The Australian National University has expelled a student for saying Hamas deserved “unconditional support” during a radio interview, making ANU the country’s first campus to take such drastic action against a pro-Palestine activist since the war in Gaza broke out in October.
Guardian Australia understands Beatrice Tucker, a member of the university’s pro-Palestine encampment, has been banned from entering campus or continuing their studies for breaching ANU’s code of conduct and student discipline rule.
Tucker was previously suspended from ANU last month pending disciplinary action after their appearance on the ABC. Seven other students were separately sent letters requesting they leave an ongoing pro-Palestine encampment and warned of disciplinary action.
Speaking on ABC Radio Canberra on 30 April, Tucker, a member of Students and Staff Against War ANU (SSAW), was asked what message they would send to Hamas.
“This is a very common question the media often throws at pro-Palestine activists,” they replied.
“It’s seen as a bit of a scapegoat … it’s a distraction from the issue at hand, which is actually there’s a genocide going on.
“Hamas deserve our unconditional support. Not because I agree with their strategy – complete disagreement with that – but the situation at hand is if you have no hope … nothing can justify what has been happening to the Palestinian people for 75 years.”
A spokesperson for ANU said it didn’t comment on specific disciplinary matters however it had “a number of disciplinary inquiries currently under way for alleged behaviour or speech that contravenes our values as a community, and which go against our codes of conduct”.
“ANU takes these matters seriously and provides procedural fairness and support for all students,” they said.
“If our codes of conduct, student discipline rule or values as a community are found to have been breached, appropriate action will be taken by ANU.”
The spokesperson said the university was a place of “respectful debate” and upheld “core values including safety and wellbeing, inclusion and accountability”.
“All staff and students are free to express themselves and protest in line with the University’s Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech policies,” they said.
“With these rights come responsibilities. Student responsibilities are clearly outlined in the Student Code of Conduct and the Discipline Rule.”
The student code outlines students must respect “differing personal viewpoints, including cultural or religious perspectives” and not act in a way that “is discriminatory, harassing … bullying, or engage in any form of interpersonal, psychological, sexual or physical violence”.
In response to Tucker’s expulsion, Finnian Colwell, a member of SSAW, said ANU had taken an “unprecedented and dangerous step in smothering free speech on campus”. He said legal options for appeal were being considered.
“The ANU would rather punish students for repeating what they have learnt in its international law courses, that armed resistance is a legal human right for oppressed nationalities, than divest from over $1m invested in eight arms companies with links to Israel,” he said.
“The International Court of Justice has said there is a plausible case Israel is committing genocide, and ordered Israel to stop bombing Rafah. ANU … must drop all disciplinary action against students and cut its Northrop Grumman internship, end its exchange programme with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and end all links with the Australian Signals Directorate, which helps run Pine Gap.”
The group said that after Tucker’s comments the student was targeted by some media outlets and “Zionist organisations” that the group said launched a campaign to have them expelled and accused them of supporting terrorism.
An open letter from SSAW to the ANU vice-chancellor, Genevieve Bell, which demanded the disciplinary proceedings against Tucker and another student be dropped, had received more than 500 signatures as of 1pm on Thursday, including from 50 staff.
Students for Palestine Canberra said while it didn’t support Tucker’s comments on ABC radio, their expulsion set a “terrible precedent” for freedom of speech and pro-Palestine activism on university campuses.
“We will continue to protest for Palestine while our universities remain complicit in Israel’s genocide in Gaza,” it said in a statement, adding a protest would be held on Friday outside the ANU’s Chancellery.
Tucker has been approached for comment.
• This story was amended on 6 June 2024 to make clear that Beatrice Tucker was a member of the Gaza solidarity encampment at ANU. An earlier version said Tucker was an organiser.
