Shocking developments in Australia with nearly 800 Sydney University students voting for their student body to not just support and recognize a Palestinian state, but also for “the right of Palestinians to armed resistance” aka terrorism.
Students overflowed into four lecture theatres, voting against an amendment to “condemn Hamas” almost unanimously.
The pro-Palestine Student Representative Council will now “endorse the call for a single, secular democratic state across all of historic Palestine and affirms the right of Palestinians to armed resistance as an occupied people under international law”, after the motion by activist group Students Against War passed at the meeting with only a few votes against it.
Ahead of the SGM, SAW circulated pamphlets on campus with the Hamas triangle symbol on it, and their motion defended the views of a student expelled by Australian National University for saying Hamas deserved “unconditional support”.
The motion said to “win” the campaign for Palestine at Sydney University, student activists “must commit themselves to building a mass, militant student movement on campus” that “affirms the right of Palestinians to armed resistance, and backs the call for a single, democratic, secular state from the river to the sea”.
After hearing from two affirmative speakers, students elected to go to the vote without further debate due to a lack of time.
A separate motion by pro-Palestine encampment group Students for Palestine USYD repeated demands made throughout the student protests for the university to cut ties with Thales and weapons companies, and Israeli academic institutions, and divest from financial investment in the Jewish state.
An amendment raised to “condemn Hamas” was voted down.
Only two speakers in opposition were given the stage.
Naturally, those professing to be on the right side of history and all about “human rights” displayed their “tolerance” towards those with a different (i.e. sane and moral) point of view:
“We have just witnessed is this room voting against an amendment condemning a registered terrorist organisation and one of the worst attacks on Jews since the Holocaust,” the first speaker, who did not identify himself, said.
In response, a Students Against War representative in the front rows spat towards the speaker.
A second negative speaker, who spoke from the front of the lecture theatre draped in an Israeli flag was called a “Zionist” and told to leave the stage.
Here is some footage from the meeting (I should note that the student is not Jewish, but rather a Christian supporter of the Jewish state):
In response to these developments, Sydney University released the following statement promising action:
“The University of Sydney unequivocally condemns violence, terrorism, and any violations of human rights.
“Since the onset of the conflict in the Middle East, we have made it abundantly clear to our community that we do not tolerate any pro-terrorist statements or commentary, including support for Hamas – and any demonstration of support will result in disciplinary action and other possible legal consequences.
“Less than one percent of our student population attended the SRC meeting yesterday – student representative and student-led groups are independent of the University and certainly don’t represent our institutional position nor do they represent the majority of our student body. Their members are required to abide by our policies and codes of conduct and we don’t hesitate to take action if there has been a breach. Our Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) has written again today to the SRC president reminding them of their obligations – and the University is investigating reports of inappropriate conduct at the meeting, and has sought police advice on the legality of certain material used to promote the event. Central to democracy is the freedom for individuals to express diverse and differing opinions and any attempt to intimidate, silence or exclude views is contrary to who we are as a university.
“We know there are deep and complex divisions evident across broader society, and the reverberations of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East have been deeply distressing for many.
“There is also no doubt these last few months have been incredibly difficult times for our community: our utmost priority is that our students and staff feel safe on campus. Every member of our diverse student community must feel included and have equal opportunities to participate in all facets of our vibrant campus life.
“This is why we introduced the Campus Access Policy 2024 (PDF 234) which provides clearer information about our expectations and requirements of conduct on campus. We’re also commissioning an external review to ensure our processes and policies are appropriate to balance our commitment to freedom of speech and academic freedom with our legislative obligations to protect the health and safety of our community, and to do our best to prevent both psychological and physical harm.”
While those attending might be “less than one percent” of their student population,” this is still alarming. 800 students on campus can certainly make life hell for Jewish and students, as well as non-Jewish supporters of Israel.
And while I welcome the University’s statement, were they not aware of the motion beforehand?
And have they truly done enough to combat the blatant displays of hatred on campus, which have been going on for some time?
including from some of their own staff:
Meanwhile, if the university is serious about investigating the meeting, as well as opposing terrorism, it needs to take action against students Jacob Starling and Salma Mardawie, who moved the motion in support of terrorism:
