Achi news desk-
They are protesting outside the university’s Old College for an end to the conflict between Israel and Hamas saying they refuse to be taught by a university which “directly contributed to the colonization of Palestine through its close links with the Lord Arthur Balfour”.
Lord Balfour was a former British prime minister who, in 1917, stated in the Balfour Declaration that the UK Government supported the “establishment” of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine.
Professor Sir Peter Mathieson, the university’s principal and vice-chancellor, said he supported the students’ right to protest and fully recognized the “strength of feeling you have shown with your actions”.
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In a statement published on the university’s website, he thanked the group for leading a peaceful protest and for not creating an obstacle for staff and other students.
He added: “Our main concern has always been, and always will be, the safety, security and well-being of all members of our university community.
“There will be people with very different views to yours: they too are welcome to express them in peaceful and legal ways.
“A university should be a place where the most sensitive, timely and complex issues can be discussed openly in an atmosphere of respect and safety.
“We have been informed very recently of the intention of an unknown number of students to start a hunger strike as a sign of their strength of feeling and determination regarding matters relating to Palestine and Israel.
“Although we recognize their physical independence, we appeal to them and others not to risk their own health, safety and well-being.
“Make yourself known to us anytime we can refer you to help.
“We are in daily contact with the protesters to ensure they are aware of the health and wellbeing support available to them.”
In Aberdeen, students have led similar protests this week, calling for a ceasefire.
It comes as part of a wider number of student protests across the UK over the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Students from more than a dozen UK universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, are taking similar action.
READ MORE: Gaza priest says Palestinians living in ‘hell’ as he pleads for ceasefire
The university’s vice-chancellors have been invited to a meeting at Number 10 Downing Street on Thursday, where Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan will discuss anti-semitism on campuses and ensuring the safety of Jewish students.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said on Tuesday: “The right to freedom of speech does not include the right to harass people or incite violence.
“We expect university leaders to take firm action in dealing with that type of behavior and that will be the topic of conversation at No 10 later this week to ensure that a zero tolerance approach to this type of behavior is adopted on every campus.”
More than 100 people attended a demonstration outside King’s College, Cambridge, on Tuesday – where a protester with a megaphone next to the camp led a chant of “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”.
The Office for Students, England’s higher education watchdog, said that while it supports freedom of speech it cannot tolerate discrimination.
Arif Ahmed, its freedom of speech director, said: “Universities should uphold free speech within the law for all.
“But this does not, and cannot, include discrimination against, or harassment of, Jewish students, or any other behavior prohibited by law. Peaceful protest itself is a legitimate expression of free speech.
“We expect universities and colleges to make provision for the legitimate expression of the greatest possible range of ideas and opinions, even those that some may find highly offensive.
“While universities and colleges should not seek to prevent the legitimate expression of any idea or point of view, we recognize that in order to manage their affairs effectively and safely, they may have to control the time, place and manner of expression, where there are compelling reasons to do that. do that.”
A University of Aberdeen spokesman said its vice-chancellor would not be attending the Downing Street meeting.
They added: “The university respects and supports the right to protest peacefully and legally.
“Our campus should be a safe place for everyone and we are clear that any incidents of harassment or discrimination will not be tolerated.”
EUJPS has been contacted for comment.
