An Australian academic and activist has been mocked on social media after posting a photo of fellow university workers at a pro-Palestinian protest.
Nick Reimer, a “linguistics academic” and the president of the University of Sydney union for higher education staff, the NTEU, shared a photo of members supporting the “Gaza solidarity encampment” on Friday.
“Our members know that Palestine justice is union business,” he wrote in the caption of the image, which showed university staff, one in a wheelchair, one with a rainbow “pride” umbrella, holding up their fists, waving Palestinian flags, and wearing “free Palestine” T-shirts.
One person was spotted holding a sign saying “Abolish Australia”, and several wore Palestinian scarves. One even wore a Covid mask.
But social media users were quick to point out that the homosexual symbology would not go down well in the Middle East.
“Try taking your rainbow flags and umbrellas to ‘Palestine’,” an X user commented, while others shared photoshopped images of homosexuals being thrown off buildings by Hamas fighters, and actual photos of ISIS fighters doing the same.
“The Pride flag will go down really well in Gaza,” said another, while a third simply wrote “Chickens for KFC”.
Another X user wrote: “Ever wondered what the bottom of Australia’s gene pool looks like? You can stop wondering.”
Mr Reimer later made a speech at the protest, where he accused the university Vice-Chancellor of “trying to play both sides” by allowing both the Gaza encampment and pro-Israel/Zionist protests.
Just last week Iraq criminalised homosexuality and transgenderism in a effort to prevent “moral depravity”, imposing jail terms of up to 15 years for same-sex relationships, and three years for undergoing or performing “sex change” procedures.
So many @NTEUnion @Sydney_Uni members out to supportthe Gaza solidarity encampment this morning. Many more not in the photo. Our members know that Palestine justice is union business. pic.twitter.com/Zx1lgMBLO5
— Nick Riemer (@NickRiemer1) May 3, 2024
