia</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/oct/13/australia-news-live-qantas-hack-data-leak-scam-warning-nsw-sydney-potholes-social-media-ban-anika-wells-albanese-sussan-ley-labor-liberal-coalition-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>The University of Sydney has argued that an article written by a staff member that criticises Zionism was not racist against Jewish people because “Zionism is, at its core, a political concept”.</p><p>The argument was heard in the federal court on Monday as part of a racial discrimination case taken by academics against two of their colleagues and the university, in what is being considered a major test case for hate speech in Australia.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/oct/13/zionism-political-concept-says-university-sydney-after-academic-article-ntwnfb">Continue reading...</a>