University of Sydney set to re-hire professor previously sacked over displaying Israeli flag superimposed with swastika during lecture 

A court has ruled in favour of a professor who sued his erstwhile employer, the University of Sydney, ordering the institution to rehire him after he was sacked in connection with the display of a graphic of an Israeli flag with a swastika superimposed onto it.

The image was displayed as part of a slideshow presentation during a lecture regarding media coverage of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

According to the International Definition of Antisemitism, “Drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis” is an example of antisemitism.

Political economist Dr Tim Anderson also requested compensation for the “psychological burden” he was faced with post-dismissal, however this was denied by the court.

The University’s original decision to sack Dr Anderson in February 2019 came after two warnings regarding prior inflammatory remarks that he made about politicians and journalists. 

The court has justified the order to reinstate him by arguing that professors are entitled to express their views under the protection of intellectual freedom.

The order to rehire Dr Anderson is pending the outcome of another appeal against previous legal orders, and it is set to return to court on 5th June.

Campaign Against Antisemitism reports on news and incidents relating to antisemitism worldwide.