ARC suspends $870,000 grant to pro-Palestine academic Randa Abdel-Fattah, senators told

ARC chief Prof Peter Shergold defends decision at estimates hearing but is accused of bowing to allegations in racist' media

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A prominent academic and Palestinian advocate has had her $870,000 grant suspended after the education minister requested the board of the Australian Research Council (ARC) investigate her fellowship.

Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah, the recipient of an ARC Future Fellowship and an academic at Macquarie University, has faced sustained criticism from the Coalition, some Jewish bodies and media outlets for controversial comments on Israel, including alleging Zionists had no claim or right to cultural safety".