Canberra’s ANU pro-Palestinian protesters are inspirational

I have attended free Palestine demos in Canberra at Civic and ANU. No-one was abusive or masked.

I have watched many protests in the UK, USA and Europe where tens and tens of thousands march peacefully, chanting and drumming and maskless.

The only time there is any abuse or aggression is when the pro-Israeli demonstrators arrive. And many are not students.

The students at Columbia University were peacefully protesting and requesting their university to stop accepting funding from arms manufacturers who make weapons being used to slaughter Palestinians.

The riot police were called in, armed to the teeth, stormed the protest and tackled students to the ground. Then, their wrists bound, they were carted off to jail and released without charge hours later.

At Washington University Dr Jill Stein, 73, was struck by a police bicycle and arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer. She is a Presidential candidate for the Greens.

The student protests at Columbia have continued and have given much solace to the Palestinians. They now know that the world condemns Israel and the Netanyahu leadership.

These students have courage more than most of us. I am Jewish and have always been proud of my religion and its moral basis. The Netanyahu government is immoral. I am ashamed of its inhumane behaviour towards the Palestinians.

Lucille Rogers, Kingston