(Student protestors holding a banner and Palestinian flag, image by Eleanor Cooper, 2025)
On the 26th of March 2025, at approximately 1:00 PM, the WSU 4 Palestine Collective protested Western Sydney University’s ties with Sqye Medical after an announcement was made about its agreement with the Israeli Ministry of Defence, in the Australian Associated Press.
The Australian Associated Press reported on 15 February 2023 that Syqe Medical was “pleased to announce the signing of an agreement with the Israeli Ministry of Defence”, supplying SyqeAir Inhalers and Cartridges to IDF veterans.
WSU 4 Palestine posted a screenshot on the 27th March 2025 to their Instagram (@wsu4palestine) of the consent form used by Western’s NICM Health Research Institute. The form shows Syqe Medical Ltd is the global sponsor.
WSU 4 Palestine included its email response to the partnership in the same post. Addressed to Western’s Vice-Chancellor George Williams, the email condemns the University’s collaboration with Syqe:
“We reiterate in the strongest terms our demand that you immediately cease WSU’s paid research for Israeli company Syqe.”
This came after Williams claimed in the same email-chain,
“I can confirm that WSU’s NICM Health Institute does not have a partnership with Syqe. The petition is also incorrect because WSU does not have a research agreement with that firm. It would be good please if you can correct this.”
(Screenshot from the Collective’s Instagram post of Williams’ response, 2025)
How could the formal documents of the research program contradict Williams’ email? Why is he consistently denying these claims?
The protest took place between buildings EA and EB at Western’s Parramatta South campus. Student and W’SUP News editor Eleanor Cooper witnessed protestors chanting “Western Sydney, you can’t hide, you’re supporting genocide!”
Onlookers shouted “SHAME!” in response to the University’s ties with the Israeli Ministry of Defence.
Demonstrators first protested in Westmead at the NICM Research Institute on 17th March 2025 before the rally at the Parramatta South campus on the 26th March.
Recently, WSU 4 Palestine Collective updated the number of signatures on the petition urging the University to cut ties with Syqe, reporting that it has surpassed 600 signatories.
The Collective mentioned that Western students can help to strengthen the campaign. Students are encouraged to share the petition to reach 1000 signatures, message the page to volunteer to distribute posters and leaflets and inform the Collective of timetables to align with in-class announcements.
