Students and staff from the University of Sydney (USyd), the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) staged protests on Wednesday against the presence of Israeli Defence Force (IDF) reservists on their campuses. The events, hosted by pro-Israel groups StandWithUs Australia and Israel-Is, were promoted as “immersive VR experiences” and “interfaith panel discussions” designed to foster social cohesion. However, critics argue the events served to normalise and legitimise the actions of a military accused of war crimes in Gaza.
At USyd, approximately 75 protesters gathered at the university’s F23 Administration Building at 6pm, following a similar action by 40 students earlier that afternoon at UTS. A simultaneous event was held at UNSW. The protests were organised by student group Students Against War (SAW), with strong support from academic staff, Palestinian solidarity groups, and anti-Zionist Jewish activists.
“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!” protesters chanted, waving Palestinian flags and holding signs that denounced the university administration’s decision to allow the events to proceed.
Protesters Condemn University Complicity
The backlash came after open letters were submitted to university leadership. At UTS, over 200 students and staff signed a petition demanding the event be cancelled. A similar letter from SAW at USyd garnered over 120 signatures in under 24 hours.
“It is shocking that personnel from a military that established legal and human rights organisations contend is currently committing genocide should be invited onto campus,’ the USyd letter stated.
Despite this, university management allowed the events to go ahead. In response, students and staff voiced their outrage during the protests.
Jacob Starling, a student and chair of the rally at USyd, called out the university on alleged double standards:
“The organisations behind this event, Israel-Is and StandWithUs, both exist explicitly for the purpose of laundering Israel’s blood-stained reputation,” Starling said. “Pro-Palestine students are threatened with disciplinary action just for erecting a trestle table on campus. Meanwhile, the university is inviting active war criminals.”
University Crackdown on Palestine Solidarity
In the days leading up to the protest, students received emails from the university administrators warning of disciplinary consequences for their involvement in the 26th March National Day of Action for Palestine. Organisers claim this is part of a broader campaign to suppress pro-Palestinian advocacy on campus.
Jeannette Monteiro, another organiser from SAW, addressed the crowd: “We’re standing here today as staff and students in absolute outrage with the University’s decision to host an event featuring members of the Israeli Defence Forces — the very military actively carrying out genocidal slaughter in Gaza.”
Monteiro announced the launch of a campaign to hold a Student General Meeting (SGM), aimed at overturning USyd’s controversial Campus Access Policy and rejecting the recently adopted Universities Australia definition of antisemitism, which students argue is being misused to silence criticism of Israel.
“We will continue to agitate, we will mobilise, and we will disrupt until all ties USyd has with Israel are cut,” she said. “No IDF war criminals on campus. No genocide apologists on our campus. Free Palestine.”
Jewish Anti-Zionist and Staff Support
A Jewish speaker from Jews Against the Occupation ’48 spoke at the USyd protest, rejecting the conflation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism: “Anti-Zionism is not antisemitism…Welcoming this organisation makes a mockery of this university’s stated values of respect, non-harassment, and anti-racism.”
The speaker also pointed out that a similar event scheduled at Monash University was cancelled after public pressure — a decision not replicated by USyd or UTS.
Academic staff also lent their voices to the protest. One lecturer told the crowd: “How dare these organisations come to my work and talk about ‘social cohesion’ after the state of Israel has killed over 60,000 people in Gaza. Shame on university management fir thinking this genocide apologism is appropriate in my workplace.”
Ongoing Demands
The protesters called for:
- The cancellation of all partnerships between Australian universities and Israeli institutions, including USyd’s exchange with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, whose Mount Scopus campus is located in East Jerusalem and considered an illegal settlement under international law.
- The repeal of USyd’s Campus Access Policy, which critics argue restricts student organising.
- The rejection of the Universities Australia definition of antisemitism.
- Institutional support for Palestinian students and staff affected by the war in Gaza.
As chants echoed through the sandstone corridors of the University of Sydney, the message was clear: student activists are prepared to escalate until their demands are met.
“Free, free Palestine!” the crowd roared, as the protest concluded.
