Student activists set up encampment in protest against university ties to Israel

• Protestors call for the university to cut financial ties with Israel and "will maintain encampment until demands have been met".

Student Activists have set up an encampment on Newcastle University's campus to protest against university ties with businesses and universities connected to Israel.

Organised by Newcastle Apartheid Campus, the demonstration has occupied the grassland opposite the university's Students Union since May 1, 2024.

The students, joined by UCU and local charities, have set up a ‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment’ and displayed many posters and signs reading 'Aid to Genocide' is not a career path', 'Free Palestine', and 'Leonardo off campus'.

In a statement published on social media, the protestor group named Newcastle Apartheid of Campus said: 

"We are outraged about our university's ties with weapons manufacturers like Leonardo and Rafael who supply the IDFs occupation, and are proud to show our solidarity with the people of Palestine".

Displayed outside the encampment and on social media, the students listed their demands, stating Disclosure, Divestment, Protection, Pledge, Call and Commitment.

The students requested the protection of students and staff who take part in the protests which includes no disciplinary action or academic repercussions involved in [their] action.

The encampment follows attempts made previously by students to raise concerns with the Executive Board over the university connections with the Leonardo S.P.A.

The Italian defence contractor develops targeting and radar systems located on the Newcastle University Helix campus, and Pearson Engineering, a company owned by the Israeli government's Rafael Dynamic Defence Company were invited to careers and post-graduation fairs according to students.

A Rafael off-campus member has said:

"This should be a place of learning not a place where weapons are researched and produced which kill human beings. That is not development, that is not research that is complicity with genocide. Leonardo should be off campus".

A statement issued by the Newcastle University Executive Board in a weekly newsletter following daily protests outside Kings Gate said:

"The University has been supportive of this right to peaceful protest and lawful freedom of speech and we are committed to this, but it is essential our campus remains a safe space for all...

The student protestors have been previously reminded of our guidance that enables them to exercise their right to protest in a way that respects our University and our community".

This is the second statement released by the university following one in February 2024 that was published in Newcastle University's student newspaper The Courier.

"We have no current research with Leonardo".

A student protestor said they were disappointed that their peaceful demonstrations have been twisted to make it seem they had a hand in preventing student welfare appointments. The police did not involve themselves and did not believe the protest was in danger of escalating.

Other encampments have been set up at Universities in Cambridge, Oxford, Manchester and Sheffield. These encampments and demonstrations mirror the action and activism seen across the U.S.

The protests on several American campuses have attracted national and international attention and inspired similar action globally calling for universities to cut ties with Israel investments.

The protests at Columbia University have also witnessed violent police action with protesting students and academics being arrested and beaten by armed police during calls for ceasefires.