Six months of demos and five weeks of sit-ins see university climb down in face of students’ determination

Students at London’s Goldsmiths university have won a huge victory after months of solidarity with Palestinians, forcing their university to accept their demand to divest from involvement with the Israeli occupation and to set up scholarships for Palestinian students.

Organiser Fatima Zaid explained in a Twitter/X thread what the students have achieved, including the end of an investment contract with a firm closely connected to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu – and a review of the university’s use of the unfit (and non-definitional) so-called ‘IHRA definition’ of antisemitism, that has been widely used to suppress criticism of Israel:

2. Statement on Genocide

Goldsmiths will release a collaborative statement between management, @Gold4Palestine and the student union.

Goldsmiths has also agreed to write to the UK government and the local MP to call for a ceasefire and support rebuilding education in Gaza.

— Fatima (@fatimazsaid) May 3, 2024

4. Palestinian Scholarships

Goldsmiths will introduce undergraduate scholarships for Palestinian students + an additional fully funded postgraduate scholarship will be implemented from this year.

This will be the only undergraduate Palestinian scholarship offered in Britain!

— Fatima (@fatimazsaid) May 3, 2024

6. Immortalise the Student Occupation

One of the lecture theatres that students occupied in the media department will be renamed after Shireen Abu-Akleh.

The @Gold4Palestine occupation will also be memorialised in an exhibition wall in the Professor Stuart Hall Building.

— Fatima (@fatimazsaid) May 3, 2024

The news will strengthen even further the determination of students at a string of other UK universities who have set up encampments – and is already encouraging students in the US facing brutal state repression and foul smears.

Congratulations and solidarity with the people of Palestine and all those who are fighting for an end to genocide, occupation, apartheid and repression.

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