A recent student protest at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has sparked investigations by local police, as tensions rise over the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. Organised by Students for Palestine Singapore, the demonstration drew attention to Palestinian casualties and called for local universities to sever ties with Israeli institutions.
Protest Details
On 13 January 2024, approximately 124 students and alumni participated in the protest, displaying a poignant tribute with 124 pairs of shoes and a white burial shroud laid outside the CREATE research building. This area, significant to the protestors, houses the Singapore-Hebrew University Alliance for Research and Education.
- Organisers aimed to mourn and honour Palestinian students lost in the conflict.
- They have urged universities to divest from Israeli military-linked investments.
- The group also condemned police surveillance of student activism.
Government Response
The police confirmed that a report was lodged regarding the protest, and investigations are ongoing. They issued a reminder that public assemblies in Singapore are regulated under the Public Order Act 2009. Engaging in a public assembly without a police permit is deemed an offence, punishable by fines or imprisonment.
University Standpoint
An NUS spokesperson responded, stating that the act was unauthorised and that a police report had been submitted. The university, while ensuring freedom of expression, must operate within the legal frameworks set by the government.
This protest brings local and international issues to the forefront, prompting discussions about academia’s role in global political matters. As the conflict continues to unfold, the voices of Singaporean students echo with calls for change, revealing the powerful intersection of education, activism, and social responsibility.