Police announced on Thursday (Jan 16) that they have launched an investigation following a student protest held at the National University of Singapore (NUS) concerning the Israel-Hamas war.
According to a statement released by the protest organizers on Monday, a photo displaying about 100 pairs of shoes and a white burial shroud was placed in front of the CREATE research building at NUS. The organizers explained that this display was meant to “mourn and honor” Palestinian students who lost their lives in the conflict.
The student group behind the protest, known as Students For Palestine Singapore, identifies itself as a student-led movement advocating for Singapore to sever academic, economic, and political ties with Israel.
In response to the protest, the police confirmed the receipt of a report and disclosed that investigations are currently underway. They highlighted the legal implications of organizing public assemblies without the necessary permit under the Public Order Act 2009, stating, “The police will not grant any permit for assemblies that advocate political causes of other countries or foreign entities, or may have the potential to stir emotions and lead to public order incidents.”
The protest organizers selected the CREATE research building due to its association with a research alliance with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which the organizers accused of endorsing the violence in Gaza. They also called for an end to all academic partnerships between Singaporean and Israeli universities.
Furthermore, the group urged universities to disengage from any financial investments connected to the Israeli military and cease “police surveillance and intimidation” of student activists.
When approached for comment, an NUS spokesperson addressed the incident, stating, “This is an unauthorised act on our campus property, and a police report has been made.”
