Scores of pro-Palestine protesters disrupt Israel remembrance day event at Monash University

More than a hundred pro-Palestine protesters have gathered at Monash University to rally against a commemoration of Israeli fallen soldiers after violence erupted at a University of Melbourne encampment.

More than a hundred pro-Palestine protesters have gathered on Monash University’s College Lawn to protest against a Jewish event commemorating Israeli victims of terror.

The protesters, wearing keffiyehs and high-vis vests, have called to “disrupt” the university’s Yom HaZikaron event, which honours those killed in terrorist attacks, including fallen soldiers.

One speaker said: “The university is complicit in genocide.

“I think the real crime that’s happening here is that Monash University is supporting a genocide.

“We stand on the right side of history and Monash stands on the wrong side.”

Pro-Palestine protesters disrupt the Yom HaZikaron event at Monash University. Picture: David Caird

Police at the scene on Monash University’s College Lawn. Picture: David Caird

The protesters marched toward the Robert Blackwood Hall where the Israeli event was being held, chanting “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”.

Last week Anthony Albanese said the chant was a “violent statement” that had no place on Australian streets and opposed a two-state solution.

The pro-Palestine supporters also chanted “out, out, Israel out”.

Another group was spotted marching around the university holding Palestinian flags chanting “free, free Palestine”.

A large police presence was at the scene.

Pro-Palestine protesters face off with those commemorating Israeli soldiers. Picture: David Caird

Pro-Palestine protesters prepare to disrupt the event. Picture: David Caird

Violence breaks out at Melbourne Uni

It comes after the University of Melbourne’s pro-Palestine encampment was attacked by vandals, with objects thrown at students and fire extinguishers set off.

Dramatic footage shows a group of pro-Palestine supporters running away from two men wearing balaclavas, who are seen throwing objects and verbally abusing students at the Parkville campus on Sunday night.

The video shows fire extinguishers being set off at the encampment, with the vandals shouting “F--- Palestine”.

Two vandals hurl bottles at pro-Palestine protesters.

A fire extinguisher and camp chair can also be seen floating in one of the university’s ponds.

Unimelb For Palestine said on Instagram: “Our camp is under attack. People with glass bottles, bats and fire extinguishers have attempted to breach the camp boundaries.”

“We’re calling on the community to come with numbers to defend the camp and stay the night,” the post said.

“We have tents available. Free Palestine.”

In a separate comment on the post, the group said: “This is what happens when our universities choose not to listen to their students and we’ve been put into harm’s way because of their complicity.”

“We hold the University of Melbourne responsible for our safety,” they said.

A fire extinguisher and chair floating in a pond at Melbourne University.

A University of Melbourne spokeswoman said: “Last night a small group of unidentifiable people on scooters entered the Parkville campus and aggressively harassed a group of students who are exercising their right to peaceful protest on the university’s South Lawn.”

“Police attended after being called by university security,” she said.

It comes after security was being increased at the University of Adelaide after fireworks were set off around a pro-Palestinian encampment at the CBD campus last week.

A video showed several loud bangs and explosions of light around tents set up on the maths lawn at the university, which the protesters claim was an “attack” on their camp.

Security will also be beefed up at Monash University’s Clayton campus Monday night, with pro-Palestine supporters set to protest against an annual memorial event commemorating Israeli soldiers.

Police make their presence felt at Monash University. Picture: Suzan Delibasic

Protesters take over lecture hall

Classes are being disrupted at Deakin University this week, with lecturers allowing encampment protesters to address students.

Footage shot at Deakin University on Monday morning shows a young woman from the pro-Palestinian encampment at the Burwood Campus stand at the front of the room and addressing students.

“Right now our university is helping to develop weapons that go to Israel. Those weapons are part of carrying out the genocide that has been taking right now in Gaza. We are protesting for our university to cut all ties to manufacturers. We don’t think our university should have any ties to any companies that make bombs,” she said. She then invited students to visit the camp and to meet a former Israel Defence Forces soldier at 1pm.

A 19-year-old female student who was in the audience said the lecturer was there, but did not stop the speech, which took place just before 10am.

“It was about five minutes before the lecture was due to begin and this woman walked in and didn’t ask permission, but just started to call everyone to attention in the theatre. She said an ex IDF soldier was speaking at the encampment and called us to join the cause.”

The student, who is Jewish, said it made her feel “terrified”.

“It’s my first day on campus for three and a half weeks and I know there are quite a few other Jewish students in this course too. It’s not fun. There are a number who are too scared to go on campus,” she said.

It comes as La Trobe University has told students not to intervene when protesters speak and to give them five minutes to share information then call security if they keep going.

Deakin University sent out a letter to students last week acknowledging that some protesters used threatening behaviour and hate speech towards other members of the university community.

The university has been approached for comment.

Originally published as Scores of pro-Palestine protesters disrupt Israel remembrance day event at Monash University