Student Claims University Encampments Are Failing to Truly Support Palestinians
Student activists advocating for Palestine have established camps at major universities in Australia.
Those in support of Israel have accused Palestine activists at universities of having broader motives beyond simply backing Middle Eastern people.
Recently, on May 22, “Unimelb for Palestine” announced that it would remove its tents from the South Lawn and Arts West building if the university revealed its financial ties to weapons manufacturers like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and BAE Systems within a month.
They also stated their intention to continue advocating for the university to divest from and condemn “Israel’s genocide against Palestinians.”
Jewish students, who sought to study without facing discrimination on campus, were pleased with the removal of the tents.
However, they believe there is still a long road ahead in combating what they perceive as clear anti-Semitism in educational institutions across Australia.
Feeling Unsafe
Gillard Goodman, an 18-year-old engineering student at Monash University, confessed that carrying an Israeli flag on campus made him anxious about potential verbal or physical attacks.
He shared, “Among all the Jewish students I know, there’s a growing sense of isolation within the community, where they feel unheard at universities.”
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He continued, “I have friends who now take all their classes online because they do not feel safe on campus.
Therefore, I wear it as a statement of ‘I stand by my beliefs.’ I proudly walk with the flag.”
Activists Clearing Out
Dana Alshaer, representing Unimelb for Palestine, stated at a recent media briefing, “The university’s decision is the culmination of eight months of pressure for disclosure and divestment.”
Members of the protest at the University of Melbourne have declined multiple requests for comments from The Epoch Times.
In a message posted on May 24, the group declared, “While we may be dismantling our sit-in and encampment for now, this area will forever be known as Mahmoud’s Hall, in honor of all students who have lost their lives in Gaza.”
They added, “We will not cease our efforts until the University of Melbourne divests!”
Broader Agenda
Meanwhile, another student, Josh, 19, a commerce and finance student at Monash University, believes that the encampment represents a deeper issue.
He expressed, “When it’s associated with organizations like the Socialist Alternative, who have been banned for anti-Semitic behavior on campus, it raises doubts about their true intentions.”
He added, “Their goal is not to support Palestinian statehood; their agenda seems to revolve around disdain for Jewish people, Western society, capitalism, and dismantling the establishment.
They remained silent on atrocities like Bashar al-Assad’s killings in Syria and the atrocities committed by Boko Haram against young girls en route to school.”
University Actions Criticized
David Adler, President of the Australian Jewish Association, criticized universities for allowing the growth of pro-Palestine encampments without taking disciplinary actions.
He commented, “With few exceptions, there’s a lack of strong leadership on university campuses that allows these unlawful encampments to continue.”
Adler added, “This has created an environment where Jewish students and staff face harassment and intimidation, feeling unsafe on campuses.
He emphasized, “This is not reflective of Australia, where everyone should feel secure in an educational setting, free from fear of intimidation and harassment.”
Adler also suggested that activist students align with the pro-Palestinian cause due to the anti-Western ideology underpinning it.
He concluded, “This is not just about Israel versus Hamas; it’s a conflict of civilizations.”
