LSE Solidarity with Gaza!

Next steps for student activistm

2009-04-06T06:13:00.000+01:00

Let’s build a radical student movement!

Student Co-Ordination, 18 April 2009, University College London

12 – 13:30 Voices from the global student resistance

Student activists from Germany, France, Austria, UK [suggestion Tom from AEiP steering com?] and Italy share their experiences of struggle against the Europe-wide attacks on education and movements against the massacre of Gaza.

13:30 – 14:00 Break

14:00 – 15:30 Where next for the student movement?

After the implosion of NUS democracy, the Gaza occupations and in the midst of deep global economic crisis we discuss how to build a new, fighting student movement. What issues should must we fight on? How should we organise? What’s the next step?

An open discussion.

15:30 – 16:30 Workshops: Ideas and debates in our movement

Workshop 1: How can we win liberation?

Do we need a party? What kind of politics? Marxism, Anarchism or other? A debate between different traditions

Workshop 2: From Gaza to Afghanistan: the politics of imperialism

How can we develop the fightback after the Gaza occupation movement? The fight to defend democratic rights, oppose racism and future wars. What attitude to the new Obama regime should we have? Where do we go from here?

Workshop 3: Workers’ struggles and the student movement

An activist from the London Living wage campaign talks about how students and workers can build links. We discuss what the crisis means for student-worker solidarity.

16:45 – 17:45 Building campaigns and activism on campuses

What have we learnt from the occupation movement? How can we build campaigns? The bread and butter of student activism explained/discussed.

17:45 – 18:00 Conclusions

Drawing the day together, agreement on decisions and next steps

New York University in occupation!

2009-02-19T10:47:00.004Z

www.takebacknyu.com

Various demands including Palestine-related ones.

It seems that the tactics of occupation have been re-embraced by students as effective methods to get concerns heard and addressed. Take the power back!

Byam Shaw School of Art in occupation!

2009-02-19T09:44:00.003Z

The occupation movement spreads past the issue of Palestine...

http://byamshawpeoplesuniversity.blogspot.com/

Breaking news - UEA, UEL and St Andrews in Occupation!

2009-02-18T15:51:00.001Z

Come on UCL... where are you?

http://uweoccupation.blogspot.com

St Andrews - http://pulsemedia.org/2009/02/18/st-andrews-university-student-occupation/

http://ueloccupation.blogspot.com/

Article in the Guardian

2009-02-15T21:19:00.000Z

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/14/gaza-student-protests

Breaking news - Edinburgh University occupied!

2009-02-11T23:17:00.001Z

http://edinburghunioccupation.wordpress.com/

Goldsmiths Occupation

2009-02-11T13:24:00.002Z

You can show your support here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=54327346539

Blog here: http://goldsmithsoccupation.blogspot.com/

Solidarity with Matt Vicary, suspended from his post at Hallam Union for taking part in NUS action

2009-02-11T13:12:00.003Z

During the recent NUS Extraordinary Conference a group of students took to the stage to demand that the NUS release a strong statement of condemnation of merciless Israeli bombing of Gaza.

Matt Vicary, Equal opportunities officer at Sheffield Hallam Union has been suspended from his post by President Russ Swannack for taking part. Several other students have been threatened with suspension from the University itself and the Union has done nothing to defend them.

We should be defending student activism, not banning it.

To show your support and register your disgust ring Hallam Union on 0114 225 4111 or email r.swannack@shu.ac.uk.

Goldsmiths occupation begins

2009-02-11T12:30:00.002Z

Students at Goldsmiths University are occupying the local town hall building their university owns after management refused to meet their deadline regarding scholarships for Palestinians. More soon.

Glasgow uni occupied!

2009-02-09T18:28:00.001Z

http://glasgowunioccupation.blogspot.com/

Taking pictures of police will be made illegal

2009-02-09T16:05:00.000Z

Extremely alarming:

http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=836675

Call for national coordination

2009-02-09T15:54:00.000Z

For a radical coordination of the student struggles in Britain
The past few weeks have seen an explosion of student organisation most notably in occupations against Israel's war on the Gaza strip. Much of the organisation has taken place outside of and alongside existing student union structures. Many of the occupations saw new networks formed among students which even took on something of a national and international character as blogs, social networking groups and email lists were set up to aid cross campus coordination. Some of the occupied spaces used international links to publicise the actions to students and other youth activists across Europe, the Middle East, Palestine and beyond.

As students from different societies, departments and political groups worked together, some of the occupied spaces starting inviting speakers and holding meetings on a whole range of different subject issues from anti-racism to trade unionism, to education.

Throughout the occupations students have often experienced harsh repression as a response on the part of the university administrations. Denied freedom of speech and freedom of assembly, many students have felt that universities are no longer public educational spaces. From this, many students saw the need to go beyond Gaza and reclaim their rights to voice political concerns about their own conditions.

With the recession deepening in Britain we are likely to see increases in education cuts, student unemployment and poverty, even racism and war. Education is no longer free in the UK and at a time when we need it most. In addition the NUS governance review has now passed destroying all the remaining democracy in an institution dominated by bureaucrats and careerists which has sold out all genuine campaigning and the fight for free education.

All these things point to the need for the networks of activists formed around the Gaza movement to form a national coordination to bring all our struggles to the next level.

Such a coordination could bring together the networks formed around the Gaza occupations from over 20 universities including SOAS, KCL, Sussex, Birmingham, Newcastle etc. It could bring together existing student and youth organisations such as Education Not for Sale, Another Education is Possible, ISR, YCL, SWSS, Revolution, Communist Students, Socialist Students, Antiwar groups and many other student societies interested in this coordination initiative, and seek to draw in further a host of other student organisations and individual students.

