Two pro-Palestine Melbourne University protesters face expulsion for office occupation

Two student protesters who took part in a demonstration that occupied a Jewish professor’s office could be expelled from the university, while another two face suspension.

Two University of Melbourne students face expulsion for their roles in a protest that occupied a Jewish professor’s office.

The university formally notified the two student organisers on Monday last week that a committee had recommended their expulsion, along with the suspension of two other students.

The students took part in a series of protests on the university’s campus last year, including occupying the office of a Jewish academic, Steven Prawer, who was affiliated with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem – the protesters demanded that the university cut its ties with Israeli universities.

The demonstration came during a period in which tents were erected on campus in a makeshift protest, and the university’s Arts West building was occupied in May last year, which resulted in the rescheduling of classes, disrupting more than 16,800 students.

Pro Palestine protesters occupied the Arts Building at Melbourne University. Picture: David Crosling

The final decision on the expulsion still need to be made by the institution’s new Vice Chancellor Emma Johnston.

“The University respects the rights of individuals to protest – this has not changed. Universities are places where free and open debate must take place, but the safety of our students and staff must also be protected as this is integral to enabling free and open debate,” Ms Johnston said.

“It’s our responsibility to respond to any actions that may intimidate or threaten the safety of students and staff on our campuses. These matters are taken seriously and addressed under the appropriate policy which may include disciplinary procedures.”

A group representing the student protesters, “U Melb for Palestine” posted on social media that the students would be the first students expelled from an Australian university for protesting Israel’s war on Gaza.

Students and staff at Melbourne University protested for Palestine at the Arts West building. Picture: Mark Stewart

The post said the students had “participated in a peaceful protest” and called for a letter-writing campaign to Ms Johnston to “demand that the student misconduct be repealed”.

Protest actions have taken place at the university over the past 18 months with protesters saying they had called on institutions “complicit in the genocide against the Palestinian people” to be cut from the university.

“As we escalated our actions, we knew that repression was inevitable,” the group’s statement read.

Originally published as Two pro-Palestine Melbourne University protesters face expulsion for office occupation