
Non-students in pro-Palestinian camps ‘likely to have extended protests'
The presence of 'external individuals' in pro-Palestinian encampments on university campuses is likely to have helped the protests last longer, a report has suggested.
Universities could not take disciplinary action against individuals who joined campus encampments – which took place across the UK in spring and summer last year – if they were not students or staff, according to the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) paper.
The camps made many Jewish students 'fearful' for their safety and the protests may have encouraged students to engage in antisemitic behaviour, the think tank's report said.
The Office for Students (OfS), England's higher education regulator, 'missed an opportunity' to help institutions, and the Government put them in an 'awkward position' over the topic, it found.
The paper – which is based on interviews with student protesters, senior university leaders, students' union officers and Jewish students – concluded: 'It is very likely that the involvement of external individuals helped encampments continue for longer and campaign more energetically.
Now a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been signed, it is a good time for universities to reflect on this fraught period of student activism
Josh Freeman, author of the Hepi report
'They provided supplies and food, occupied tents overnight so students could return to their accommodation and participated in activities.
'They also boosted morale by giving students the energising sense they were having a positive impact.'
Some students said members of the local community also helped by 'adding numbers to encampment-organised protests'.
Students who took part in the protests were motivated by 'feelings of anger and powerlessness' about the war in Gaza and they felt genocide was being 'live-streamed' to their phones via social media, the report said.
It added: 'Students used social media to build support for the cause by making a seemingly distant conflict seem personal for students and staff.
'The most widely shared posts attacked institutions and senior staff directly for their alleged complicity in genocide or mistreatment of protesters.'
But the report – which looked at the encampment protests at 36 universities across the UK last academic year – suggested that students were also motivated to join due to 'wider grievances'.
It said: 'They felt that institutions were not taking seriously their concerns around Islamophobia, tuition fees, staff pay and pensions, mental health or the freedom to protest.'
The paper said there was a consensus that the OfS 'failed to help institutions deal with contested free speech like the 'river to the sea' chant'.
It added that some members of encampments engaged in antisemitic behaviour – including writing antisemitic slogans in Arabic.
'The presence of encampments may also have emboldened other students not involved in the protests to engage in antisemitic behaviour,' the report suggested.
If similar protests take place again, the think tank called on universities to take steps to prevent external individuals from joining encampments, and they should establish robust communication with Jewish students and staff.
There is much that we can learn from this balanced reflection of the perspectives of many of those who have been involved in the protests over the past year
Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK
Josh Freeman, policy manager at Hepi and author of the report, said: 'Now a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been signed, it is a good time for universities to reflect on this fraught period of student activism.
'Most protests last only a few hours and disappear as quickly as they appear. The encampments were very different.
'From April 2024, they became a semi-permanent feature on many campuses. This allowed the protesters to build a visible, sustained campaign to pressure institutions to take action.'
He added: 'The visibility brought its own challenges. Many students and staff were uncomfortable to have to walk past the protests every day.
'Institutions should learn the lessons of the protests. Supporting the free speech of protesters and others was and should be a key priority.
'Another important consideration is supporting student wellbeing, and more should have been done to support vulnerable members of the academic community, including Jewish students and staff and the protesters themselves.'
Researchers carried out interviews with 14 student protesters, 19 university staff, eight students' union officers, 10 Jewish students and representatives, three other representatives of the Jewish community and two others.
Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK (UUK), said: 'This report illustrates the challenges universities face in balancing their duty to protect and promote free speech, and to allow legitimate protest, with the obligation to ensure the safety of their campuses and the ability of staff and students to go about their work and study.
'They are also obliged by law to prevent hate speech, antisemitism and racism.
'There is much that we can learn from this balanced reflection of the perspectives of many of those who have been involved in the protests over the past year.'
Arif Ahmed, director for freedom of speech and academic freedom at the OfS, said: 'Universities and colleges need to take steps to uphold free speech within the law for students, staff and visiting speakers. This includes making provision for peaceful protest.'
He added: 'We're clear that lawful speech does not, and cannot, include discrimination against, or harassment of, Jewish students or staff – or any other conduct prohibited by law.
'In other examples, speech may be offensive or shocking to some but its legality may be highly dependent on the particular facts of the case.
'That is why the OfS cannot offer blanket guidance on, for example, the lawfulness of certain phrases.'
Stella Swain, youth and students campaigns officer at the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), said: 'Students set up encampments because they are rightly horrified at the fact that their institutions have links with Israel's genocidal assault on the Palestinian people in Gaza.'
