Students at Oxford and Cambridge universities have established their own pro-Palestine encampments, mirroring similar initiatives on campuses across the United States, Canada, and France.
Organizers of the encampments state that their purpose is to stand in support of Palestinians, with intentions to maintain the camps for an indefinite period.
Reporting from the encampment in Oxford, Al Jazeera’s Rory Challands notes the presence of approximately 50 students, along with provision tents offering refreshments, media facilities, and welcome amenities.
Kendall Gardner, a Jewish-American student protester participating in the Oxford encampment, highlighted one of the key demands of the students: urging the university to divest from all investments and entities associated with or complicit in the Israeli occupation, apartheid, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Additionally, the students are advocating for Oxford University to commit to a Palestinian-led effort to rebuild Gaza’s higher education sector, reflecting their broader objectives for Palestinian rights and autonomy.