Pro-Palestinian university and high school students demand institutes sever ties with Israel

A pro-Palestine student protest near a major CBD has called on educational institutions to sever ties with Israel.

High school and university pro-Palestine protesters marched through Adelaide’s CBD on Thursday, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza but refusing to speak to the media.

The protesters chanted and carried signs with the infamous slogan “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” – a message widely considered to be anti-Semitic and referring to the eradication of Jews and the state of Israel.

Uni students meeting to protest for Palestine at the Adelaide Uni on North Tce and walking down Rundle Mall.14th March 2024 - Picture: Brett Hartwig

Students approached by The Advertiser would not comment, instead deferring to the group’s spokeswoman Briana Symonds-Manne.

She denied this was the message, saying there was no ill intent towards Jewish people.

“I think ‘from the river to the sea’ slogan has no genocidal intent whatsoever,” she said.

“It’s about saying that Palestinians should be allowed to live in their homeland and the Israel- occupied territories should be freed from the siege.”

Uni students meeting to protest for Palestine at the Adelaide Uni on North Tce and walking down Rundle Mall.14th March 2024 - Picture: Brett Hartwig

The young crowd marched through the University of Adelaide central Hub and then along Rundle Mall.

Chants included “Australia, Israel, USA, how many children have you killed today?” and “Albanese you can’t hide, you’re supporting genocide”.

The stated aim of the protest was to force universities to cut ties with Israeli institutions.

MC Kalesh Govender urged the crowd to think of their fellow protesters from around the world in order to strengthen their anger. “We are not alone in our struggle for Palestine,” Mrs Govender shouted into a megaphone.

Uni students meeting to protest for Palestine at the Adelaide Uni on North Tce and walking down Rundle Mall.14th March 2024 - Picture: Brett Hartwig

“We must not forget that – especially in the face of politicians and the media who try to isolate their movements.”

The aims of the group are outlined in a Change.org petition which was published on February 16 and has 801 signatures.

The petition calls for “universities to also take immediate action” and “terminate all partnerships with Israeli academic institutions directly or indirectly involved in supporting or enabling acts of ‘scholasticide’”.

The group will rally again today and on Sunday