UQ protest tensions: Premier’s warning ahead of uni protest amid ‘hate crime, anti-Semitism’ claims

Premier Steven Miles has warned protesters at Queensland’s top university not to overstep the mark amid escalating tensions between Palestine supporters and Jewish students and staff, as the institution has been forced to increase security.

Premier Steven Miles has warned protesters at Queensland’s top university not to overstep the mark amid escalating tensions between Palestine supporters and Jewish students and staff.

A pro-Palestine protest is planned to take place at the University of Queensland at noon on Thursday.

Protesters will be walking through the campus to urge the university to cut ties with weapons manufacturers.

In a post to social media, The Students for Palestine group said “we demand that our university cuts all ties with Boeing” and are calling for “Boeing out of UQ”.

Pro-Palestine supporters and Jewish students have established separate campsites at the University of Queensland St Lucia campus, Wednesday, May 8, 2024 – Picture: Richard Walker

Laura Nolan has been at the pro-Palestinian encampment since last Monday and said, in light of an incident where a Jewish academic’s office was allegedly broken into and “urinated” in, “we are a peaceful campaign.”

“We want to peaceful protest, get as many students involved for Palestine as possible,” Ms Nolan said.

“We have nothing to do any these attacks and we want to keep on focusing on how we can win our demands.”

Ms Nolan, alongside Will Sim and Liam Parry said they have no plans of leaving the encampments until the demands of the group are met.

Alyssa Peterson, from the encampment “camp shalom” said she does not feel safe on campus and said learning should come first at the university.

“I don’t feel safe on campus, I don’t feel the university is reflective on my views of safety, equality, diversity and inclusion,” Ms Peterson said.

Brandon Hulse, Alyssa Peterson and Yoni Nazarathy, an Associate Professor at The University of Queensland, at 'Camp Shalom'. Picture: Richard Walker

Ms Peterson is a PHD student and has travelled from Arizona in the US to study in Queensland.

“The university is not a campground, it is a place to learn to study to research and that’s why I came all the way from across the world to be able to study here in Australia,” she said.

“Learning always comes first.”

Mr Miles said he would “always support every Queenslanders right to free speech and to protest”.

But he warned there was no place for hate speech, bullying, or violence.

“It was a while ago, but I myself used to protest at the University of Queensland and so I certainly respect and will stand up for their right to protest.

“But there is also no place for hate speech, there is no place for violence, there is no place for bullying and intimidation.

“And if any of these protests overstep that mark, then I would support the university and the police and other authorities doing what is necessary to keep other Queenslanders safe”.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said acts of racism were “not on”.

“Racism has no part in multicultural Queensland, no part,” he said.

“We should send the clearest message, that’s not on.”