Australian unions, committees, support sanctions, boycott of 'Israel'
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The global campaign for the boycott of "Israel" has gained momentum across Australia's national unions and educational councils.
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A woman holds a sign as people gather in central Sydney for a rally Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, to support Palestinians in Gaza (AP)
Several national federations, educational councils, and committees in Australia backed a resolution supporting the boycott of “Israel”, divestment from it, and the imposition of sanctions against it, in light of the genocidal crimes its forces continue committing against Palestinians in Gaza.
This includes the National Trade Union Federation of Australia and the National Council of the National Higher Education Union (NTEU NC), which overwhelmingly supported a boycott of Israeli universities, in response to the global campaign to boycott "Israel".
It is worth noting that the National Council consists of more than 100 representatives from approximately 40 branches of the NTEU, whose members amount to at least 27,000.
Likewise, the Federation's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy Committee and its elected officials at the national and popular levels expressed solidarity with Palestine.
Members of the committees and employees of the student camps called for the end of the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip. They opposed the police-backed campaign of repression launched by the university administrations against the right to freedom of expression and assembly in rejection of the Israeli occupation's crimes.
Australian police clash with Gaza war protesters outside weapons expo
Last month, violent clashes erupted between police and hundreds of demonstrators protesting the Israeli genocide in Gaza, disrupting a large defense expo in Melbourne.
“This morning, police were pelted with missiles, including bottles filled with liquid, rocks, and horse manure," a Victoria police spokesperson told ABC News, adding that "Some officers were sprayed with acid and other irritants."
Demonstrators threw bottles, rocks, and horse manure, as well as sprayed the police with liquid irritants, including acid, according to a police statement.
Police pepper-sprayed protesters and used stun grenades and rubber bullets, which are intended to inflict pain without breaking the skin.
At least 24 police officers were injured, with 39 protesters arrested on arson, road blockage, and violent-related charges.
The protest was organized by the Students for Palestine and Disrupt Wars groups, with approximately 1,200 demonstrators surrounding the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre where the Land Forces Expo, Australia's defense industry exposition, was being held.
