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On the 21st of August 2024, Macquarie Students for Palestine held another demonstration in Central Courtyard “END THE GENOCIDE IN GAZA”. The protest again targeted Macquarie University’s ties to Israeli-linked corporations, focusing on their links to Lockheed Martin and Google AI.
The protest started in Central Courtyard before a march down to Vice-Chancellor Professor Bruce Downton’s office.
Most notably speaking was Associate Professor Dr Jumana Bayeh, who challenged the University’s leadership and their “inconsistencies in the application of the virtues of western civilisation that they supposedly admire.”
“Our university leaderships through their investment choices are not simply complicit in helping perpetuate this genocidal war, but also amplifying for us their disconnect in what they say our teaching mission is […] having that disconnect thrown in your face, pointed out by pesky students and some staff, must really sting,” she said.
“Despite what some are saying or doing to discourage you, you are all on the right side of history. This is our Vietnam moment in this century.”
She spoke out not only as an academic, but as an Arab woman in joint solidarity with Dr Randa-Abdel Fattah, another Macquarie academic who spoke at the last protest [0].
“And I would add that the university has had to contend with the likes of myself and Dr Randa Abdel Fattah, two Arab women, who come with the power and energy of our brave ancestors.”
Along with Dr Jumana, three other student speakers addressed protestors. They spoke on the turmoil and loss of life in Palestine due to the violence under Israeli occupation and urged students to continue raising their voices.
According to Grapeshot’s interview with Macquarie Students for Palestine, there has been no updates with regards to the University’s “neutral” stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, which has injured over 72,000[2] Palestinians according to March’s UN numbers, and has killed 40,000[1] Palestinians as of August.
In May this year, the University had sent out an email to students and staff stating that “As an institution, Macquarie has a commitment to viewpoint neutrality and holding space within our community for differing opinions on contentious societal or political issues.”
Macquarie Students for Palestine expressed their disagreement on Lockheed Martin's partnership with Macquarie University. Lockheed Martin Israel is publicly tied to the violence in Gaza, stating on its website that “Lockheed Martin is proud of the significant role it has fulfilled in the security of the State of Israel”.[3]
Students also protested Google's ties with Macquarie University’s Quantum Lab, a partnership that will aim to produce improved AI programs. A contract worth $1.2B US Dollars between Google and Israel, titled Project Nimbus, will supply the Israeli government with Google Cloud AI technology including “AI capabilities such as face detection, object tracking, sentiment analysis, and other complex tasks”. [4]
Google’s Vice President of Global Security Chris Rackow commented on staff protests at Google: “If you’re one of the few who are tempted to think we’re going to overlook conduct that violates our policies, think again”. [5]
Google has fired over 50 workers who opposed this contract. [6]
Grapeshot spoke with Aaron, an organiser at Macquarie Students for Palestine.
See our full interview with Aaron here: https://www.instagram.com/p/C-7xkd1JMJF/?hl=en
ENDNOTES
[1] Grapeshot. “Macquarie Students for Palestine’s ‘Stop the Genocide’ Protest.” Grapeshot Magazine, Grapeshot Magazine, 22 May 2024, www.grapeshotmq.com.au/post/macquarie-students-for-palestine-s-stop-the-genocide-protest. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.
[2] United Nations. “HOSTILITIES in the GAZA STRIP and ISRAEL - REPORTED HUMANITARIAN IMPACT .” Https://Www.un.org/Unispal/Wp-Content/Uploads/2024/03/Gaza_casualties_info-Graphic_12_March_2024.Pdf, 12 Mar. 2024. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.
[3] Turk, Volker. “ 40,000 Palestinian Lives Lost in Gaza: UN Human Rights Chief Pleads for End to Fighting Stating That 130 People Have Been Killed Every Day in Gaza over the Past 10 Months.” United Nations, 15 Aug. 2024, www.un.org/unispal/document/gaza-40000deaths-turk-ohchr-15aug24/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.
[4] Lockheed Martin. “Lockheed Martin Israel.” Lockheed Martin, 2024, www.lockheedmartin.com/en-il/index.html. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.
[5] Haskins, Caroline. “The Hidden Ties between Google and Amazon’s Project Nimbus and Israel’s Military.” WIRED, WIRED, 15 July 2024, www.wired.com/story/amazon-google-project-nimbus-israel-idf/. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.
[6] Field, Hayden. “Google Terminates 28 Employees after Multicity Protests: Read the Full Memo.” CNBC, 18 Apr. 2024, www.cnbc.com/2024/04/18/google-terminates-28-employees-after-series-of-protests-read-the-memo.html. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.
[7] Associated Press. “Google Fires 20 More Workers Who Protested Its AI and Cloud Computing Deal with Israel.” Fast Company, 23 Apr. 2024, www.fastcompany.com/91111444/google-fires-more-workers-protest-israel-government-deal-gaza-war. Accessed 28 Aug. 2024.
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