Students for Palestine are launching the People’s Inquiry into Free Speech on Palestine at Australian Universities in collaboration with other organisations, groups, and prominent individuals around the country, including the Australian Greens and the Australian Palestine Advocacy Network (APAN).
They say that the recent Commision of Inquiry into Antisemitism at Australian Universities led by Senator Sarah Henderson poses a serious threat to the right to advocate for Palestine at Australian universities and the right to free speech more broadly. The tenor of the inquiry was that speech and actions in solidarity with Palestine by staff and students on university campuses should be sanctioned, falsely equating pro-Palestine activism and demands for peace in Gaza with anti-Semitism. The many Jewish students, activists, and academics who have expressed those demands have not been spared from that accusation. 
There is unfortunately no shortage of examples of Palestine-related activism being used to impose broad restrictions on freedom of speech and protest at our universities. To cite a few examples:
· A student at ANU was recently expelled for expressing their political opinion off campus (this was thankfully overturned four months later).
· At the University of Sydney, a new Campus Access Policy was introduced immediately following the Gaza Solidarity Encampment that was established there. This policy has enacted draconian restrictions on political speech and activity, requiring 72 hours’ advance notice for any campus protest and prior approval for basic political activity such as putting up posters or using a megaphone.
· Currently, at RMIT in Melbourne a new policy is being proposed that places restrictions on protests and “protest-related activities” as well as any activity that is perceived to risk “financial or reputational damage” to the university.
Across the country, campus free speech is under serious threat. When powerful institutions decide what criticism of them is permissible, what kind of speech is allowed, then we are starting down a dangerous path.
We know that our universities have been watching what’s happening in America and taking note. The Commission of Inquiry into Anti-Semitism was modelled on similar inquiries in America. We do not want our institutions to follow the example set by America, where thousands of students have been arrested, suspended, and expelled for participating in peaceful protests. This October came the news that tenured academic Prof. Maura Finkelstein was fired for sharing a statement from Palestinian-American poet Remi Kanazi on her personal Instagram profile.
The suppression of free speech on our campuses will not only impact students and staff but the broader community. When our institutions are subservient to the needs of the powerful, then all of us will be the worse for it.
This people’s inquiry is intended to mount a public response to these attempts to stifle free speech and slander peace activists. We have taken inspiration from the Russell Tribunal of 1966, which brought together academics, public figures, activists, and community leaders at the height of the Vietnam War to publicly inquire into allegations of US war crimes in that country.
Submissions will be open to the public, and we will organise public hearings presided over by a hearing panel for submissions and testimonies. After this, the panel will assess submissions, and produce a report.
We're reaching out because of the involvement of IPAN with the Palestine movement, including support of student encampments. In particular, we are looking for submissions for the enquiry, to be made by email to [email protected]. We would value your contribution as long term activists who have seen firsthand the manner in which Palestine activists have been treated by university administrations. We are currently in the opening stages, with more details soon, but would appreciate submissions before the end of January.
Thank you for your consideration,
Carter, on behalf of Students for Palestine Australia--
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