The University of Sydney has terminated the employment of lecturer Rose Nakad following an investigation into a verbal outburst directed at Jewish students celebrating the festival of Sukkot on campus, an incident that was captured on video and widely circulated online. The dismissal comes months after the confrontation occurred in October and follows her suspension pending a formal inquiry.
The case has drawn national attention, intersecting with broader debates in Australia around antisemitism, freedom of expression, campus protest culture, and the impact of the Israel–Gaza conflict on domestic social cohesion. The university’s decision was announced amid heightened public concern about hate speech and religious harassment, particularly in the wake of a deadly mass shooting at Bondi Beach and a perceived rise in antisemitic incidents across the country.
The confrontation took place at a student-run stall marking Sukkot, a Jewish harvest festival that involves communal gatherings and symbolic structures known as sukkahs. According to witnesses, the stall contained no political messaging or references to the war in Gaza. Nevertheless, Rose Nakad, then a lecturer in the Department of Media and Communications, approached the students and shouted political slogans before launching into a prolonged verbal tirade.
Jewish academics and students present described the encounter as targeted, hostile, and deeply distressing, prompting immediate complaints to university authorities and sparking public outrage once footage of the exchange appeared online. University officials moved swiftly to suspend Ms Nakad while an investigation was conducted under internal disciplinary procedures.
After several weeks of review, the university concluded that her conduct amounted to serious misconduct and breached its expectations regarding staff behaviour, particularly in relation to safety, respect, and inclusivity on campus. The termination has been framed by the institution as necessary to uphold these standards, while also signalling zero tolerance for antisemitism and harassment within its academic community.
The October confrontation and allegations of antisemitic language
The incident occurred in October when Jewish students had set up a stall to observe Sukkot, a religious festival commemorating the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness. Sarah Aamidor, a Jewish academic at the University of Sydney who was present at the scene, later provided a detailed account of the exchange to the media. She stated that Rose Nakad approached the stall and shouted “Free Palestine,” despite the absence of any political symbolism or references to Israel or Gaza.
Ms Aamidor responded by telling her that the gathering was for a Jewish religious holiday and that introducing such slogans in that context was antisemitic. According to Ms Aamidor’s account, the interaction escalated rapidly. Rose Nakad reportedly claimed to be an Indigenous Palestinian and responded with a series of statements denouncing Zionists, asserting that a Zionist “whether they are Jewish, whether they are Christian, whether they are Muslim … is the lowest form of rubbish.”
She allegedly accused those she was addressing of being responsible for the deaths of children and used language that witnesses described as demeaning and abusive. Phrases such as “you are disgusting,” “look at this rubbish,” and “you are depraved” were attributed to her during the outburst. Students at the stall reportedly asked her to move on, but the confrontation continued until she eventually left.
University of Sydney fires instructor for 'harassing Jews' on campus
— The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) December 17, 2025
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The University of Sydney in Australia has dismissed one of its instructors, Rose Nakad, a day after the Bondi Beach attack.
Nakad, who identifies as an “indigenous Palestinian,” was filmed in October… pic.twitter.com/OHz7Teylw8
Ms Aamidor and others stressed that the stall was deliberately apolitical and focused solely on religious observance. She described the incident as a targeted intrusion into a Jewish space, arguing that the introduction of inflammatory political accusations in that setting constituted antisemitic harassment rather than legitimate political protest. The video footage, which circulated widely on social media platforms, amplified these concerns and triggered condemnation from Jewish community organisations, university staff, and political figures.
The language attributed to Ms Nakad, particularly her characterisation of Zionists and the implication of collective guilt, became a central focus of the subsequent investigation. Critics argued that the comments crossed the line from political criticism into hate speech, especially given the religious context and the manner in which they were delivered. Supporters of strong disciplinary action contended that the power imbalance between a staff member and students, combined with the religious nature of the gathering, made the conduct especially serious.
University investigation, suspension, and termination
Following the circulation of the video, the University of Sydney announced that Ms Nakad had been suspended pending a formal investigation. University officials emphasised that the suspension was a precautionary measure designed to allow an impartial review of the incident in line with established procedures. The investigation examined video evidence, witness statements, and relevant university policies governing staff conduct, harassment, and discrimination.