It could allow us to better coordinate with students internationally in struggle against other forms of injustices, particularly those fighting the 'Bologna process' in Europe. It could be open and accessible and draw in school and college students who face many of the same problems as students at the universities. It could encourage coordinations at a local level, drawing in all these students and allow cross-campus organisation in cities and towns. It could provide an alternative avenue for campaigning both alongside existing student union executive where possible but without them where necessary. It could provide a space to assess and debate what our education should look like and challenge the increasing corporatisation and privatisation of our education system.

Student activists met up on 7 February to discuss issues in this statement. We called for a national meeting for the provisional date of 18 April. We ask all student activists to attend and to add their contact details to this statement by emailing studentcoordination@gmail.com

Victory for Rochester University in the USA

2009-02-07T17:07:00.006Z

The occupation of the University of Rochester ended after 9 hours. The university agreed to a number of statements that we could hold them accountable for and build on to continue this movement of boycott and divestment. Most importantly, we got them to agree to help organize with their own resources a public forum to expose their investments. Below are the statements that Dean Burns signed last night.

1. Divestment. That Dean Burns help organize a public forum with the U of R investors, SDS and the community on U of R investment policy, and U of R investment in Israel.

2. Humanitarian Aid. That U of R commit resources and provide any needed information for a campus-wide fundrive for Palestine.

3. Academic Aid. That U of R assess needs in Gaza and donate surplus supplies to universities such as computers, books...etc.

4. Scholarships. That U of R commit to providing international student scholarships to Palestinians.

We are proud of what we did and the support from community activists we received. This was just the first step at the University of Rochester.

For details on the occupation, reported from the inside: http://www.thesitch.com/occupation

Solidarity from the UK! Rochester have taken an historic, unprecedented step for American universities. The international movement is growing!

Also: Solidarity to other activists in the US, who were punched by a journalist and manhandled by police:
http://socialistworker.org/2009/02/03/activists-protest-aipac

National Student Occupation meeting Saturday 7 Feb

2009-02-06T13:07:00.000Z

WAVE OF GAZA SOLIDARITY ACTION ON UK CAMPUSES
NATIONAL STUDENT ACTIVISTS' MEETING CALLED
TONY BENN AND GEORGE GALLOWAY AMONG SPEAKERS

The last two weeks have seen an extraordinary wave of
solidarity action for Gaza on Britain's campuses, with student
occupations at 22 universities and colleges so far.

The students' demands have been for the universities and
colleges to provide scholarships for Palestinian students, to
send books and unused computers to Palestine, to condemn the
Israeli attacks on Gaza and to disinvest from Israel,
specifically from investing in BAE, which supplies arms to
Israel.

A victory for these demands has been won in the majority of
universities and colleges which took action. More occupations
are likely to follow on other campuses.

Stop the War has organised a student activists' meeting in
London on Saturday 7 February, at which the speakers will
include Tony Benn, George Galloway MP, Jeremy Corbyn MP and
Lindsey German, national convenor of Stop the War.

The meeting is open to everyone who wants to build an active
anti-war movement on campus. Please publicise the meeting as
widely as you can.

STOP THE WAR NATIONAL STUDENT ACTIVIST MEETING
SATURDAY 7 FEBRUARY, 12-4PM
BIRKBECK COLLEGE,
ROOM B01, CLORE MANAGEMENT CENTRE,
25-27 TORRINGTON SQUARE, LONDON, WC1E 7HX

TIMETABLE:

12-1pm
Solidarity with Gaza - End the War on Terror
Tony Benn, George Galloway MP, Lindsey German Convenor Stop
the War, Mira Hammad LSE

1-2.30pm
Building solidarity with Palestine on the campuses
With representatives from University campaigns

3-4pm
Closing Rally - The future of the anti-war movement
Jeremy Corbyn MP, Chris Nineham StWC, Rob Owen, NUS NEC

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Email: office@stopwar.org.uk
Phone: 07783 541 333

Manchester University have called the police

2009-02-06T09:47:00.002Z

200 Students are occupying two buildings. One group has barricaded themselves in the university's post sorting office.

Complain:

UNI +44 (0) 161 306 6000
+44 (0)161 306 6010

POLICE 0161 872 5050

http://manunioccupation.wordpress.com/

Breaking News - American university occupied as Strathclyde wins!

2009-02-05T22:27:00.004Z

The University of Rochester in New York has been occupied after being inspired by the occupations in the UK. Congratulations and solidarity!

The Early Day Motion now has 15 signatures - ask your MP to sign by contacting them on www.theyworkforyou.com

Occupation of Strathclyde Uni, Glasgow

STARTED WEDNESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY, 2009, 2.30pm.
ENDED THURSDAY 5TH FEBRUARY, 2009, 1.30pm.

SUCCESS

After a 24 hour occupation of Registry; three negotiation sessions with the university authorities and a students' association that opposed the actions, we managed to win a series of promises from the University administration:

- The Eden Springs contract has been CANCELLED
- Scholarships will be provided for 1-3 (and potentially more) Palestinian students
- The DEC appeal will be publicised on campus and on the University homepage
- The University will re-establish its link with the University of Gaza
- The University denies that it has any links with BAE systems beyond the company funding one student to the sum of £5000 in the engineering department. Whether this is true or not remains to be seen, and we shall investigate this further.

