DistantNews
Support us
🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

Jewish student recounts antisemitic abuse at Monash University and TikToks filmed at Auschwitz

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A Jewish student at Monash University described experiencing antisemitism, including being told "we won't stop until people like you are kicked off campus."
  • The student reported the incident but the university found insufficient evidence to substantiate her claims.
  • She also recounted witnessing students filming TikToks in the car parks of Auschwitz and other Holocaust-era concentration camps during a university trip.

A Jewish student has detailed her experiences of antisemitism at Monash University, including confronting remarks and witnessing disturbing behavior during a university trip to Holocaust sites. Paris Enten, now a legal associate for a Federal Court judge, testified before the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion.

we won't stop until people like you are kicked off campus

— StudentA remark made to Paris Enten by a student on her first day at Monash University.

Enten recounted an incident on her first day at Monash where a student group member, after learning she was Jewish and had spent time on a Kibbutz, stated their group was anti-Zionist. Another student then joined, telling her, "we won't stop until people like you are kicked off campus" and questioning if she "liked killing Palestinians."

Despite reporting the incident to Monash University, Enten was informed that there was insufficient evidence to support her version of events, and "nothing would happen." She described her mental health deteriorating by 2024 due to escalating antisemitic experiences, particularly during pro-Palestinian encampments on campus in response to the conflict in Gaza.

They emailed me to tell me that nothing would happen

— Paris EntenDescribing the university's response to her complaint about the antisemitic incident.

Further distress came during a 10-day university study tour in June 2024 through Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic, which included visits to Holocaust-era concentration camps. Enten told the commission, "People were filming TikToks in the car parks of Auschwitz and concentration camps." Tour guides had to intervene, reminding students, "Hey, we're at Auschwitz, calm down."

That was the start of the end for me in terms of my faith in the secular institution that was Monash

— Paris EntenExpressing her disillusionment with the university following the incident and its aftermath.

Enten's testimony highlights the profound impact of antisemitism on Jewish students in Australian universities, affecting their sense of safety and belonging. The royal commission is hearing such experiences to address concerns about social cohesion and antisemitism on campuses.

People were filming TikToks in the car parks of Auschwitz and concentration camps

— Paris EntenRecounting disturbing behavior witnessed during a university trip to Holocaust sites.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog