Trinity College Students Establish Pro-Palestinian Camp in Ireland

Students at Trinity College Dublin have taken a stand against Israel’s war in Gaza by setting up an encampment on campus, leading to restricted access and the closure of the Book of Kells exhibition, a popular tourist attraction in Ireland.

The protest was sparked after the university fined the students’ union 214,000 euros for financial losses incurred during recent protests, not limited to those related to the war in Gaza. Students’ union President Laszlo Molnarfia shared a photo of benches blocking the entrance to the Book of Kells building on social media, announcing the indefinite closure of the exhibition.

In solidarity with similar movements on U.S. campuses, the Trinity College protesters are demanding the university sever ties with Israeli institutions and divest from companies linked to Israel. The university has restricted campus access to students, staff, and residents for safety reasons.

The head of Trinity College, Linda Doyle, stated that the university is reviewing its investments in companies and that decisions regarding collaboration with Israeli institutions are up to individual academics. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 34,600 Palestinians, with Hamas militants initiating the war by attacking Israel.

Ireland, known for championing Palestinian rights, is set to formally recognize Palestine as a state. The protest at Trinity College reflects a growing global movement against Israel’s actions in Gaza, with similar demonstrations taking place in Australia and Canada.