Information Compilation on all the occupations

2009-02-05T10:54:00.001Z

http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dffv2vpj_0d7p2jcc3

E-mail lseoccupation@gmail.com if you have anything to add!

Breaking News - Manchester and Strathclyde in occupation

2009-02-05T00:48:00.004Z

http://strathclydeunioccupation.wordpress.com/
http://manunioccupation.wordpress.com/

Also: the early day motion supporting our occupations has reached 10 signatures!

http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=37672&SESSION=899

Excellent Speech by George Galloway today

2009-02-04T18:21:00.002Z

Massive update on all the occupations

2009-02-02T22:18:00.004Z

This blog hasn't been updated as much as it should have (and the top bit outlining the days etc is now out of date), so I've decided to make a compilation of all the occupations. Watch this space.

Illegal Nottingham Eviction

2009-02-01T22:43:00.002Z

Message from Nottingham occupiers:

1. Three gentlemen including steven dudderidge entered the room and read out basically the same statement with regard to our place. he then
gave us two minutes or "our guards will remove you".

2. We decided since none of our demand had even been considered to sit
at the back of the lecture hall and non-violently resist.

3. Nine or so uniformed security guards entered the room and proceeded to remove the protesters from the floor with force and then throw them out the building into the cold. I do not think it unreasonable to say that this is likely illegal considering these are not police officers
but simply security guards. Several screamed out in pain, belts were
ripped etc.

4. Once all the protester had been ejected from the room the
University guards etc proceeded to begin to look through the objects
that remained in the room. This I believe is also a potential legal
issue.

Please publicise this immediately.

Nottingham

Early day motion in Parliament to support occupations

2009-01-30T11:50:00.004Z

No mention of LSE but still excellent.

The following parliamentary motion has been tabled:

EDM 626 STUDENT OCCUPATIONS 28.01.2009 McDonnell, John 2 signatures

Corbyn, Jeremy

That this House praises the wave of student occupations across the country against Israel's unlawful invasion and bombing of Gaza; regrets that an estimated thousand Palestinians have been killed as a direct result of the recent Israeli invasion of Gaza with many more people injured and suffering ongoing hardship; and welcomes the engagement of young people in protesting against the unfolding human tragedy in Gaza by taking direct action at numerous institutions including Cambridge University, Essex University, Kings College London, Manchester Metropolitan University, Oxford University, Queen Mary University London and Sussex University.

Nottingham in the ITV News!

2009-01-29T21:24:00.003Z

http://www.itvlocal.com/central/news/?player=CEN_News_15&void=281379

There is confusion surrounding the protest earlier today: Apparently the IDF guy was just a settlement leader.. The protest happened anyway, members of the LSEoccupation have been there, report coming soon!

Also:

- Cambridge decided to end their occupation after the University threatened a police eviction.
- King's is on its 10th day of occupation! They are holding a rally at 1:30pm tomorrow (Friday) to hand in a petition to revoke Shimon Peres's honorary doctorate.

Demonstration against visiting IDF official today 6pm!

2009-01-29T15:06:00.001Z

Please publicise widely and demonstrate against the Colonel Geva Rapp, deputy commander of the Israeli Ground Forces in Operation Cast Lead against Gaza. This person should be charged for War Crimes and should not be travelling freely in the UK.

Day & Date: This Thursday 29th January (today)
Time: 6:00pm (Talk starts at 6:30pm)
Venue: The Jewish London Student Centre in Euston, 163 Euston Road.
Speaker: Colonel Geva Rapp, the head of the ground operations in Gaza (Operation Cast Lead)!

Breaking News - Nottingham and Sheffield Hallam in occupation!

2009-01-29T00:39:00.002Z

http://occupationnottingham.wordpress.com

http://shuoccupation.blogspot.com

Sussex Occupation declares victory

2009-01-28T11:28:00.003Z

Below is the statement by the university - Well done Sussex!

Student sit-in protest ends

A protest and sit-in in the Asa Briggs lecture theatre ended peacefully last night (Tuesday 27 January), when the students involved agreed to a final statement which the University had presented earlier in the week in response to their original demands.

In common with other leading UK universities, a number of students at Sussex had been protesting at the events taking place in Gaza, staging a peaceful sit-in on campus in the Asa Briggs lecture theatre (formerly A2), since Tuesday 20 January.

The University entered into immediate discussions with the students, seeking to bring about a speedy resolution, in the interests of the whole University community. The conduct of the students had been peaceful and orderly and they had indicated their intention not to disrupt teaching within A2. However, their continued presence in the lecture theatre over a long period of time was proving to be increasingly problematic for lecturers and other students and complaints had been received from both students and staff.

The University made clear throughout that the situation in Gaza is something of international concern and that all universities will be saddened by the fact that civilian casualties have occurred in educational establishments. The University of Sussex also made clear it concurred with the call made by the President of Universities UK, Professor Rick Trainor, for an end to conflict in and beyond Gaza.

A full and detailed statement had been developed by the University in discussion with the students, in response to the six demands which the students presented. That statement –which is set out below in full – represents a positive response by the University to all the points made by the students, in particular through:

· confirming its ethical investment policy and reviewing its operation;

· seeking to create new scholarships for students from all areas affected by conflict or catastrophe, including Palestine;

· working with the students' union (USSU) and other UK HEIs to pass surplus educational materials to universities in Palestine.

Detailed discussion involving USSU on how these are to be taken forward will follow, now that the action has ended.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Farthing, has also said that the University, working with the students’ union, will now wish to look at these events and review how such matters are handled , so that the University can learn lessons from what has happened, in the interests of the whole Sussex community.

