Pro-Palestine movement which led to hundreds of arrests at American universities in Sydney

A pro-Palestine movement resulting in hundreds of arrests at American universities has made its way to Australia, with an encampment springing up at the University of Sydney.

A pro-Palestine movement resulting in hundreds of arrests at American universities has made its way to Australia, with an encampment including the anti-Israel phrase ‘From the river to the sea’ springing up at the University of Sydney.

Tents, gazebos and desks were set up on Tuesday night at the University of Sydney’s historic Camperdown campus — adorned with posters urging the university to end financial ties with Israel, amid the conflict in Gaza.

Students told The Daily Telegraph they intend on camping out on the site until the university takes action.

Posters implore the university to ‘Cut ties (with) arms manufacturers”, and another says ‘Columbia first, USyd next — all universities must divest’.

In one image, a large banner stating ‘Gaza solidarity encampment’ is unfurled in front of the camp.

A banner stating ‘Gaza solidarity encampment’ was unfurled on campus.

The phrase ‘To the sea’ can be interpreted as meaning the state of Israel should be dismantled.

Tents pitched on the lawn include the phrase ‘From the river to the sea’ spray-painted on them, a phrase interpreted as meaning the state of Israel should be dismantled.

More than 200 arrests have been made at New York University and Columbia University in the United States in recent days after rowdy protests at encampments set up on university campuses, aimed at pressuring the universities into cutting their financial ties to Israel.

The rally comes amid the Jewish holiday of Passover.

An ongoing pro-Palestinian encampment at Columbia University. Picture: Getty Images

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 23: Pro-Israel students stand nearby as Columbia University students participate in an ongoing pro-Palestinian encampment on their campus. Picture: Getty Images

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Peter Wertheim previously told The Telegraph universities across the world had been a breeding ground for anti-Semitic action since Hamas’ attack on Israel last year.

“In most western countries, and especially since October 7 last year, university campuses have been ground zero in the explosion of anti-Semitic behaviour,” he said.

“The situation has been aggravated by deep moral confusion within university administrations in failing to understand in real life situations where free speech ends and abuse, harassment and intimidation begins.”

The pro-Palestine ‘encampment’ at the University of Sydney.

Tents were set up at the Camperdown campus.

Greens Senator David Shoebridge took to social media on Tuesday night supporting the action, posting “Students for Palestine are starting an occupation of Sydney University. Acting as they can to try and stop a genocide, and acting at an institution that shamelessly benefits from weapons $$$”.

Tents pitched at the University of Sydney. Picture: Richard Dobson

Students setting up for a Pro-Palestinian sit in on Wednesday. Picture: Richard Dobson

A University of Sydney spokeswoman said they were “aware of a gathering at our Quadrangle and are carefully monitoring in line with our crowd management protocols to ensure a safe environment for all events including protests”.

“A wide range of views and perspectives exist among our community, and we strongly believe that as a university our role is to serve as a forum for debate and discussion in line with our Charter of Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech,” she said.

She said while the university was “absolutely committed to freedom of speech and academic freedom during this troubling time we have zero tolerance for any form of racism, threats to safety, hate speech, intimidation, threatening speech, bullying or unlawful harassment, including anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim language or behaviour”.

She said the university had a protective services team available around the clock if any students or community members required “immediate support”.

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Originally published as Pro-Palestine movement which led to hundreds of arrests at American universities in Sydney