A tutor at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) told Australia’s Antisemitism Royal Commission that four international students allegedly performed Nazi salutes towards him during a 2024 business class. The tutor, an active PhD candidate whose grandparents survived the Holocaust, stated that the coordinated physical gestures were directed straight at him while he was teaching.
He immediately reported the incident to departmental supervisors and requested the students be permanently removed from his tutorial room. However, university staff initially declined the request due to strict institutional timetabling constraints and issued only a formal written warning.
The academic then escalated the matter by filing an official report with the NSW Police Force, pointing out that public Nazi salutes constitute a criminal offense under state legislation. Following the external law enforcement investigation, the university suspended the four students and ordered them to complete educational remediation at the Sydney Jewish Museum.
What the Tutor Told Australia’s Antisemitism Royal Commission
The tutor, identified only as ACJ under a legal pseudonym, said the incident occurred while he was teaching an undergraduate business class for international students at UNSW College.
He told the commission the lesson had no connection to Nazism or European politics before four students allegedly stood up at the same time and performed Nazi salutes directly toward him.
“My grandparents had survived the Holocaust, the Nazis … murdered a huge proportion of my family … And so when someone does a Nazi salute at me it feels like they want to kill me.”
- Witness ‘ACJ’ in sworn testimony to the Royal Commission
Why Australia’s Antisemitism Royal Commission Is Investigating Universities
Scope of the Inquiry
The testimony forms part of Australia’s Antisemitism Royal Commission’s broader examination of antisemitism in Australian universities and the higher education sector. Led by former High Court Justice Virginia Bell AC SC, the inquiry is assessing whether existing anti-discrimination policies adequately protect students and staff.
By the Numbers
- 7,400+ submissions received from individuals and organizations.
- 4 hearing blocks scheduled to examine different aspects of social cohesion.
- Current focus: Universities, campus safety, and institutional responses to antisemitism.
What the Commission Is Reviewing
The inquiry is examining whether university complaint procedures, disciplinary systems, and campus safety measures are sufficient to address antisemitism and protect students and staff.
Why This Case Matters
According to the tutor’s testimony, the students initially received formal warnings. They were suspended only after NSW Police became involved, raising questions about how universities handle serious misconduct before external authorities intervene.
The testimony has renewed discussions about creating safe and inclusive learning environments, where educational wellbeing is considered alongside academic achievement.
What Happens Next
Australia’s Antisemitism Royal Commission is expected to continue hearing evidence from students, academics, and university leaders before delivering its final recommendations to the Australian Government later this year.
The upcoming hearing blocks will continue to analyze how educational institutions and law enforcement agencies coordinate to protect staff and maintain campus safety.
