Melbourne, Australia – In the early hours of this morning, students at the Monash University encampment for Gaza were rudely awakened by a group of far-right individuals who invaded their camp. The group, draped in Australian and Israeli flags, caused destruction to parts of the camp and even went as far as shaking the tents of sleeping students, creating a sense of fear and intimidation among the young protesters.
Prior to this violent incident, the student protesters had already faced multiple attempts of intimidation by pro-Israel supporters as they were setting up their camp. One of the perpetrators claimed to be a member of the Israeli Army, while others wore colored wigs and aggressively confronted students with inappropriate questions.
The attack, which included blaring offensive music and chants, sparked outrage among the students. Madeline Curcovic, a Queer Officer at the Monash Student Association, expressed her shock at the invasion, stating that the attackers were shouting derogatory remarks about the Palestinians and labeling the protesters as terrorist sympathizers.
One of the chants played during the attack was an Israeli anthem known for its controversial and aggressive lyrics inciting violence against Palestinians. Despite the presence of campus security during the incident, they failed to intervene and protect the students or their camp from being damaged.
In the aftermath of the attack, students decided to call the police for assistance. However, even the police response was disappointing, with officers displaying racist attitudes and neglecting to take appropriate action against the perpetrators. The lack of support from both campus security and law enforcement left the students feeling vulnerable and unprotected.
Despite facing adversity, the students have shown resilience and determination to continue their protest for Gaza. They have planned a protest to reaffirm their commitment to the cause and are calling on others to join them in solidarity. The students remain steadfast in their support for Palestine and are determined to stand up against intimidation and violence.
In a show of unity, students and staff unions are being called upon to join the movement in support of justice and equality. The students are hopeful that the community will rally behind them in their efforts to rebuild the camp and continue advocating for the people of Gaza.