University of Sydney argues academic’s article not racist against Jewish people as ‘Zionism is a political concept’

University of Sydney academic Dr Nick Riemer speaks during a rally ahead of federal court hearings in Sydney. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP

The University of Sydney has argued that an article written by a staff member that criticises Zionism was not racist against Jewish people because “Zionism is, at its core, a political concept”.

The argument was heard in the federal court on Monday as part of a racial discrimination case taken by academics against two of their colleagues and the university, in what is being considered a major test case for hate speech in Australia.