She added: 'Universities must listen to their students and ensure they stand on the right side of history by breaking all ties of complicity with Israel's ongoing violence, its illegal occupation, and its violations of the rights of the Palestinian people across their homeland.'
A Department for Education spokesperson said: 'We welcome this report and encourage institutions to reflect on what can be learned regarding handling protests appropriately and effectively.
'Everyone is entitled to their political opinions and has the right to campaign on issues, but any action must be conducted lawfully.'
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10 hours ago
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MPs have called for the Government to recognise the state of Palestine at a summit next week, hours after the Foreign Secretary confirmed the sanctioning of two Israeli government ministers. Foreign minister Hamish Falconer faced repeated cross-party calls from MPs to recognise Palestine at the meeting in New York. In response, Mr Falconer did not rule out the move, saying he had 'no doubt' he would return to the Commons to update MPs. It came as the UK imposed an asset freeze and travel ban on Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's security minister and finance minister, respectively. The move came alongside Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway. 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Belfast Telegraph
10 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
MPs call for UK to recognise Palestine after Government sanctions ministers
Foreign minister Hamish Falconer faced repeated cross-party calls from MPs to recognise Palestine at the meeting in New York. In response, Mr Falconer did not rule out the move, saying he had 'no doubt' he would return to the Commons to update MPs. It came as the UK imposed an asset freeze and travel ban on Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's security minister and finance minister, respectively. The move came alongside Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway. When asked about the recognition of Palestine by Liberal Democrat foreign spokesperson Calum Miller, Mr Falconer said: 'The two-state solution conference next week is an important moment we're discussing with our friends and allies our approach to that conference and no-doubt I will return to this house, with your permission Mr Speaker, to discuss further.' Mr Miller had said: 'The time has also come to listen to members on all sides of this House and officially to recognise the independent state of Palestine. Will the Government commit to taking this vital step at next week's summit in New York? 'Recognition will demonstrate the UK's commitment to self-determination but also make clear that, building on today's announcement, the UK will do all it can to wrest control away from the extremes and give both Israelis and Palestinians hope of a lasting peace.' Conservative MP for Herne Bay and Sandwich, Sir Roger Gale, had chastised the Government for not taking more action. He said: 'When the minister came to the despatch box, I had expected to hear something constructive. What we've heard is the sanctioning of two people. The United Kingdom Government could unilaterally recognise Palestine. The United Kingdom Government could show the world and lead.' He added: 'When is the Government going to do something?' Labour MP Abtisam Mohamed (Sheffield Central), who was denied access to the occupied West Bank earlier this year, agreed with the calls. She said: 'Annexation is real. It is happening. Partners in the region are calling for recognition before it's too late.' Ms Mohamed continued: 'Does the minister agree with me that we must not throw recognition into the long grass? That failure to recognise next week at the UN conference implies that Israel does have a veto, and that the Israeli government will continue to annexe and terrorise Palestinians in the West Bank. If we do not recognise now, there will be no Palestinian state to recognise.' Mr Falconer said: 'Recognition is right at the centre of any discussion of a two-state solution.' The minister had earlier told MPs the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine was in critical danger. He said the rhetoric of Mr Ben-Gvir and Mr Smotrich did not represent the majority of Israelis. He said: 'This is an affront to the rights of Palestinians, but it is also against the interests of Israelis, against their long-term security and democracy.' Later in the session, Green Party MP Ellie Chowns (North Herefordshire) accused the Government of doing the 'bare minimum' while Conservative former minister Kit Malthouse further pressed the minister on whether recognition at the summit is now 'off the table'. Mr Falconer said 'we are doing everything we can', adding: 'We are so incredibly frustrated by the scenes that meet us, meet everybody behind me, and I would say gently to (Mr Malthouse), he has no monopoly on the morality of this situation.' The minister went on to say settler expansion had increased hugely in recent years, and last year had seen the worst settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank on record. He added that this year is on track to be just as violent. 'This is an attempt to entrench a one-state reality,' he told MPs. He continued: 'The gravity of this situation demands further action. 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She told MPs the previous Conservative government considered sanctioning the two ministers. 'The minister will be aware that the sanctioning of individuals is always under review, that is the right policy,' she said. 'And in the case of Israel, this has been previously considered even by Lord Cameron, who has spoken of that in the last government.' DUP MP Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) suggested Mr Falconer is 'pandering to the increasingly loud anti-Israel voices on his backbenches', adding: 'The minister must know that this will not bring peace to Gaza.' Mr Falconer replied: 'I have spoken about the perilous decline of the situation in the West Bank, and indeed events of the last two weeks, and I've also spoken about the importance of co-ordinating with allies. So, I don't think I have anything further to say.'

