Melbourne, Australia – Students at Monash University in Melbourne were subjected to a terrifying attack in the early hours of the morning when a group of middle-aged men, displaying Australian and Israeli flags, violently invaded their camp for Gaza. The incident, following multiple intimidation attempts by pro-Israel supporters during the camp setup, left the young protesters shaken and the camp’s infrastructure damaged.
During the invasion, the intruders, one claiming to be a member of the Israeli Army, harassed the students, with some even wearing colored wigs and aggressively questioning their genders. Madeline Curcovic, a Queer Officer at the Monash Student Association who was present during the attack, recounted the chaos and hateful rhetoric shouted by the intruders around the sleeping students’ tents.
A disturbing element of the attack was the blaring of an Israeli far-right anthem titled “It’s on us,” celebrating violence against Palestinians. The incident also shed light on the inadequate response of campus security, who failed to prevent the destruction of the camp kitchen and marquee or offer immediate assistance to the victims.
Faced with the inaction of the university, students eventually called the police, only to encounter disappointing and prejudiced responses. The authorities, quick to dismiss the incident due to lack of evidence, failed to hold the perpetrators accountable or ensure the safety of the students who were targeted.
Despite the trauma of the attack, the students remain resilient and committed to their cause. The assault has only strengthened their resolve, with many expressing defiance against attempts to intimidate them into silence. Plans for a protest to reaffirm their dedication to advocating for Palestine have been set in motion, with hopes of uniting more supporters in solidarity.
The students are calling for support from various groups, including student and staff unions, to join them in their fight for justice and peaceful protest. The incident has highlighted the need for solidarity and collective action to combat intimidation and violence aimed at silencing voices of dissent and support for oppressed communities.
Support for the impacted students and the rebuild of the camp is welcomed, with donations and supplies being encouraged to help restore the camp and continue their advocacy efforts. The resilient spirit of the students shines through as they mobilize to stand together and demonstrate that they will not be deterred by acts of aggression and hate.