University of Melbourne ‘sharply’ changed protest policies after pro-Palestine sit-ins, commission hears

The University of Melbourne’s interim vice-chancellor told the royal commission into antisemitism that pro-Palestine sit-ins on campus led to the institution ‘quite sharply’ changing its response to protests. Photograph: EQRoy/Alamy View image in fullscreen The University of Melbourne’s interim vice-chancellor told the royal commission into antisemitism that pro-Palestine sit-ins on campus led to the institution ‘quite sharply’ changing its response to protests. Photograph: EQRoy/Alamy University of Melbourne ‘sharply’ changed protest policies after pro-Palestine sit-ins, commission hears Royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion hears of response of universities to incidents on campus Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The interim vice-chancellor of the University of Melbourne (UoM) says pro-Palestine sit-ins on campus led to the institution “quite sharply” changing its protest policies and that further restrictions could arise. Prof Glyn Davis appeared before the royal commission into antisemitism and social cohesion on Wednesday, which is examining the lived experiences of Jewish students and academics, including the response of universities. Davis was asked whether he agreed that a pro-Palestine encampment established in 2024, which called for the UoM to cut ties with Israel and weapons companies, created “fear and unsafety” among staff and students. Jewish professor feared ‘terrorist attack’ when protesters occupied office, antisemitism royal commission hears Read more He said he did, and there were “regular discussions” about the camp with Victoria police, who maintained unless a law was broken they would not intervene. “The encampment on the South Lawn, it was judged, did not override any of those concerns and therefore the university would not seek action against the encampment,” he said. “That came at the end of a profound policy discussion.” Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email Davis said the university’s aim “at every point” was to end the protests without violence. “We had all seen what happened in the United States and in other places where these things had gone terribly wrong,” he said. “Nobody wants a confrontation.” Davis confirmed misconduct including “heckling and harassment” occurred during the encampment but the incidents were “not claimed to be antisemitic” and didn’t breach the UoM’s racism policy. He said the situation escalated after a sit-in at the UoM’s Arts West building in May 2024 and the occupation of Jewish physics professor Steven Prawer’s office months later in October. On Tuesday, the commissioner heard from Prawer, who said the university needed to show it didn’t “tolerate misbehaviour” after the expulsion of two students who were part of an occupation of his office was overturned. Prawer also said the identity of his protesters should be revealed for his “protection”. Davis said the atmosphere on campus “chang