Kingston University students walked out of classes to protest the institution’s complicity in the ongoing genocide in Gaza, occupied Palestine.
Kingston University, among many other educational institutions around the world, have been found to be investing in Israeli apartheid according to research by Palestine Solidarity UK. Their findings were that Kingston University was one of the largest contributors, with millions in Barclays – one of the largest investors in Elbit Systems, an Israeli arms company.
The walkout was planned by both the Palestine Society, the University and College Union and the local Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) branch, all of which aim to put pressure on the university and local council to divest in the Israeli apartheid. The PSC have worked tirelessly over the last two years to change investments in pension funds, pressuring the council to look to ethical companies that have no ties to the genocide happening in occupied Palestine and violence from settlers in the West Bank. Sonu Sayeed, leader of the divestment campaign at the Richmond and Kingston Palestine Solidarity Campaign (RKPSC) says: “The campaign successfully petitioned Kingston Council, resulting in a cross-party Full Council motion in July committing to the principle of pension fund divestment from companies complicit in human rights abuses. Further campaigning led to the Pension Fund Panel committing in September to review and strengthen the council’s Responsible Investment Policy.”
Whilst great strides have been made within the council, the university remains committed to investing in Barclays, and more recently allowed for the operation of Starbucks coffee machines in the newly refurbished Penrhyn Road campus.
Sayeed explains: “Community involvement remains crucial.” He states that the best ways to make a difference include engaging with our local councillors, continuing to raise awareness and following local campaigns such as the PSC for updates and calls to action.
Sayeed said that the “broad-based support has been essential to the campaign’s progress”, explaining that the engagement from the students, faith groups and unions has been significant and “demonstrates a strong desire for ethical action.”
Mary Holmes, member of the RKPSC, expressed how the campaigners “were all inspired by the commitment and enthusiasm of students we witnessed on 9 October at the walk out.” Whilst the ceasefire situation has changed and the bombardment continues, Holmes says that “we will be continuing all our current activities and would welcome the opportunity to work with students from Kingston University.”
The walk-out occurred shortly after a ceasefire deal was announced by US President, Donald Trump, however, it has since been violated by Israel over 80 times and has killed 97 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s media office.
