Organisers of a University of Sydney Pro-Palestinian encampment have rejected an offer from the institution after being invited to join a working group to review its defence research ties.The University of Sydney has invited pro-Palestinian activists to join a working group to review the institution's defence research ties.
The move follows weeks of disruption and accusations of antisemitism against activists camped on university grounds in the aftermath of October 7. Students for Palestine revealed on social media they refused the offer, calling for the severing of all ties with Israel. “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,” they wrote on social media.The list of offers to the protesters was primarily split into “immediate actions” and “comprehensive engagement”, with the latter including review of the university's investments related to “defence and security industries prior to a senate divestment discussion”.