Exclusive: Cambridge’s richest college to divest from weapons manufacturers

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Trinity College Cambridge, one of the wealthiest constituent colleges of the University of Cambridge, has made a significant decision to divest from all arms companies following revelations of investments in companies supporting Israel’s war on Gaza.

In February, Middle East Eye reported that Trinity College had investments in Israel’s largest arms company, Elbit Systems, which produces a majority of the drones and land-based equipment used by the Israeli army. Additionally, the college had millions of dollars invested in other companies profiting from Israel’s military actions.

In response to these findings, the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians issued a legal notice to Trinity College, warning that their investments could potentially make them complicit in Israeli war crimes. The notice highlighted the individual criminal liability of officers, directors, and shareholders at the college if they continued to invest in arms companies involved in such activities.

Following the legal notice, sources close to Trinity’s student union revealed that the college council voted to divest from arms companies in early March. However, the decision was not publicly announced after an activist defaced a portrait of Lord Arthur Balfour, author of the Balfour Declaration, inside the college. The incident garnered widespread media coverage and condemnation from British MPs.

While Trinity College has decided to divest from arms companies, they have not committed to divesting from all companies involved in Israel’s war. The college also has investments in companies like Caterpillar, General Electric, Toyota Corporation, Rolls-Royce, Barclays Bank, and L3Harris Industries.

In a show of solidarity, more than 1,700 Cambridge academics, staff, alumni, and students signed an open letter supporting protesters who set up an encampment demanding divestment from companies complicit in Israel’s actions. Similar protests have been organized at over 100 universities worldwide.

The movement for divestment from companies supporting Israel’s war on Gaza has gained momentum, with Trinity College Dublin announcing its own divestment following student protests. The Prime Minister of the UK, Rishi Sunak, recently summoned university vice-chancellors to discuss protecting Jewish students amidst rising concerns of antisemitism.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in devastating consequences, with thousands killed, displaced, and wounded. The International Court of Justice has described the situation as a plausible genocide, highlighting the urgent need for action to address the humanitarian crisis.

As universities and institutions grapple with their investments and complicity in conflicts around the world, the divestment movement continues to grow, calling for accountability and ethical investment practices. Trinity College’s decision to divest from arms companies marks a significant step towards aligning with principles of social responsibility and human rights.