UK: Cambridge University academics and staff support Gaza student protest camp

More than 1,700 staff, alumni, and students from the University of Cambridge have shown their support for protesters who set up a protest encampment demanding an end to the university’s potential complicity in Israel’s war on Gaza. The protest, which began earlier this week outside King’s College, saw around a hundred students erecting tents and calling for divestment from companies involved in the conflict.

The organizers of the encampment are demanding transparency from Cambridge University regarding its relationships with companies and institutions complicit in the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestine. They are urging the university to sever all such ties, support Palestinian students and academics, and uphold academic freedom.

In a show of solidarity, a group of Cambridge academics penned an open letter expressing support for the protesting students. They praised the students for following in the footsteps of past movements against injustices such as South African apartheid and the Vietnam War. The academics emphasized the importance of free expression and protest, especially in times of crisis where human rights and democratic principles are under threat.

The encampment at Cambridge also includes a student group called Cambridge Jews for Palestine, highlighting the diverse range of voices participating in the protest. A Jewish student leading a tour of the encampment emphasized the moral duty to speak out against the atrocities being committed in the name of their religion.

While the university affirmed its commitment to academic freedom and freedom of speech, it also emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards antisemitism, Islamophobia, and any form of racial or religious hatred. This statement comes in the wake of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s call for university leaders to take personal responsibility for protecting Jewish students.

Earlier reports revealed that Trinity, the wealthiest college at the University of Cambridge, had investments in companies linked to Israel’s military operations. This sparked concerns about potential complicity in war crimes, leading to legal notices being issued to the college. The ongoing protests at Cambridge reflect a broader global movement calling for accountability and ethical investment practices in higher education institutions.

The situation in Gaza remains dire, with thousands of Palestinians killed, displaced, and wounded as a result of the conflict. The International Court of Justice has raised concerns about possible genocide, highlighting the urgent need for action to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.

As the protest at Cambridge continues to gain momentum, it serves as a powerful reminder of the role universities play in shaping ethical and responsible practices. The voices of students, staff, and alumni coming together to demand accountability and justice demonstrate the power of collective action in addressing global injustices.