Oxford University students continue protest against Israeli war on Gaza despite police crackdown
Members of the Oxford University student movement against the Israeli war on Gaza remain steadfast in their protest actions despite a recent police crackdown. The students have set up two encampments in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and have a list of demands for the university, including ending investments in and partnerships with companies involved in the conflict.
The tension escalated on Thursday when police detained 17 students from the university’s administrative building after they occupied part of the building and entered the Vice-Chancellor’s office. The university leadership defended the crackdown, accusing the students of violating university laws and regulations.
The students, led by the Oxford Action for Palestine (OA4P), have been demanding a meeting with university representatives for over three weeks, but the administration has refused to engage with them. In response, students staged a sit-in at the administrative office, which led to their arrest by the police.
According to Rowan, a member of OA4P, the police engaged in brutal tactics during the arrest, causing injuries to several students. The students deny the university’s accusations of violent behavior and claim that CCTV footage proves their peaceful entry into the building.
Despite the crackdown, all detained students were released on Thursday night without any official charges. The OA4P members have expressed disappointment in the university’s response and have garnered support from a significant number of students and faculty members.
The crackdown at Oxford University has drawn criticism from Mohamed-Salah Omri, a professor at the university, who described it as unprecedented in the UK. The students’ demands for transparency in the university’s investments have also been met with a response from the university council, which stated that there are no direct or indirect investments in arms companies that are illegal under UK law.
The students have faced attacks on their encampments, including threats of violence and vandalism. Despite these challenges, they remain determined to continue their protest until their demands are met. The crackdown has only strengthened their resolve, with more students and staff joining their cause.
The Oxford University protest is part of a larger movement in the UK and globally calling for divestment from companies involved in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The students’ actions have sparked a debate on campus about the university’s investments and its response to student activism.
As the protest continues, the students are determined to make their voices heard and push for accountability and transparency from their university. The crackdown may have escalated tensions, but it has also galvanized support for the students’ cause and raised important questions about the role of universities in global conflicts.