Rhyl Journal
10 hours ago
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MPs call for UK to recognise Palestine after Government sanctions ministers
Foreign minister Hamish Falconer faced repeated cross-party calls from MPs to recognise Palestine at the meeting in New York. In response, Mr Falconer did not rule out the move, saying he had 'no doubt' he would return to the Commons to update MPs. It came as the UK imposed an asset freeze and travel ban on Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, Israel's security minister and finance minister, respectively. The move came alongside Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway. When asked about the recognition of Palestine by Liberal Democrat foreign spokesperson Calum Miller, Mr Falconer said: 'The two-state solution conference next week is an important moment we're discussing with our friends and allies our approach to that conference and no-doubt I will return to this house, with your permission Mr Speaker, to discuss further.' Mr Miller had said: 'The time has also come to listen to members on all sides of this House and officially to recognise the independent state of Palestine. Will the Government commit to taking this vital step at next week's summit in New York? 'Recognition will demonstrate the UK's commitment to self-determination but also make clear that, building on today's announcement, the UK will do all it can to wrest control away from the extremes and give both Israelis and Palestinians hope of a lasting peace.' Conservative MP for Herne Bay and Sandwich, Sir Roger Gale, had chastised the Government for not taking more action. He said: 'When the minister came to the despatch box, I had expected to hear something constructive. What we've heard is the sanctioning of two people. The United Kingdom Government could unilaterally recognise Palestine. The United Kingdom Government could show the world and lead.' He added: 'When is the Government going to do something?' Labour MP Abtisam Mohamed (Sheffield Central), who was denied access to the occupied West Bank earlier this year, agreed with the calls. She said: 'Annexation is real. It is happening. Partners in the region are calling for recognition before it's too late.' Ms Mohamed continued: 'Does the minister agree with me that we must not throw recognition into the long grass? That failure to recognise next week at the UN conference implies that Israel does have a veto, and that the Israeli government will continue to annexe and terrorise Palestinians in the West Bank. If we do not recognise now, there will be no Palestinian state to recognise.' Mr Falconer said: 'Recognition is right at the centre of any discussion of a two-state solution.' The minister had earlier told MPs the two-state solution between Israel and Palestine was in critical danger. He said the rhetoric of Mr Ben-Gvir and Mr Smotrich did not represent the majority of Israelis. He said: 'This is an affront to the rights of Palestinians, but it is also against the interests of Israelis, against their long-term security and democracy.' Later in the session, Green Party MP Ellie Chowns (North Herefordshire) accused the Government of doing the 'bare minimum' while Conservative former minister Kit Malthouse further pressed the minister on whether recognition at the summit is now 'off the table'. Mr Falconer said 'we are doing everything we can', adding: 'We are so incredibly frustrated by the scenes that meet us, meet everybody behind me, and I would say gently to (Mr Malthouse), he has no monopoly on the morality of this situation.' The minister went on to say settler expansion had increased hugely in recent years, and last year had seen the worst settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank on record. He added that this year is on track to be just as violent. 'This is an attempt to entrench a one-state reality,' he told MPs. He continued: 'The gravity of this situation demands further action. The reality is that these human rights abuses, incitement to violence, extremist rhetoric comes … from individuals who are ministers in this Israeli government.' Mr Falconer added: 'We have told the Israeli government that we would take tougher action if this did not stop. It still did not. The appalling rhetoric has continued unchanged. Violent perpetrators continue to act with impunity and with encouragement. 'So, let me tell the House now, when we say something, we mean it. Today we have shown, with our partners, two extremists we will not stand by while they wreck the prospects for future peace.' Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said: 'The situation in the Middle East and the suffering we are seeing is serious and completely intolerable. Dame Priti added: 'We all want to see a better future for the Israeli and Palestinian people, and the UK must continue to play a leading role in achieving this.' She told MPs the previous Conservative government considered sanctioning the two ministers. 'The minister will be aware that the sanctioning of individuals is always under review, that is the right policy,' she said. 'And in the case of Israel, this has been previously considered even by Lord Cameron, who has spoken of that in the last government.' DUP MP Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) suggested Mr Falconer is 'pandering to the increasingly loud anti-Israel voices on his backbenches', adding: 'The minister must know that this will not bring peace to Gaza.' Mr Falconer replied: 'I have spoken about the perilous decline of the situation in the West Bank, and indeed events of the last two weeks, and I've also spoken about the importance of co-ordinating with allies. So, I don't think I have anything further to say.'