‘Don’t lose your nerve on evictions’, Jewish groups tell University of Melbourne

Jewish community leaders have urged the University of Melbourne to not lose its nerve and follow through on its threats to evict pro-Palestine protesters from a campus building.

Pro-Palestine protesters set up inside the Arts West building at the University of Melbourne on Monday. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Jewish community leaders have urged the University of Melbourne to not lose its nerve and follow through on its threats to evict pro-Palestine protesters from a campus building.

Jeremy Leibler, the president of the Zionist Federation of Australia, said Jewish students no longer felt safe on campus and it was time for the university leadership to “step up”.

“Nobody should be afraid because of their religion or ethnicity,” he told The Australian. “The time has come for Melbourne University to step up.

“The university’s inaction is only encouraging the belligerent behaviour of the mob.

“If there are no consequences for their anti-social and intimidatory activity, the university will face more of it.

“These protesters and Melbourne University’s lack of ­action has shown that the university is no longer a place for free and open discussion.

“The university is clearly not protecting free speech by allowing these protests to continue, because these protests are preventing students from learning and intimidating into silence anyone who disagrees with them.”

The University of Melbourne handed out a notice on Monday warning protesters that they faced possible “termination of enrolments” and referral to Victoria Police. By the afternoon, the university appeared to have not taken any action.

Victoria Police said although it was in constant contact with the university, it was yet to be formally asked to remove students from the Arts West building that they occupied five days ago.

“Victoria Police is continuing to work closely with the University of Melbourne in response to ongoing protests,” a spokesperson told The Australian.

“Police are constantly monitoring the activity and are well equipped to respond to any public order issues if required.

“At this stage Victoria Police has not been requested to intervene or remove any protesters.

“Police will continue to liaise with university security and patrol the area to provide reassurance to the broader community.”

Police say they can remove people from private property only if there is a formal report of trespass.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said calls by the univer­sity to evict the students was a step in the right direction, but the institution needed to follow through.

Pro-Palestine protesters set up outside the Arts West building at the University of Melbourne. Picture: Mark Stewart

“The university has rightly issued the order to leave the building and pack up the encampments; now they must enforce their word,” he said.

“Students who fail to comply should face disciplinary action and prosecution.

“There is a right to protest but absolutely no right to seize buildings, to deny access to others, or camp on university grounds.

“This is thuggery, plain and simple. The country is watching.

“If the police or university lose their nerve, the ramifications will be felt throughout the country.”

La Trobe University in Melbourne says it has begun disciplinary proceedings against students who refused university directions to dismantle their pro-Palestine encampment protest.

“La Trobe University will continue to accommodate the right of students and staff to protest peacefully, safely and respectfully but, for health and safety reasons, without an encampment,” a university spokesperson said in a statement.