UQ staff member’s office allegedly targeted in urine attack as tensions escalate between students
The University of Queensland has been forced to increase security and hire several guards as tensions between pro-Palestine supporters and Jewish students threaten to explode. WATCH THE VIDEO.
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The office of a Jewish academic at Queensland’s top university has been targeted by a urine attack as tensions between Pro-Palestine supporters and Jewish students rise.
It comes as another protest is planned for Thursday.
The Jewish academic’s office at the University of Queensland was allegedly broken into and “urinated” in last week, prompting police to be called and the university to launch an internal investigation.
Police confirmed officers attended the university’s St Lucia campus last Wednesday and escorted a young woman off campus before fining her for trespassing.
The alleged incident comes amid rising tensions between Pro-Palestine supporters and Jewish students who have established separate campsites at the UQ St Lucia campus.
It is understood the targeted staff member, who has Jewish connections, was too shaken up to come forward and did not want to be named.
However, they allege their office was broken into on May 1, with the intruder “urinating” on the floor of the office and posted signs saying “resign”.
Police have confirmed they were called to a trespass incident at the campus that day about 3pm following reports a person was creating a disturbance.
“Upon arrival, police located a 23-year-old West End woman. The woman was asked to leave the area and allegedly did not comply,” a police spokeswoman said.
“Police escorted her from the premises and transported her to hospital as a precaution. She has since been issued a fine for trespassing [$309].”
Yoni Nazarathy, an Associate Professor at The University of Queensland, who has been staying at the Israeli counter-protest camp since the Pro-Palestinian encampment went up on April 29, and said he saw the staff member’s office after the incident.
“Jewish and Israeli staff members feel that the university is treating this attack as a singular event, even though it is clearly linked and motivated by the incitement and harassment in the anti-Israel camp,” Mr Nazarathy said.
“So it wasn’t an event that was orchestrated by the anti-Israel camp, they did not orchestrate it. They even probably asked at some point for that person to be removed, but still the anti-Israel incitement.”
Jason Steinberg, president of the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies, said this incident was repulsive.
He said ransacking and urinating in a Jewish academic’s office appeared to be anti-Semitic.
“Jewish staff and students are understandably concerned about their safety and now more than ever the anti-Semitism on campus needs to be stopped,” he said.
“This is not just a Jewish issue, all Queenslanders should be concerned about the rise in antisemitism because the fabric of social cohesion is being damaged.”
Queensland Jewish Collective organiser Roslyn Mendelle said there has been daily escalations in tensions between the two opposing camps and called on UQ to hold those involved to account, if necessary.
Police are also investigating an alleged assault of two security guards at the University of Queensland earlier this month, which happened during the time since the protest began.
“Investigations are ongoing into the alleged assault of two security guards by two men at the educational facility earlier this month,’’ a Queensland Police Service spokesperson said.
“While we respect the right for anyone in Queensland to protest peacefully, violence of any kind will not be tolerated.”
On May 4, Police were called back to the campus for a disturbance and located a 23-year-old West End woman who was then charged with public nuisance.
It will be alleged the woman arrested on May 4 is the same woman accused of the May 1 urine attack.
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”.
University of Queensland Vice-Chancellor Deborah Terry said in an all-staff email on Tuesday that “this is a difficult time for some in our community”.
“As part of our commitment to freedom of speech, the University is continuing to respect the decision by some of our staff and students to protest on campus,” Professor Terry wrote.
“While the vast majority of protest activities have been civil, there have been a few incidents from a small number of individuals that are unacceptable.
“The University has taken appropriate action, including having an inappropriate flag removed, addressing anti-social behaviour, and escalating matters – where appropriate – to police.
“I want to remind our community that any protest activities must be within the boundaries of free speech as specified in our policies and the law, and cannot prevent staff and students engaging with university activities.
“We are continuing to engage daily with the organisers of the protest camps, and we have increased security on campus to monitor activities and take appropriate action as required.”
It’s understood UQ has increased security between the two camps, now with four hired guards watching the camps since Monday as tensions continue to rise.
“This is UQ money that could otherwise be used for scholarships and disadvantaged students,” Associate Professor Nazarathy said.
A UQ spokeswoman confirmed it had reported two incidents to police, in addition to launching its own internal inquiry. The university provided some detail of the second incident.
“The University did seek police support on another matter involving a student and staff member, which has been conflated with the protests on campus. While the behaviour of the student is unacceptable, there were extenuating circumstances relating to this matter,” she said.
“The University has a duty of care to the student and staff member, and cannot comment further on this matter. We are continuing to provide support to the staff member and student.
“Predominantly, activities have been civil, with the vast majority of people exercising their right to protest peacefully and respectfully.
“Staff and students have been reminded of the University’s expectations that protests on campus are civil, ensuring our campuses remain respectful and inclusive places – where staff and student are safe to engage in university activities. Racism, discrimination and hate speech will not be tolerated.
“The University has established processes to monitor activities on campus and is responding appropriately to any actions or behaviours that are unacceptable. A few incidents from a small number of individuals have gone beyond the limits of what is acceptable.
“We have reported two incidents to Queensland Police who are also helping to verify whether those involved are part of our UQ community.”
It comes after UQ students joined a global student movement where pro-Palestine supporters are calling on universities to cut ties with companies associated with weapon manufacturing and Israel.
While most Queensland demonstrations have been civil so far, scenes at the St Lucia campus are taking a worrying turn as opposing protesters use intimidation tactics.
Queensland Jewish Collective organiser Roslyn Mendelle said there has been daily escalations in tensions between the two opposing camps and called on UQ to hold those involved to account, if necessary.
This comes as a flag of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine was seen flying alongside other banners on the third day of the protesters’ university campout.
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