A staff member was left bleeding after he was set upon at a “solidarity with Gaza” encampment at a Victorian university, raising tensions between Pro-Palestine supporters and Jewish students.
Tensions reached boiling point at two Victorian universities on Tuesday as Palestine and Israel supporters clashed at “solidarity with Gaza” encampments, leaving one staff member with cuts and bruises.
Students at Deakin University and La Trobe University launched their “camp for Palestine” following similar ongoing demonstrations held at Monash University and the University of Melbourne last week and RMIT on Monday.
The Victorian universities have joined a global student movement where pro-Palestine supporters are calling on tertiary institutions to cut ties with companies associated with weapon manufacturing and Israel.
While most Victorian demonstrations have been civil so far, scenes at Deakin and Monash universities took a violent turn when opposing protesters collided.
Deakin employee Yotam Barazani was silently protesting on the steps of the Morgan’s Walk stage at the university’s Burwood Campus, when he was targeted by pro-Palestine supporters because of a sign he was holding.
“I’m Jewish, I’m from Israel, I was an IDF (Israel Defence Force) soldier. I have been to Gaza, I’ve met with many Palestinians, I want peace for all. Let’s talk,” his sign said.
Mr Barazani said he had his sign ripped out of his hands, prompting him to take a pro-Palestine poster in response, before he was set upon by the opposing group.
Read the article by Rebecca Borg and Susie O’Brien in the Herald Sun.