28 January 2009

--------------------------------

STATEMENT FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX

The Occupation Group of students and the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Michael Farthing, are pleased to announce that the occupation of Lecture Theatre A2 in protest at Israeli military action in Gaza and in solidarity with the Palestinian people, ended at 23.00 hours on Tuesday 27 January, by mutual consent.

Professor Michael Farthing, has said of the crisis in Gaza that he fully understands the concerns felt by many students and by many others around the world about the events of recent weeks. The University concurs with Professor Trainor, President of Universities UK who speaks for the sector as a whole in calling for an end to the conflict in and beyond Gaza. As he has said, many civilian casualties have occurred in educational establishments. We give unqualified support to his statement which says that: “the UK’s universities are resolutely committed to the right of education, enshrined in the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Higher education, in particular, is a global activity and we value our academic links with universities all over the world. The international nature of higher education means it is force for understanding, tolerance and respect between people.”

Professor Farthing has said the University will stand by internationally agreed conventions on conflict and human rights, in particular the United Nations Agreements on Human Rights (http://www.un.org/rights/). Accordingly, we condemn attacks on civilians, any obstruction of provision of humanitarian aid and the targeting of public buildings and facilities like universities, hospitals and schools, wherever such attacks take place in the world. The Vice-Chancellor noted the United Nations Secretary General’s call for an end to the Israeli occupation that began in 1967, and a just, lasting peace between Israel and its Arab neighbours. He further noted the UN Secretary General’s demand that where civilians have been killed and there are allegations of violations of international humanitarian law, there should be thorough investigations, full explanations and, where it is required, accountability.

The Vice-Chancellor also made clear that the University has a duty of care to all students at Sussex and will continue to work even-handedly and without favour to foster and preserve harmonious relations across the international community of students and scholars studying at Sussex..

The group’s concerns and representations were made in its Press Release: Sussex Students for a Free Palestine. Agreement on the following issues raised by the students was reached.

Ethical investment/divestment

The University is not aware of any investment or research directly or indirectly connecting Sussex to companies that are allegedly complicit in human rights abuses in Gaza or anywhere else.

The University will however review its ethical investment policy that aims to ensure the University only engages in making socially responsible investments. It will establish a working party of Strategy and Resources Committee to undertake this review. The working party will include the student representative on SRC. The working party will be pleased to receive any data or evidence that shows that the policy is knowingly or unknowingly being breached. Any such breach identified by the working party will result in divestment and cessation of the activity.

Sanctions against Israeli goods and products sold on campus

The University is not aware of a call for or agreement by the UN for economic sanctions against Israel. The University would wish to work with USSU to ensure that produce sold on campus indicates clearly its source or provenance so that members of the community can make an informed choice prior to purchase. The University notes that its catering and retail strategy already makes clear that it is the University’s practice to source food and other produce from local farmers and suppliers wherever possible.

Scholarships for Palestinian students

The University will undertake to work with USSU to establish an international scholarship scheme that extends opportunities available for students from regions affected by conflict or catastrophe. The University would seek to develop a scheme that has, as a minimum, six scholarships targeted at such regions in the world. The University will hold discussions with the Director of Development and Alumni relations and the President of the Students’ Union about how alumni and other possible sources of scholarship funding might be approached to establish the scheme.

Meanwhile, the University will review its promotion of the international scholarships that it has currently available in order to increase the number of applications from Palestine and other regions suffering conflict or catastrophe.

Support for Palestinian universities

The University will work with USSU and assist in efforts being made by other UK universities to dispose of or re-cycle surplus books, computers and other learning materials for the benefit of deserving institutions in Palestine currently affected by the conflict, meeting any reasonable shipping costs if necessary. We agree to explore the practicalities of getting this underway; particularly in ensuring that such stock is wanted, functional and in the case of IT, can be supported by the host institution.

No reprisals

The University acknowledges the constructive approach adopted during the protest and in particular the students’ commitment not to disrupt teaching, to preserve the quality of the teaching environment , and to respect the views of other members of the community. The University reaffirms that protest that is lawful and not in breach of the University’s Regulations will not result in action being taken against any student or students involved.

The University and USSU will consider the practical steps needed and associated timetable for implementation of the action agreed above.

27 January 2009

Breaking News - Queen Mary's and Bradford Universities occupied!

2009-01-28T00:25:00.001Z

http://queenmaryoccupation.blogspot.com/

http://occupied-bradford.blogspot.com

Also, a correction:

Manchester and Salford were false alarms - students from these two universities helped out at Manchester Met rather than create their own.

I have also had reports refuting occupation rumours in Nottingham and Bristol.

Students - please create a blog when you occupy, it makes things so much easier! :)

Breaking News - Queen Mary's and Bradford Universities occupied!

2009-01-27T23:43:00.004Z

http://queenmaryoccupation.blogspot.com/

https://publish.indymedia.org.uk/en/2009/01/420448.html

Also, a correction:

Manchester and Salford were false alarms - students from these two universities helped out at Manchester Met rather than create their own.

I have also had reports refuting occupation rumours in Nottingham and Bristol.

Students - please create a blog when you occupy, it makes things so much easier! :)

Solidarity letter from Palestinian universities union PFUUPE

2009-01-27T16:10:00.005Z

What the BBC doesn't want you to see

2009-01-27T11:36:00.004Z

In other news: More collective punishment for 1.5 million traumatised Gazans. Israel has closed the borders for aid since once of their patrolling soldiers has been killed by a landmine.

