Understanding the Unauthorized Gaza Memorial at NUS

On January 13, 2025, a group of students and alumni from the National University of Singapore (NUS) organized what they called a 'no-person' memorial outside the CREATE building on campus. This symbolic event featured 124 pairs of children's shoes arranged alongside a white burial shroud, representing Palestinian child victims in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, particularly those who were students. The location was deliberate: the CREATE (Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise) facility houses collaborative research programs, including the Singapore-HUJI Alliance for Research and Enterprise (SHARE), a partnership between NUS, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and Israel's Hebrew University of Jerusalem since 2016. Organizers from Students for Palestine Singapore used social media to share photos and a statement urging Singapore's universities to sever academic ties with Israeli institutions amid allegations of complicity in Gaza's humanitarian crisis.

The memorial was peaceful, with no participants physically present during the setup to avoid direct assembly. However, it quickly drew attention, leading to a police report and subsequent investigation. This incident highlights tensions between student activism and Singapore's stringent regulations on public gatherings, especially those touching on foreign political issues.

The Public Order Act: Singapore's Framework for Campus Assemblies

Singapore's Public Order Act 2009 (POA) is central to understanding this case. Section 16 mandates a police permit for any public assembly of more than one person in a public place, defined broadly to include university campuses. Permits are routinely denied for events advocating foreign political causes, such as the Israel-Palestine conflict, to prevent public disorder or emotional incitement. Police have explicitly stated they will not approve assemblies on such topics, as seen in prior Gaza-related rejections since October 2023.

In higher education, this law intersects with university policies. NUS, like NTU and Singapore Management University (SMU), requires students to comply with national laws for any expressive activity that could be deemed a public assembly. Internal guidelines emphasize 'lawful expression' while prohibiting disruptions to campus operations. Past events, including smaller solidarity walks, have faced scrutiny, with some organizers acquitted in court but others warned. The POA's application on campuses underscores Singapore's balance between maintaining harmony in a multi-ethnic society and allowing discourse.

Police Investigation Unfolds: Home Visits and Seizures

Following the January report, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) acted on February 27, 2025, visiting the homes of six individuals aged 21-28—NUS students and alumni—at around 7-8 a.m. Three were interviewed on-site; one requested and received a delay for a February 28 session at Clementi Police Division; the other two attended after notices. Officers seized smartphones, SIM cards, laptops, and clothing (including the shoes and shroud), citing the Criminal Procedure Code 2010, which allows warrantless searches for evidence in ongoing probes.

SPF's March 7 statement clarified: investigations target potential POA violations, but views supporting Palestine are not criminalized if lawful. 'The police take no issue with such calls... but a permit is required,' they emphasized. No arrests were made, and all cooperated. This mirrors standard procedure in assembly cases, where digital evidence is crucial.

Student Perspectives: Claims of Intimidation and Solidarity

The six individuals and supporters labeled the raids 'intimidating' and 'disproportionate.' Complaints included unannounced early-morning entries (3-4 officers per home), privacy breaches (e.g., male officers accessing female spaces without notice), and academic disruption during mid-terms—lost devices meant inaccessible notes and projects. One recounted being denied food until questioning ended and false obstruction threats. Religious sensitivities were raised, with demands for female officers in certain cases unmet.

Instagram accounts like @sgacadboycott and @sgpforpalestine48 amplified grievances, framing it as silencing grief over Gaza's 40,000+ deaths (as of early 2025). On February 28, 32 civil society members rallied outside Clementi station in solidarity. Groups like SDP Young Democrats echoed concerns, questioning resource allocation amid Singapore-Israel ties. Despite backlash, organizers reiterated the memorial's non-violent intent.

NUS Stance and Campus Governance on Activism

NUS has not issued a specific response to the memorial but generally cooperates with authorities on legal matters. University guidelines, aligned with POA, require permits for events beyond internal forums. NUS supports 'diverse viewpoints' through dialogues and panels but draws lines at unauthorized assemblies. Past Gaza solidarity—petitions, forums—has occurred without permits via online or indoor means.

This case tests NUS's navigation of global tensions. With international partnerships like SHARE (focusing on sustainability, health), boycotts challenge research collaborations vital to Singapore's innovation hub status. NUS emphasizes academic freedom within legal bounds, offering channels like student unions for advocacy. For those exploring higher ed career advice, understanding such dynamics is key to campus roles.

Photo by Josh Hild on Unsplash

Gaza Solidarity in Singapore's Higher Education Landscape

Student activism on Palestine has simmered since October 2023, with low-key actions at NUS, NTU, SMU, and Yale-NUS (now NUS College). Examples: Graduation keffiyehs (2024), online petitions for divestment, intra-campus talks. Permits are rarely granted; a 2023 pro-Palestine walk was acquitted in 2025, but most face denial. Statistics are sparse, but police report zero Gaza-related permits approved amid 'risk of disorder.'

Singapore's multi-racial harmony policy prioritizes stability; foreign causes are restricted. Universities host forums on Middle East studies but monitor for escalation. Impacts include heightened vigilance, mental health support for affected students, and debates on campus climate ratings.

Balancing Free Speech and Public Order in Universities

Singapore's higher ed grapples with free expression amid POA constraints. Experts like NUS academics note campuses as 'safe spaces' for debate but not disruption. Comparative: US campuses saw Gaza encampments (2024), but Singapore's model prevents escalation. A 2024 University World News report highlighted narrowing space post-Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act amendments.

Stakeholders advocate hybrid approaches: virtual events, petitions. Solutions include clearer university guidelines, training on legal activism. For aspiring lecturers, lecturer jobs in Singapore demand sensitivity to these norms.

Research Ties and Geopolitical Pressures

CREATE's SHARE program exemplifies Singapore-Israel R&D: $100m+ invested in biomed, environment since 2016. Protests target such alliances, echoing global BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) calls. Singapore maintains balanced diplomacy—aid to Gaza, ties with Israel—prioritizing pragmatism. Universities defend collaborations as apolitical, advancing SDGs.

Impacts: Potential chill on partnerships, but no severances yet. Future: Enhanced transparency, ethics reviews.

Implications and Lessons for Singapore Higher Education

This incident spotlights challenges: student agency vs. regulation, mental health amid global crises, international collaborations. Positive: Sparks dialogue on ethics. Risks: Self-censorship, polarized campuses. Actionable insights: Universities could expand internal forums; students, pursue permits proactively.

Outlook: With Gaza unresolved, expect measured activism. For careers, higher ed jobs emphasize resilience. Explore Singapore academic opportunities.

Navigating Activism: Advice for Students and Faculty

• Legal Compliance: Always apply for permits via police portals; indoor events often exempt.
• Alternatives: Petitions, webinars, op-eds—effective without risks.
• Support Networks: Join unions like NUS Students' Union for guidance.
• Mental Health: Access counseling; global conflicts affect well-being.
• Career Impact: Ethical activism boosts resumes; check higher ed career advice.

Stakeholders urge constructive paths forward.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Conclusion: Fostering Dialogue in Singapore's Campuses

The NUS Gaza memorial underscores Singapore higher education's delicate equilibrium. While police uphold law, students seek voice. Universities like NUS can lead by facilitating ethical discourse. Discover faculty openings at university jobs, rate experiences on Rate My Professor, or seek higher ed jobs. Engage via comments below.