Hundreds of protesters against the Israeli war on Gaza gathered in front of one of the most prominent Australian universities on Friday, demanding that it withdraw its investments from companies with ties to Israel.

Pro-Palestinian activists staged a sit-in last week outside the main hall at the University of Sydney, one of Australia's largest higher education institutions.

Protesters announced similar sit-ins at universities in Melbourne, Canberra and other Australian cities.

Unlike what happens in the United States, where police forcefully disperse pro-Palestinian sit-ins at a number of universities, protest sites in Australia were characterized by a peaceful atmosphere with a small police presence.