Video of King's speech at BBC rally

2009-01-26T21:37:00.002Z

And LSE's speech from two weeks ago again for those of you who haven't seen it!

Solidarity message from Noam Chomsky

2009-01-26T16:48:00.002Z

I am very pleased to learn about your courageous and honorable actions, particularly significant because of the crucial British contribution to the savage onslaught on Gaza, second only to the decisive role of the United States -- a disgrace for all of us. I hope you have the greatest success in arousing public opinion and bringing these monstrous crimes to an end.

Noam Chomsky

Leaked advice to Goldsmiths staff re occupations

2009-01-26T15:05:00.004Z

A tad excessive? Very focused on "sensitive documents".. wonder what they have to hide!

STUDENT DISRUPTION: GENERAL GUIDANCE FOR STAFF
All staff are asked to read and note the following guidelines, to be implemented in the event of disruption, such as the occupation of College buildings by students.

1 How you should act during the disruption (general):

work normally as far as possible

remain vigilant for extensions to disruption

speak to line manager before dealing with anyone involved in the disruption

check email messages regularly

ensure telephones are attended to, ensure answer phones are operational and checked regularly

lock all offices, and turn off computers, when leaving.

In day-to-day contact, you should, at all times:

treat students and others involved in the disruption with normal courtesy

decline, politely, to enter into argument (whether with those involved in the disruption or those not involved or opposed) over the rights and wrongs of the case

keep College plans confidential - do not divulge information to those NOT involved in the disruption or to staff unconnected with the action

refer all enquiries for information, from staff, students or others, to official announcements

refer all enquiries from the press to the Communications and Publicity Office - present this as an attempt to be helpful

do not take risks but act purposefully and where necessary quickly

if possible, do not allow yourself to be pushed or jostled - if necessary announce clearly what you will be doing and do it

do not attempt your own counter-occupation - if possible secure rooms and leave in an orderly fashion.

2 How to act if disruption is about to take place in your area:

secure all doors

secure all confidential papers in locked cabinets, possibly removing the most sensitive items

close down all computers - if action is not imminent, keep one open for messages.

On receiving the order to vacate accommodation:

close down all computers, lock all cabinets, close all windows

all leave together, most senior officer last

secure all doors.

BBC Glasgow is occupied

2009-01-25T18:51:00.003Z

BBC HEADQUARTERS OCCUPIED IN SCOTLAND

Over 100 supporters of Scottish Stop the War Coalition and Palestinian groups
have occupied the BBC headquaters in Glasgow. They say they will not end their
occupation until the BBC has reversed its decision not to broadcast an
emergency aid appeal for Gaza. The protestors are demanding to meet with a
senior representative of the BBC.

Keith Boyd, one of the protesters occupying BBC Scotland's HQ, can be contacted
on: 07912348366

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Andrew Burgin
07939 242 229
Press Office
Stop the War Coalition
27 Britannia Street
London WC1X 9JP
www.stopwar.org.uk

An analysis of BBC's biased coverage of Israel/Palestine:

http://www.glasgowmediagroup.org/content/view/4/2/

Message of solidarity from Avi Shlaim

2009-01-25T16:17:00.003Z

We are collecting messages of solidarity for a newsletter - do e-mail us! :)

To the Students of the LSE

These are very dark days for the long-suffering Palestinians. Israel's savage assault on the defenceless people of Gaza pushed them to the verge of a humanitarian catastrophe. The one-sided carnage has temporarily stopped but the economic blockade, the oppression, and the occupation continue. Only sustained international pressure, including trade sanctions and an arms embargo, can put an end to Israel's criminal conduct.
But there is no leadership worthy of the name. Our government is morally bankrupt. It is pusillanimous and feeble and completely out of touch with public opinion. If there was ever a time for direct action, this is the time. And if there was ever an issue that called for a firm moral stand, Gaza is that issue.
I salute you on the brave and altruistic stand that you have taken on behalf of the people of Gaza. I admire your courage and your commitment.
You have my unqualified sympathy and support in your struggle for justice for the Palestinian people.

Avi Shlaim, Oxford

Please complain to the BBC for not airing Emergency Committe Gaza Crisis Appeal

2009-01-24T15:44:00.000Z

Just got this e-mail:

I'm sure you have heard about the BBC's decision not to broadcast the Disasters Emergency Committee Gaza Crisis Appeal. This is absolutely appalling and this must be changed.

There is a protest at the moment outside the BBC in Portland Place, sod's law that is on my train line but the trains are out...bastard Transport for London.

Anyway, please please try and make the protest and if not ring or telephone the BBC.

The telephone is 03700 100222, if you ring, make sure you leave contact details and say you WANT a response from the BBC.

However I urge you to complain online: http://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/

It's very easy, just follow the steps. Make sure you leave your email so the BBC respond to your complaint. Also, copy and paste your complaint before you send it off, in case the page expires.

Below is my complaint, feel free to use it, please change it a bit so it doesn't look suspect.

The reason it is not in paragraphs, is because when you send it off, it cannot be formatted.

