The ‘Liberated Zone’ at SOAS

STUDENTS have set up protest camps at two universities in Bloomsbury mirroring the US campus demonstrations over bombing in Gaza.

Organisers of the encampment at SOAS said they wanted the university to disclose all details of its investments in companies which had supported Israel in the conflict – and these deposits to be cancelled.

Thousands of people have died in Israel’s response to the October 7 attacks by Hamas. Israel has said that hostages must be released and it cannot let Hamas “re-arm” and plan another attack but has faced protests around the world over the extent of its response.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said this week he was “deeply concerned” about a potential ground incursion in Rafah after civilians were told to leave the area.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer said an Israeli offensive must not go ahead. Some 2,200 miles away, SOAS students said they would remain resolute after three days in tents.

First year student Haya said yesterday (Wednesday): “We legally have the right to protest wherever we want as students and this campus is as much ours as it is the professors’, management and administration.”

The students and activists have been running talks and events at the encampment and yesterday saw Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn visit.

He said: “I think this encampment shows the solidarity of students in SOAS and in other universities with the people of Gaza. I think they are going to have to look at the student body, look at this wonderful peaceful student demonstration and look at the public opinion in Britain which is overwhelmingly in favour of a full, permanent and immediate ceasefire.”

Jeremy Corbyn visited the demonstrators at SOAS on Wednesday

Several other universities have seen similar camps following protests in the United States. New York’s Columbia University annual graduation ceremony was cancelled this month after weeks of tent protests.

A statement from SOAS said: “Our position as a university has always been that protest and dissent can take place at SOAS as long as it remains peaceful and does not undermine the safety and security of all within our community.

“We have written to our students, staff and communicated with protesters to make clear that these principles will govern our approach to the encampment.”

It added: “SOAS as a university community is appalled by the loss of human life in the Israel-Gaza war and the destruction of higher education in Gaza. Reflecting our community’s mission to contribute to a better world, SOAS’s ethical investment policy instructs our investment managers not to invest in the arms trade, companies which breach human rights or benefit from war, or the tobacco and fossil fuel industries. We are committed to divesting from any company that breaks the principles set out in the policy.

“We are mindful that SOAS is a home to people who hold many different perspectives. Some members of our community will agree with protests that take place on campus, while others will disagree and have serious concerns about the presence of a protest. We have a duty to every single SOAS community member to ensure that we are all able to come on campus to study, to teach, to take exams, to meet with friends and colleagues, and that the normal running of the university is maintained at all times.”

UCL students are in their seventh day of encampment in support of Palestine.