Palestine protesters derail Penny Wong speech at the University of Tasmania

Pro Palestine protesters have repeatedly interrupted a university lecture from Foreign Minister Penny Wong, forcing the minister to leave the stage.

The moment unfolded during Ms Wong’s Sir James Plimsoll Lecture at the University of Tasmania on Tuesday night, where she was scheduled to talk about international relations, policymaking and the strategic issues facing Australia’s foreign policy.

But protesters yelled at Ms Wong and interrupted the address at multiple occasions.

They criticised government policy on the Israel-Gaza conflagration and called on her to sanction the Jewish state, according to the ABC.

A university official tried to settle the protesters but the interjections continued and Wong grew frustrated as she tried to continue her speech.

“Part of what I’m doing in this speech, to anybody else who wishes to speak but not listen, is actually try to lay out some of what we are doing in relation to what is happening in Gaza and what we are doing in relation to Lebanon,” she said.

“So, it’s disappointing that people don’t actually want to hear some of the facts about what the government is seeking to do in this situation.”

The heckers were told to leave the venue, however, the comments coninuted.

“Our friends and family are in a total state of utter fear,” one audience member said.

“Please listen to the people who give you the power to do your job – that’s what you are, you are our representative,” another said.

Ms Wong fired back.

“Do you want to hear what I have to say? Or do you want to just shout at me?” she asked.

Protesters also stood outside the venue holding signs criticising ms Wong.

Relentless pro Palestine protests have erupted across Australia following the Hamas terror attack on the Jewish state on October 7, 2023.

The Israel-Gaza war has escalated over the year and has now widened to include parts of Lebanon as the Israeli moves against Shia terror group Hezbollah.

Israel’s campaign, though directed at Hamas and Hezbollah, has resulted in thousands of Palestinian civilian deaths.

Universities have become centres of pro-Palestine activism in recent months, with activist students creating pro-Palestine encampments at multiple universities.

The University of Tasmania has been contacted for comment.