I am appalled and disgusted by the BBC's decision to not broadcast the DEC Gaza Crisis Appeal. The justifications provided by the BBC are simply not valid or good enough. The argument by the BBC that there are 'question marks about the delivery of aid' is not a justification for not showing the DEC appeal. That there may be difficulties in getting aid to recipients is true of any emergency appeal. In Burma and places affected by the Tsunami there was often great difficulty in getting aid to the needy, this did not stop the airing of a DEC appeal. The second argument made by the BBC, that the broadcasting of the DEC Gaza Crisis appeal will affect the impartiality of the BBC, is also unjustified and absurd. The situation in Gaza is a humanitarian crisis, there are thousands of people urgently requiring medical attention, medication, food, electricity and other supplies. By refusing to show the DEC Gaza appeal, the BBC has in fact decided to politicise the issue; the very thing the BBC allegedly sought to avoid. The BBC cannot be accused of taking a side in the conflict by showing the DEC appeal; the Palestinians in Gaza are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, the Israelis are not. Additionally I find it deplorable that the BBC has chosen not to follow the example of both ITV and Channel 4 to air the DEC Gaza Crisis Appeal. Similarly the BBC should take heed of the comments of both the International Development Secretary (Douglas Alexander) and the Shadow International Development Secretary (Andrew Mitchell) who have called for the BBC to broadcast the Gaza appeal. I, like many others, wish to know exactly who is responsible for the decision to not broadcast the appeal. As a licence-fee payer, I feel these decision-makers should be held accountable for such an unjustifiable stance. It is not the BBC's right to dictate to the public which appeals should be donated to: the BBC should broadcast the Gaza appeal and allow viewers to decide individually whether they will contribute money to the cause. However it appears the BBC's Israel-centric reporting of the crisis in Gaza has now extended to the decision-making sphere. Over the last month, the BBC's coverage of the situation in Gaza has been deplorable, the BBC has become a platform for Israeli propaganda with Israeli spokespersons peddling the official Israeli line without much question or accountability. The BBC has tried to paint the situation in Gaza as a 'war' between two equal parties, both suffering and both to blame: this has been grossly inaccurate and misleading for the viewer. Even programmes such as Newsnight have failed in terms of fair reporting of the situation, with presenters having an insufficient grasp of the subject matter in order to question effectively the allegations, claims and propaganda of Israeli spokespersons. Similarly coverage of protests in London against the Israeli onslaught has been dominated by stories of violence and rioting - such occurences were on a small-scale and the participants were only a fraction of the protestors, yet they received much more coverage than the main protests. It is somewhat ironic that the BBC is arguing that the DEC Gaza Crisis Appeal should not be shown so as not to jeopardise the BBC's impartiality, when the BBC has flouted rules of impartiality so many times over the last month in its reporting of the crisis in Gaza. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is very grave and the broadcasting of the DEC Gaza Crisis Appeal could do much to raise funds and alleviate the suffering of 1.5 million Palestinians in Gaza. I would strongly urge the BBC to show the DEC Gaza Crisis Appeal or else risk losing all public confidence in the institution.

E-mail sent to all LSE students and staff - including all correspondence

2009-01-24T15:39:00.002Z

Just realised that I hadn't put this in. The school and the occupation committee will draft a longer and more detailed version of this to be sent out soon as far as I'm aware.

Statement from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

22 January 2009

Resolution of the Old Theatre occupation

We, the ‘Occupation Group’ and the School, are pleased to announce that the occupation of the Old Theatre in protest against Israeli action in Gaza, and to demand greater School support for Palestinian students ended at 20.30 on 21 January, by mutual consent.

The School’s Director, Howard Davies, has said of the crisis in Gaza: “I well understand the concerns felt by many students about the events in Gaza. It is painful to observe the suffering of the civilian population. Like Professor Trainor of Universities UK, who speaks for the sector as a whole, I supported calls for an end to the conflict. As he has said, many of the casualties have occurred in educational establishments. Wherever in the world scholars or their institutions are threatened, or their lives are disrupted by conflict, I believe all parties should respect the integrity of scholarship and intellectual and academic freedom and should work to minimise suffering”.

During the occupation several letters were exchanged (see weblinks below) and meetings held between the students and the School’s administration. Agreement on the following issues raised by students was reached.

Ethical investment/divestment

o The School’s Council had asked a working party looking into socially responsible investment strategies to consider the aspect of ‘engagement’. The working party is content to receive proposals from the student body concerning divestment from companies implicated in the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories.
o Students’ concern about the School’s investment policy will be reported to Council and a paper by students on ethical investment policy will also be presented.

Scholarships for Palestinian students
o Application fees will be waived for those in Gaza and the West Bank directly affected by the conflict.
o A Palestinian Territories country page on the LSE website will detail all relevant scholarships and advertise pre-departure events for offer-holders.
o Fund raising and recruitment strategy will be developed by the Financial Support Office, the Office of Development and Alumni Relations and the Students Union Palestine Society.

Support for Palestinian Universities
o The LSE will work with the students to exploit the disposal of books and computers either by School-funded direct shipping or through recycling companies that support charitable aims whichever is most beneficial.

Humanitarian assistance
o A high impact and widely publicised fundraising day in support of Medical Aid for Palestinians will be held, jointly sponsored by the Students Union and the School.

A more detailed statement of these agreements covering practical implementation will be taken forward early next week and made public.

The full correspondence between the Director and the group which recently occupied the Old Theatre is now available online at http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/meetthedirector/pdf/occupation-correspondence.pdf

Free play about Gaza

2009-01-24T14:17:00.003Z

Caryl Churchill has written a 10 minute long free play about Gaza which will be performed in the Royal Court theatre in London.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2009/jan/24/theatre-gaza-caryl-churchill-royal-court-seven-jewish-children

"The play will be performed nightly at 9pm between 6 and 21 February after Marius von Mayenburg's The Stone. Tickets will be available from the box office (020 7565 5000) - not online - from Monday."

