No big clashes amid Aussie campus protests over Gaza

Rallies against Israel’s strikes on Gaza lead to some stand-offs but no major disruptions

- Jonathan Pearlman

The lawns outside Sydney University's 19th-century, Gothic-style quadrangle building are typically bustling with students, chatting or resting during breaks between classes.

But since April 23, the lawns have been occupied by rows of tents, alongside Palestinian flags and makeshift signs with slogans such as "Free Gaza", as part of a student protest against Israel's strikes on Gaza.

The encampment - which began as a show of support for similar camps at Columbia University and elsewhere in the US - is the first in Australia. But it was followed by similar pro-Palestinian camps on major campuses such as Melbourne University and Australian National University (ANU).

These have disrupted some campus activities and led to class cancellations at Melbourne University, but have so far not led to the sort of arrests and clashes that have unfolded across the US.

The protesters are urging universities to disclose and end any financial ties to Israel as well as to boycott Israeli institutions and academics over the war in Gaza. They have also made broader demands for universities to disclose and cut ties with weapons manufacturers.

Near the Sydney University camp, Mr Tony Park, a 25-year-old medical student from South Korea, told The Straits Times on May 30 that he had not had any engagement with the protesters and had not been affected by them.

"When I first saw it, I thought there was some kind of student camp going on," he said. "Then I saw there were some protests going on. It doesn't really bother me."

Universities have tended to call for the camps to be disbanded due to concerns about health and safety, but have supported the right to protest peacefully on campus.