Universities, politicians, media latest targets of intensifying anti-Israel demonstrations

For several weeks, students protesting Israel’s war in Gaza have established Palestinian solidarity camps on at least 10 Australian universities, including Monash University, the University of Wollongong and the University of Melbourne, echoing a similar trend in America which has caused mass arrests.

Many Australian students are calling on their teaching institutions to disclose and cut ties with organisations linked to Israel, particularly those supplying defence technology and materials.

At the University of Melbourne, pro-Palestinian protesters are refusing to leave a building despite threats to call the police.

More than 100 people stormed the Arts West building at the university's Parkville campus on Wednesday. They were asked to vacate but refused the request, instead setting up tents inside and laying down mattresses. They spent the night camped inside the building, stating that they were willing to risk arrest.

“This is indefinite. This is about disclosing and divesting and nothing will change until the demands are met,” said Gemma O’Toole, an arts student involved in the occupation.

The Melbourne University protest is aimed at the university’s long-standing research agreement with aerospace and defence manufacturer Lockheed Martin.

Melbourne University said it was "concerned by the escalation of these actions" and the behaviour would be investigated. It added that it welcomes debate and peaceful protest on campus – provided it does not extend to "violence, threat or intimidation".

"The safety and wellbeing of our students and staff is our priority and we are working closely with the appropriate authorities to address this matter as soon as possible and to ensure the safety of everyone involved," a Melbourne University spokesperson said. All classes were cancelled on Wednesday.

The encampments have generated mixed responses. More than 500 Australian academics signed a letter saying they are “proud of the students who have established peaceful encampments”, while Jewish students have reported feeling intimidated and threatened. Questions pitting free speech against student safety have become commonplace.

Federal government to investigate racism on campus

The federal government will launch a probe into racism at universities after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said antisemitism is the worst he had seen.

Albanese told 3AW that he was disappointed by examples of “hatred and ignorance” on university campuses, which he said is fuelling a rise in antisemitism.

"It's beyond me why people would think it advances their cause to engage in the sort of behaviour that we are seeing," he said.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan called for calm across universities: “Universities should never, never be a place of violence. And they most certainly should never be a place for antisemitic behaviour. That is not acceptable.”

Despite the evacuation order, the Deakin and Melbourne University protesters say they will remain in place – setting up the potential for a possible flashpoint in the coming days.

Victoria Police have said they are able to assist any universities responding to potential breaches of the peace, but have not yet been involved in any decisions to dismantle the Deakin University encampment or intervene in the Melbourne University demonstration.

READ MORE

Pro-Palestine protesters splash fake blood on deputy premier’s office (The Age, paywall)

Anti-Israel vandalism spree in Melbourne (ABC Listen)

‘Unacceptable’ pro-Palestine protesters ordered off Deakin campus (SMH, paywall)

Students ordered to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment as tensions flare over university protests (ABC)

Australian students camp out in pro-Palestine protests (ABC Listen)

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators refuse to leave University of Melbourne Building after day of protests (ABC)

Pro-Palestine protesters defy warnings to leave Melbourne University building (SMH, paywall)

RELATED STORIES

Opinion: Students have a right to protest. Peacefully. On campus. Universities must be defended. (Alan Finkel, The Age, paywall)
Students have a right to protest. Peacefully. On campus. Free speech is central to the ethos of a university.

Labor backbencher breaks ranks to label Gaza invasion a 'genocide' (ABC)
Labor Senator Fatima Payman has broken ranks to accuse Israel of carrying out "genocide" in Gaza, calling on her party to sanction and cease trade with Israel.

Political football: FIFA to vote on push to expel Israel (SMH, paywall)
The war in Gaza will officially become a political football on Friday when FIFA, the governing body of the world game, votes on whether to support a Palestinian campaign backed by powerful gulf nations to expel Israel from international matches.