In a statement issued on 15 December, the university confirmed that the investigation had concluded and that Ms Nakad’s employment had been terminated on the grounds of serious misconduct. The statement described her behaviour as “deeply distressing and utterly unacceptable,” underscoring the institution’s obligation to ensure that its campuses remain safe and welcoming environments for all students and staff. University leaders stated that the decision followed careful consideration and was consistent with clear expectations regarding respectful conduct.
The university also acknowledged the impact of the incident on those who witnessed or were targeted by the outburst. It confirmed that it had issued apologies to affected students and staff and had made free and confidential wellbeing support available to members of the university community. The statement reiterated that hate speech, antisemitism, and harassment have no place at the institution, framing the termination as part of a broader commitment to inclusion and safety.
The dismissal occurred just one day after a mass shooting at Bondi Beach that claimed 15 lives, an event that intensified national conversations about violence, extremism, and social division. While the university did not directly link the two events, the timing contributed to a heightened sensitivity around issues of hate speech and public safety. The case has since been cited in broader discussions about how institutions should respond to expressions of political anger that manifest as harassment or intimidation, particularly within educational settings.
Ms Nakad has not publicly responded in detail to the termination, and it remains unclear whether she intends to challenge the decision through legal or industrial avenues. The university has declined to comment on potential appeals or disputes, citing privacy and employment law considerations.
Broader context: antisemitism, campus protests, and national policy debates
The University of Sydney’s decision comes against a backdrop of growing concern about antisemitism in Australia, particularly since the outbreak of the Israel–Gaza war. Jewish community leaders have reported an increase in incidents ranging from verbal abuse and vandalism to threats and intimidation. Many have argued that heightened tensions over the conflict have spilled into domestic spaces, including universities, where debates over Israel and Palestine are often highly charged.
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Australian universities, including the University of Sydney, have experienced waves of pro-Palestinian student protests over the past year. In several cases, students established encampments and demanded that institutions sever academic and research ties with Israel. These protests have sparked debates about academic freedom, institutional neutrality, and the boundaries between protest and disruption. At the University of Sydney, Vice-Chancellor Mark Scott AO publicly rejected calls to cut ties with Israeli institutions, arguing that such measures would undermine academic collaboration and the university’s mission.
The Nakad incident has been viewed by many observers as part of a broader pattern in which political activism intersects with religious and ethnic identity, sometimes resulting in harassment or exclusion. Jewish students and staff have expressed concern that anti-Zionist rhetoric, when applied indiscriminately or in religious contexts, can function as a proxy for antisemitism. Others have cautioned against conflating criticism of Israeli government policy with hatred of Jewish people, emphasising the need for nuanced and respectful discourse.
At the national level, the incident coincided with announcements by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that the federal government intends to significantly tighten hate speech laws. Speaking in the aftermath of the Bondi Beach mass shooting, the prime minister said the proposed measures would include targeting religious preachers who promote violence and introducing new powers to cancel or reject visas for individuals who spread hate and division. While these proposals are still subject to legislative processes, they reflect a broader political emphasis on addressing extremism and protecting social cohesion.
The renewed focus on antisemitism has also been shaped by the humanitarian toll of the Israel–Gaza conflict. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s offensive, which has devastated large areas of the territory, displaced approximately 90 per cent of the population, and contributed to a severe humanitarian crisis with warnings of famine. The war was triggered by a Hamas-led attack in which around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in Israel and 251 others were abducted. These figures are frequently cited in public debates and protests, underscoring the emotional intensity surrounding the conflict.
Within this context, universities have faced increasing pressure to balance freedom of expression with the protection of students and staff from harassment and hate speech. The University of Sydney’s handling of the Nakad case is likely to be scrutinised as a precedent for how institutions respond when political expression is deemed to cross institutional boundaries. For supporters of the decision, the termination demonstrates a clear stance against antisemitism and staff misconduct. For critics, it raises questions about the limits of political speech and the processes by which universities adjudicate such disputes.
As Australian society continues to grapple with the domestic implications of international conflicts, the case highlights the challenges facing educational institutions in maintaining respectful, inclusive environments amid deeply polarising global events. The University of Sydney has indicated that it will continue to review its policies and provide support to affected communities, positioning the decision as part of an ongoing effort to address discrimination and uphold behavioural standards on campus.