Pangallo demands end to Adelaide Uni Gaza camp as Jewish leader slams ‘absolutely deplorable’ protest

A state MP and a senior Jewish community leader have called on the government and the university to end the protest and remove controversial slogans from the campus.

The University of Adelaide has come under fire for allowing the pro-Palestine encampment to continue on its city campus lawn amid claims it’s distressing Jewish staff and students.

The Gaza Solidarity encampment demonstration has seen about 27 tents erected on the university’s Maths Lawn as protesters demand the institution severs its ties to defence industry firms.

Now, independent state MP Frank Pangallo has written to the University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Høj to “request … order the immediate end of the pro-Palestinian protest currently occurring on the University’s grounds”.

MLC Frank Pangallo says the university must remain a neutral space. Picture NCA NewsWire/Emma Brasier

Norman Schueler labelled the prolonged protest “absolutely deplorable”. Picture: Salty Dingo

His call includes getting rid of the controversial “from the river, to the sea” slogan, which is considered by many to be a call for ethnic cleansing and the elimination of the state of Israel.

Mr Pangallo has addressed similar letters to Premier Peter Malinauskas and Education Minister Blair Boyer.

“The protest inflames racial tensions and spreads hate and antisemitic speech against the Jewish community,” Mr Pangallo said.

“Universities must remain neutral environments for the prosperity, safety and wellbeing of all its students and staff.”

Meanwhile, long standing Jewish community leader Norman Schueler said the university management should be actively trying to stop the prolonged protests.

The controversial “from the river to the sea” slogan is seen on the Maths Lawn at Adelaide University. Picture: Mark Brake

Student activists, including Bree Symonds, have been camping at the Adelaide University Gaza solidarity encampment. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dean Martin

He said his main concern was for the Jewish professors and students who had discontinued their work at the campus due to safety concerns.

“I think it’s absolutely deplorable what is going on at the university,” Mr Schueler said.

“There are Jewish students who no longer go there because they are scared for their safety.

“There are several people who have removed bequests from their wills and there are people who have stopped donating to Adelaide University all together.”

However, Mr Schueler said he thinks the camp-out protests was only a “drop in the bucket” in terms of the discrimination the Jewish community faced.

“I think Adelaide University is acting highly irresponsible and its hierarchy should be dismissed for the anti-Semitic mentality coming from it’s personnel.”

A University of Adelaide spokesman did not address the impact the protest was having on the Jewish community on ira campus.

In a statement is said: “The University of Adelaide supports lawful freedom of expression and allows peaceful protests by our students that do not reasonably cause others to feel threatened.

“We do not support behaviour and activities that disrupt the University’s operations or damage property and will take necessary action to ensure the safety of students and staff.”

The organiser of Students for Palestine has been contacted for a comment.