Cambridge Student Encampment Vindicated as University Indicates Divestment Support

The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) welcomes recent news of Cambridge University’s willingness to move towards investigation of institutional complicity in Israeli atrocities, while reaffirming students’ demands for more concrete action by University administration. The students, who have held an encampment on the grounds of Kings Parade since May, have been promised a review process of University investment and research relationships, a first step towards the divestment from Israel’s arms trade which has been the central demand of the three-month long protest action.

The University has, as of 23 July, pledged a ‘consideration’ of ways of defining and monitoring defence exposures within investment portfolios, should the students close their encampment. This would, we hope, enhance the stringency of arms investment prohibitions within the University’s investment guidelines, which at present prohibit investments in only specific subsets of weapons types, such as cluster munitions, without reference to human rights or war crimes considerations. The University has also committed to review of guidelines underpinning academic and industry research partnerships.

The student group ‘Cambridge for Palestine’ has described the promised action as a “long overdue step” towards divestment and has signalled willingness to engage in processes set out by the University, but describes the pledges as ultimately “insufficient”. Student organisers continue to demand full disclosure of investment holdings and practices, an institutional response to war crimes and crimes against humanity, and a University acknowledgement of genocide in Gaza.

As they begin the dismantling the camp and look to involve themselves in the University’s processes, organisers have also rejected any suggestion that this signals an end to their independent activity: stating that they will seek to establish a permanent base for action at the University to ensure continued mobilisation. Cambridge for Palestine will maintain their organising momentum heading into October’s Michaelmas Term, building on their activity which has thus far led to the establishment of a Student Task Force for participation in University processes, the creation of a University ‘Humanitarian Response Fund’, and the University’s first steps towards divestment.

The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) continues to support Cambridge University students seeking rectification for institutional complicity in Israeli war crimes. We continue to pursue independent legal action, including our work on university and college investment portfolios. Our Legal Team may also be able to offer support for other student encampments or campaigns which wish to address institutional investments or other involvement in Israeli atrocities in Gaza. Please contact [email protected] for information.

ENDS 

Notes to Editors:  

1. The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians is an independent organisation of lawyers, politicians and academics who support the rights of Palestinians and aim to protect their rights through the law.   
2. Cambridge University 23^rd July 2024, ‘Upholding our values: responding to calls from our university community’
3. Cambridge for Palestine, 25^th July 2024, ‘Response to the University’s Statement: Decamping and Future Action’
4. International Centre of Justice for Palestinians, 13^th May 2024, ‘Trinity College Cambridge votes to divest from arms companies six days after ICJP submitted Charity Commission complaint’
5. Featured image credited to ‘Cambridge For Palestine’