Manchester Met Occupation ended

2009-01-23T22:40:00.002Z

Just received an e-mail. Going out now so if anyone has more info please post a comment.

Breaking News - Cambridge University occupied

2009-01-23T20:53:00.004Z

Solidarity from LSE!

A group of more than one hundred Cambridge students are staging a peaceful occupation of the Cambridge University Law Faculty in protest of the situation in Gaza.

Their blog: http://cambridgegazasolidarity.blogspot.com/

OCCUPATION CAMBRIDGE

Cambridge Occupation of the Law Faculty: Student Demands

1. We demand that Cambridge University issue a statement which condemns: Israel’s action in Gaza; the Israeli blockade of Gaza; and the continued Israeli presence in Gaza and the West Bank. This statement is to be issued in solidarity with international peace movements, in particular those in Israel and Palestine.
2. We demand that Cambridge University provide academic aid, particularly books, computers and financial support to universities in Gaza.
3. We demand that Cambridge University commit to a day of fundraising for humanitarian aid in Gaza within the next two weeks, as part of an ongoing commitment to financial support for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
4. We demand that Cambridge University grant a minimum of ten scholarships to Palestinian students every year.
5. We demand that Cambridge University and its colleges disinvest from the arms trade in cooperation with the existing Cambridge (and colleges) Against the Arms Trade movement.
6. We demand that no student will face punishment or repercussions, legal or otherwise, for participating in this demonstration.

Breaking News - Bristol, Nottingham, Kingston and Salford in occupation

2009-01-23T19:13:00.004Z

These are now confirmed.

Also:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/jan/23/student-protests-gaza

Bradford Students' Union votes to support the occupations

2009-01-23T18:42:00.003Z

http://www.ubuonline.co.uk/news/index.php?page=article&news_id=46625

Video of LSE, SOAS and King's occupations

2009-01-23T15:39:00.001Z

Breaking News - Manchester in occupation

2009-01-23T14:51:00.002Z

More info soon

Illegal tactics against Manchester Met occupation

2009-01-22T22:01:00.003Z

The occupied space in Manchester Met is being blockaded by security. People are allowed out but not in. No food is being allowed in.

Send messages of protest against the tactics used by Uni management to:
john.brooks@mmu.ac.uk

and messages of support to
mmuoccupation@gmail.com

Cool video about the LSE occupation

2009-01-22T20:03:00.002Z

Not on youtube because it's high quality, check it out!!

Click here

Birmingham's statement on illegal police eviction

2009-01-22T19:59:00.002Z

After successfully occupying room LR4 in the Arts Building for 12 hours yesterday those occupying were forced to leave the room at about 9pm last night due to the exceptionally heavy handed approach taken by the University of Birmingham. The University of Birmingham threatened to remove the occupants with force forewarning them that they would be in “breach of the peace” if they did not leave the building. During negotiations of our demands the entrance to the room was then compromised by security guards and police making it impossible to maintain a secure hold on the room. After accepting a meeting with the Vice Chancellor to discuss the demands the occupants finally left chanting “FREE FREE Palestine”. Outside the building there were 2 police vans and numerous police cars, proving that The University of Birmingham was prepared to use such an extreme level of force against its students conducting a peaceful protest.

The University clearly do not want any form of activist student movement on campus, but the support from students and other members of the University yesterday shows that this is not the end of the campaign. It is crucial to remain in solidarity with the cause and keep fighting until the demands are met.

The meeting with the Vice Chancellor will be held on Thursday 22nd January at 9.45 am until 10.15 am, please listen out for further developments on the demands and future actions [to be reported above].

STUDENTS FOR A FREE PALESTINE!

Oxford declares victory

2009-01-22T19:55:00.006Z

PRESS RELEASE

Students at the University of Oxford have ended their successful occupation of the historic Clarendon building at the Bodleian, Britain’s largest university library, in solidarity with the occupied Palestinian people in Gaza. The building was taken over by nearly 100 students, backed by dozens of supporters amongst the university community and numerous Oxford-based civil society organisations. This action was part of a large wave of student occupations launched across the UK. Similar victories have already been achieved in SOAS and LSE.

The occupation began at 12 noon and ended at 7pm on Thursday January 22, following negotiations with the Proctors of the University. An agreement has been reached on all of the student’s substantive demands and the full details of the agreement will be publicly released next week.

Juliette Harkin states: “we consider this to be a major step in promoting justice for Palestine within the British academic community.” According to Omar Al Shehabi, a student at Pembroke College, “this is a truly great achievement. The war crimes of the Israeli apartheid regime in Gaza must be confronted by international civil society.”

Honor Brabazon, a student at University College, notes that “this wave of actions, including our victorious occupation in Oxford, will contribute to raising awareness and mobilisation in solidarity with Palestine.”

Mohammad Madi of Trinity College emphasises that “this is a victory for human rights activism in Oxford and it is an expression of the British academic community’s solidarity with the besieged and occupied Palestinian people of Gaza. We have received a remarkable response from academics and students in Oxford and beyond.”

James Norrie, a student at Wadham College, comments: “we salute fellow students who have conducted occupations in other universities including SOAS, LSE, King’s, Sussex, Manchester Metropolitan, Birmingham, Leeds, Essex, and Warwick. Their actions demonstrate that students can play a pivotal role in promoting universal principles and in supporting the occupied people of Palestine. We would hope that similar actions would be undertaken in universities worldwide.”

