Jewish students and community leaders have called on the University of Melbourne to end the occupation of a campus building by pro-Palestinian protesters that has prompted the cancellation of classes for three consecutive days.camped in the foyer of the Arts West building was not matched by any meaningful action at the Parkville campus, with police saying they still require a formal complaint of trespass be made before they could intervene to remove protesters.
“It is not about the law, it is about the university showing leadership and enforcing their existing policies,” he said. “It is difficult to understand why it is taking so long.” “We want to make sure we have the legal basis to act on this occupation,” he told this masthead. “We also want to make sure we have a plan in place that enables us to end this occupation in ways that protect the safety of our students and staff.”
“We reject the characterisation of these peaceful and urgent student-led protests and encampments by sections of the popular media and politicians as antisemitic,” the letter said. Victorian Liberal Party deputy leader David Southwick, the most senior Jewish member of the state parliament, attended the university to meet with Jewish students and questioned why police hadn’t already been called in.“How long are we going to let this be where students are actually having classes cancelled? Are we going to turn around and say the campus is no-longer open?” he said. “If students don’t feel safe on campus, then I think the police do need to step in.