UQ condemned over offer to pro-Palestinian student activists

Queensland’s biggest university has been accused of allowing an activist “mob” to control its policy, after a leaked document revealed a proposal to pro-Palestinian student protesters.

Queensland’s biggest university has been accused of allowing an activist “mob” to control its policy, after a leaked document revealed a proposal to pro-Palestinian student protesters.

University of Queensland on Thursday submitted the draft document, seen by The Courier-Mail, to Students For Palestine. However the agreement was rejected by the activists, and brought condemnation from the state’s peak Jewish body.

In exchange for the protesters disbanding their encampment at UQ’s Great Court by 5pm Friday, the university would provide greater transparency about its sensitive research grants with defence organisations and weapons manufacturing corporations.

Pro-Palestine group member at the St Lucia encampment, as document reveals 5pm deadline for removal of camps. Photo: David Clark

It would also develop and publish an anti-racism commitment, to operate alongside its diversity, equity and inclusive behaviour policy, and codes of conduct for students and staff. UQ also offered to increase the availability of scholarships for students from Gaza and other communities affected by war.

It follows University of Sydney’s controversial backdown to pro-Palestinian students, agreeing to review its investment portfolio and ties with defence companies.

Jewish Board of Deputies president Jason Steinberg said the offer by UQ would only fuel the fire.

“This is essentially allowing an activist mob to control their policy, and that is unacceptable for a university of the stature of UQ to be doing,” he said.

Mr Steinberg said the “mob” had no experience with defence.

“UQ have allowed the mob to set their policy over very sensitive matters, so what’s next?” he said.

“If you’re a Year 12 Jewish student and thinking of going the UQ, you’ll be rethinking that decision because its just not safe, particularly if that’s the environment the university is fostering.”

Security guards stop people entering UQ’s Great Court after a bomb hoax on Wednesday. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Students For Palestine organiser Ella Gutteridge said: “The camp has discussed this offer from the university and has so far decided not to endorse it.

“No agreement has been signed by anyone at the camp.”

UQ said it was working with protest organisers on a peaceful resolution that would see the camp discontinued as soon as possible.

Students on Wednesday evening overwhelmingly voted for the University of Queensland to divest from businesses with alleged links to Israel, despite a bomb threat causing part of the campus to be evacuated hours earlier.

More than 1000 students attended the general meeting of the UQ Union to vote on three motions that called for the university to cut ties with companies supplying arms to the Israel defence force, including aerospace giants Boeing and Northrop Grumman.

After a slight delay, the meeting went ahead, following police presence on the campus investigating a “hoax” bomb threat, that was the Great Court evacuated for several hours, which has been the base of the pro-Palestine encampment for the past four weeks.

The document also outlines that no disruptive protests are organised to occur during the university’s scheduled exam periods.