Wave of Pro-Palestinian Protests... Participation from UK's 'Oxbridge' as Well

Anti-war protests continue in the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Students from the prestigious University of Oxford and University of Cambridge in the UK have also begun pro-Palestinian protests. The 'pro-Palestinian protests' that started last month at Columbia University in the United States are spreading to various European universities, including those in Belgium and the Netherlands.

On the 6th (local time), according to major foreign media such as the BBC in the UK, dozens of protest tents began to be set up at the Pitt Rivers Museum at Oxford University and King's College at Cambridge University. Palestinian flags were displayed alongside banners reading "Gaza Solidarity Camp" and "Oxford Alumni Support Students for Palestinian Justice."

The students stated, "We joined the protests to oppose Israel's war in the Gaza Strip, which has so far resulted in the deaths of more than 34,700 Palestinians."

In a joint statement, 'Oxford Action for Palestine' and 'Cambridge for Palestine' pointed out, "Oxbridge (a term combining the two universities) must not build its reputation by profiting while sacrificing Palestinian lives and glorifying Israel's crimes."

On the same day, 'pro-Palestinian protests' continued in Belgium and the Netherlands. About 100 students at Ghent University in Belgium occupied part of the campus. Students at the University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands also urged their schools to suspend cooperation with Israel.

Last week, tent protests began at other universities in London, Manchester, Sheffield, and Newcastle in the UK.

Meanwhile, no police were deployed at the protests occurring at UK universities. This contrasts with the US university campuses, where law enforcement intervened to suppress protests.

Oxford University stated in a press release, "We respect the freedom of expression through peaceful protests by students and staff," and "We ask all participants to show respect and courtesy."

King's College, Cambridge University, said, "We ask our entire community to treat each other with understanding and empathy," and "We will not tolerate anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, or any form of racial or religious hatred."

However, the UK education authorities have called for active responses, including police intervention if necessary. Gillian Keegan, UK Secretary of State for Education, wrote in an article for The Telegraph, "We will not tolerate Jewish students suffering," and emphasized, "If there is evidence of illegal hate speech or support for terrorist organizations such as Hamas, universities must involve the police."