Academic recounts racial abuse over backing for Jewish community at antisemitism inquiry

A prominent academic has testified before the royal

A prominent academic has testified before the royal commission into antisemitism that she faced a torrent of racial abuse after publicly expressing solidarity with Jewish Australians.

Professor Marcia Langton, a respected Indigenous scholar, told the inquiry that her support for the Jewish community triggered a wave of hostile and racist attacks, both online and in person. She described the abuse as deeply distressing and indicative of a broader problem of intolerance in Australian society.

Langton emphasized that the backlash was not merely criticism of her views but involved racial slurs and threats, targeting her identity as an Aboriginal woman. She argued that such attacks reveal the interconnected nature of racism, where prejudice against one group often spills over into hostility toward others.

The academic's testimony comes amid growing concerns abo…

The academic's testimony comes amid growing concerns about rising antisemitism and racial tensions across the country. The royal commission, established to investigate these issues, has heard from numerous witnesses about the pervasiveness of hate speech and discrimination.

Langton called for stronger community leadership and education to combat racism at its roots, stressing that silence from leaders only emboldens extremists. She also urged Australians to recognize the shared struggles of minority communities and to stand united against all forms of hatred.

The commission continues its hearings, with further testimony expected from experts and community representatives on measures to address antisemitism and promote social cohesion.