Australian universities are maintaining their support for pro-Palestinian protests on campus, allowing peaceful demonstrations despite concerns about potential escalations. The Group of Eight vice-chancellors recently met with Jewish representative bodies to discuss safety while upholding free speech rights. Unlike in the U.S., where arrests and police violence have occurred in similar protests, Australian campuses such as Monash, Adelaide, and the University of Sydney have hosted peaceful events, including counter-protests, without necessitating police intervention.

In the U.S., universities are preparing for potential disruptions at graduation ceremonies due to ongoing student protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Institutions like the University of Michigan, Indiana University, and Northeastern University at Fenway Park are enhancing security, setting up designated protest zones, and screening attendees. These measures aim to ensure that celebrations focus on students’ achievements while maintaining the right to free expression.

Pro-Palestinian protests have also erupted across various university campuses in Australia and the U.S., voicing opposition to Israel’s actions in Gaza and demanding an end to collaborations with arms manufacturers and academic links with Israel. Despite some clashes in the U.S. and an intense security presence, the Australian protests have remained largely peaceful, and no arrests have been reported.

Law enforcement in the U.S. has arrested over 2,100 individuals as protests intensify, with major incidents reported in cities like New York and Los Angeles. These demonstrations are part of a global wave of campus-led activism that also includes protests in Canada, though the level of police intervention varies significantly by location.