University of Sydney invites activist students to review defence research ties

As part of a ‘comprehensive’ package, campus protesters at the University of Sydney have been offered a say in a review of the institution’s defence research ties.

Protesters at the University of Sydney have been offered a ‘comprehensive’ deal. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

The University of Sydney has invited anti-Israel campers to join a working group to review the elite sandstone institution’s defence and security research ties, in a stunning capitulation.

After months of class disruptions and accusations of anti-Semitism levelled at the activists camped on university grounds, vice-chancellor Mark Scott late on Tuesday said he had offered the demonstrators the most “comprehensive” offer any anti-Israel activists had been given throughout the nation’s protests.

The university has offered to “expand our truth-telling process” in relation to Indigenous Aus­t­ra­lians and “increase opportunities” for Palestinian scholars and students. But its most radical proposal is to allow anti-Israel campers a say in a review of the university’s defence research ties.

Professor Scott wrote in an email to staff and students on Tuesday evening that encampment protesters had until 3pm on Thursday to respond to the offer.

Despite the university’s offer of access into its defence projects, at least one faction of the campers refused anyway because the university would not commit to cutting off Israel immediately.

“We will not be participants in the vice-chancellor’s spin campaign and we will not settle for anything less than the cutting of all ties with Israel and weapons companies known to supply the IDF,” protesters wrote on social media.

They pledged to “continue to heap pressure” and proclaimed, “long live the student intifada”.

The list of offers was largely split into “immediate actions” and “comprehensive engagement”. Under “immediate actions”, the university offered a review of its investments related to “defence and security industries prior to a senate divestment discussion”.

“This is the same process that led to our institutional decision to divest from modern slavery, cluster munitions, fossil fuels and tobacco,” Professor Scott wrote.

The university also offered to increase efforts in “promoting equality and diversity”.

“In addition to acknowledging the history and legacy of racism and injustices experienced by the First Nations peoples of Australia, we will expand our current truth-telling process with reference to current events and their historic relevance at the university,” Professor Scott wrote.

The “comprehensive engagement” section of the offer dealt with concerns that the university management lacked the “authority to decide on … unilaterally”.

“The university would therefore establish a working group to undertake a comprehensive independent review of our research partnerships and produce a report with recommendations,” Professor Scott said.

The working group would comprise student, staff, alumni, university leadership, and independent members. “Student representatives of the encampment group would be invited to put forward names of individuals for membership in the working group,” Professor Scott said.

The review would consider a range of topics including: “existing University of Sydney institutional defence research ties”, “mechanisms to increase opportunities for Palestinian scholars and students, and other scholars and students impacted by conflict”, and the university’s investment policy in line with the university’s “deep commitment to human rights”.

Professor Scott said the group would be asked to report back by the end of the year.