Hundreds of people protesting Israel’s war in Gaza had gathered at one of Australia’s top universities on Friday, demanding the severance of ties with companies allied with Israel, in a movement inspired by the student occupations overwhelming U.S. campuses.
The pro-Palestinian activists had set up an encampment within the last week, outside the sandstone main hall at University of Sydney –one of Australia’s largest tertiary institutions.
Similar camps have also sprung up at universities in Melbourne, Canberra and other cities in Australia.
But remarkably, unlike in the United States where police have forcefully removed scores of defiant pro-Palestinian protesters at several colleges, the protest sites in Australia have remained mostly peaceful, with minimal police presence.
The protesters had on Friday, rallied to demand that University of Sydney divest from companies with ties to Israel, reiterating the demands from students in the U.S., Canada and France.
The University of Sydney vice chancellor, Mark Scott, on Thursday, informed local media that the pro-Palestinian encampment could stay on campus in part because there was not the violence seen in the U.S.
Although several police cars were parked at the entrance to the university, no police officials were present at either protest.
Long a stalwart ally of Israel, Australia had for the longest time, been a staunch ally of Israel but the country has grown increasingly critical of its conduct in Gaza, especially after an Australian aid worker was killed in an Israeli attack in April.
Meanwhile, the pro-Palestinian protesters have said that the government hasn’t done enough to push for peace, leading crowds in chant against Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his government.
Why It Matters
The recent rise of Pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallying across Australian universities is a huge signal of the growing support for Gaza amidst its ongoing conflict with Israel.
- These student protests are calling attention to Israel’s actions, and its ties with certain companies.
- Additionally, the decision by the University of Sydney’s vice chancellor to allow the encampment shows that the human right freedom to protest is not being stifled in the country, unlike in the United States.
- Finally, protesters directing their frustrations towards Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shows a growing dissatisfaction with traditional political channels and an increasing demand for tangible action to be done in support of Palestine.
Bottom Line
The protest movement signifies a global shift in attitudes towards Israel’s conduct, with Australia, a former staunch ally, now among those strongly criticising Israel’s policies.
Also, the protests should not be overlooked but instead proper action should be taken including divesting from companies linked to Israel.
