Tensions flare around encampment as Pro-Israel students form counter-demonstration.

Written by Ryan Bourke & Amy Briggs.

Tensions flared on campus today as a Pro-Palestine rally with over a hundred demonstrators was met with a counter-protest led by pro-Israel students. 

As AFP officers and campus security watched over the demonstration, leaders from the camp planted an olive tree at the entrance of the Palestine solidarity encampment on Kambri lawns, while Jewish students sang loudly from the Kambri bridge.

Nick Reich from Students for Palestine was one of the key speakers at today’s rally. He says the nature of the movement’s rallies has changed since the establishment of the encampment, but that today was still “all about people wearing their Keffiyeh and getting involved in Palestine activism on campus.”

Asked about the counter-protest that took place 35 meters away from his demonstration, Reich said there had been a lot of “slanderous comments and lies trying to smear us as anti-Semetic.”

“I reject that entirely. Our protest and its message are very clear; we are thoroughly against the genocide happening in Gaza right now, as well as our university’s investment in it”

Speaking to Observer at the rally, the Australasian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) Federal Treasurer, Joe Hadassin, said, “We are here to show Jewish students deserve safety.”

Hadassin also said that the ANU’s Jewish community was outraged by some of the comments made by the encampment’s leadership, “Particularly what was said on ABC radio.” 

“People have a right to protest, but the messaging coming out of it is anti-Semitic rhetoric”

It comes as Students and Staff against War’s Beatrice Tucker and ANUSA Education officer Luke Harrison continue to face backlash for comments made during an interview with ABC Radio on Tuesday morning. 

In the interview, Tucker told host Ross Solly that “Hamas deserve our unconditional support.” That comment has since prompted the nation’s peak Jewish body to call for their expulsion from ANU. 

ANUSA Welfare officer Skye Predavec – the only person authorised to speak on the encampment’s behalf – told Observer that “The views expressed on ABC radio are not the views of the encampment.”

“We also do not want to see disciplinary action taken against those students, especially Luke, who has now walked back on those comments.”

The encampment is continuing to demand that ANU commit to divesting from weapons manufacturing and partnerships with academic institutions in Israel.

When asked how they view the comments made on ABC radio, a spokesperson from ANU told Observer, “ANU does not condone any speech that is discriminatory or violates Australian law or our code of conduct. Necessary disciplinary action may be taken if our codes are breached.”

The spokesperson also confirmed that “The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) and ANU Security are in direct communication with a spokesperson for the protesters, in particular about safety for our community, and will continue discussions in the coming days.”

ANU confirmed it will also continue to meet with both police and AUJS leaders over the coming days. 

ANU security and at least 7 AFP officers were also at the scene. Observer also understands that ANU has brought in orange gates with the intention of fencing off parts of the encampment. 

While the fencing is sitting on Uni Avenue, no attempt has been made to erect it. 

When Observer reached out to ACT Policing this afternoon, a spokesperson confirmed that “Police did not identify any criminal behaviour and no arrests or move on orders were made.”

“ACT Policing supports people’s right to protest in a peaceful manner and encourages anyone who is participating in protests to follow the directions of police at those events.”

More to come.