STUDENTS at the University of Glasgow have staged a sit-in protest amid calls for improved support for Palestinian students.
A small number of students from the Glasgow Against Arms and Fossil Fuels (GAAF) group sat in the university’s management office on Monday afternoon.
Members are calling on the university to offer support for Palestinian students similar to what was provided to Ukrainians in the wake of Russia’s invasion of the country last year.
They are also calling on the institution to end what they describe as “complicity” in Israel’s bombardment of Gaza via investments in the arms trade.
READ MORE: Labour will seek to 'strengthen' Scottish Government's ceasefire call
Earlier this year, an investigation by Demilitarise Education found the university's investments in arms firms had increased from £3.2 million in 2020/21 to £6.8m in 2022/23.
The student group is demanding that the university divest from all arms companies involved in war crimes, and prevent those firms from recruiting on campus.
“All we are asking is that they show the same solidarity to Palestinians that they showed to Ukrainians when they too suffered horrific war crimes by an invading imperialist state,” said Lydia, a 22-year-old studying Edinburgh Literature at the university.
READ MORE: MP Zarah Sultana says Labour are 'institutionally Islamophobic'
Alex, a politics student, added: “Enough is enough. It’s time for the university to match their rhetoric with action and divest immediately from the utterly reprehensible arms industry.”
Students say further support could be given to Palestinians via free tuition and humanitarian scholarships.
They are also calling on the university to build on its relationship with the Islamic University of Gaza and start a twinning program.
During their protest, students held signs reading “end the apartheid” and “end the occupation”.
A spokesperson from the university said: “In a public statement issued to all staff and students on the unfolding events in Israel and Palestine since the horrific attacks on October 7, the university has called for the immediate release of all hostages and a humanitarian ceasefire so that aid can reach those suffering.
“Senior managers are in regular contact with representative groups most affected by the conflict and are happy to meet with others, while continuing to offer care and support to all members of our community.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here