The top line: Tensions have escalated at the University of Melbourne’s pro-Palestinian encampment after the arrival of dozens of pro-Israel supporters.
The bigger picture: Protesters from both sides spent more than an hour chanting words of opposition near the encampment’s entrance on Thursday afternoon.
More than 50 people brandishing Israeli flags stood opposite dozens of pro-Palestinian students within the encampment.
Earlier, several hundred pro-Israel supporters gathered at the campus’ University Square, led by Jewish students who said they felt unsafe on campus.
Key quote: “We’ve successfully and peacefully resisted the attempts to antagonise our encampment by other students at the uni.” – Cooper Forsyth, an organiser of the pro-Palestinian encampment.
What else to know: The pro-Palestinian encampment has attracted more than 200 participants.
What happens now: Forsyth said the protesters planned to stay until the university changed its relationship with Israel and weapons manufacturers.
“From the beginning of this movement and this camp, we have been absolutely clear that we reject all forms of hate and discrimination against people on the basis of their religion,” he said.
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