Contacts:
Juliette Harkin +44 (0) 774081-8376 juliette.harkin@sant.ox.ac.uk
Omar Al Shehabi +44 (0) 796657-0155 omar.alshehabi@pmb.ox.ac.uk

Note to Editors:
Future updates will posted on http://occupiedoxford.wordpress.com

Breaking News - Leeds under occupation

2009-01-22T19:48:00.002Z

At 4.30pm today around 30 people occupied the Botany House building (near the Student Union) at Leeds University in protest against the attacks on Gaza.

Our initial demands are:

University

* Open the books to show which companies that back the Israeli state the Uni is investing in and/or receiving funding from.
* Disinvestment from said companies
* To Release a statement condemning the Israeli state's attacks and blockade on Gaza
* Surplus resources (computers, books etc) to be sent to students in Gaza
* Scholarships for at least five Gazan students to study in Leeds
* No repercussion, legal or otherwise for activists

Political

* We call on the government to condemn the Israeli state's attacks and blockade on Gaza
* To expel the Israeli ambassador from the UK
* For Israeli diplomats to lose their diplomatic status and be tried for their part in the attaks
* Demand the government does not send any military support to assist in the blockade or attacks on Gaza

We stand in full solidarity with the Gazan people and protestors around the world, including the occupiers at other universities.

We call on students from the university and the met, school and college students and members of the public from across Leeds to join us in the occupied space!

Breaking News - Manchester Met in occupation

2009-01-22T15:26:00.002Z

Just received the following in an e-mail:

MMU Students are currently in occupation of the Geoffrey Manton building. We are occupying the building in solidarity with the people of Gaza and to stand up to imperialism in the Middle East. We have issued the following set of demands to the Vice-Chancellor because we believe in delivering concrete solidarity for the people of Palestine.

Demands of MMU students in occupation in solidarity with Gaza.

1) Issue a public statement condemning Israel's attack on Palestinian educational institutions, including the bombing of the Islamic University of Gaza, and encourage your colleagues in the other Universities to issue a similar call.

2) Establish an emergency fund for Palestinians students from Gaza and waive their tuition fees to support their efforts to acquire an education.

3) Waive all application & tuition fees from students coming from Palestine and create scholarships specifically available for Palestinian students.

4) To build links with Palestinian universities.

5) Divest MMU funds from all firms contributing to the Israeli war effort.

6) To create a proper memorial to Tom Hurndall, a MMU student murdered by the Israeli Occupation forces in Gaza.

7) To sever all academic links with Israeli institutions that don’t oppose the continued occupation of Palestine.

8) That the Students’ Union should allow political posters to be displayed on its windows/noticeboards/walls.

9) That no military recruiters should be allowed on campus.

10) That the University should boycott Coca-Cola and stop the sale of it in all its outlets.

11) That there should be no repercussions for anyone involved in the occupation of MMU buildings.

If agree with solidarity with Gaza and that is the duty of people in Britain and our academic institutions to speak out against invasions, massacres and genocide then join us in our liberated space in Geoffrey Manton.

As agreed on 22/01/2009.

Article in the Guardian - best one yet

2009-01-22T15:06:00.004Z

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/jan/22/studentpolitics-londonschoolofeconomics

also:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/7844890.stm

Breaking News - Oxford and Newcastle in occupation

2009-01-22T13:33:00.004Z

Students from Oxford and Newcastle universities have gone into occupation. More information soon.

Also:

Birmingham students have been forcefully evicted from their occupation by police, which is illegal. More information soon.

Press release - LSE occupation ends in victory as more universities begin occupations

2009-01-22T13:09:00.003Z

LSE OCCUPATION ENDS IN VICTORY AS MORE UNIVERSITIES BEGIN OCCUPATIONS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Students at the London School of Economics have ended their seven-day occupation of a lecture theatre after winning all of their demands.

Following negotiations between the students and the university, LSE Director and former head of the UK Financial Services Authority Howard Davies will now make a public statement about Israeli bombing of academic institutions.

The LSE had already agreed to waiver application fees and provide scholarships for application fees for students affected by the Israeli Occupation and to facilitate a charity collection for Medical Aid for Palestine.

The university did not agree to instruct its fund managers to divest from BAe but it did agree to seriously consider a paper presented by the Students' Union about a divestment-based ethical investment policy, something that the administration previously said would not be part of a future policy.

Over 350 students heard a public lecture in the occupied theatre by Tony Benn in support of the occupation on Friday. Other notable speakers included George Galloway, Lindsey German and Jews for Justice member Dan Judelson. Mira Hammad, one of the occupying students, spoke to a crowd of 10,000 at Trafalgar Square to urge other universities to take part.

The group occupied the Old Theatre at the London School of Economics on Thursday afternoon. Academic lectures were allowed to continue on the condition that the students were allowed to hold a two-minute presentation before the start of each lecture. Several external events were moved, despite the protestors' agreement to let them continue.

SOAS and LSE were the first universities to have started occupations. Other universities that have since followed with their own occupations include Essex, King's, Birmingham, Sussex, Warwick, Oxford and Newcastle.

A spokesperson for the group said,

"Nothing we could have said or done would have been enough given the scale of the suffering inflicted on the people of Gaza by the Israeli military but we have achieved a huge victory for Palestinian students and for student activism. That we pressured LSE Director Howard Davies into issuing a public statement is a massive success but given the LSE's history it shouldn't have taken an occupation to achieve this. We look forward to meeting the new Palestinian students that our successes on application fees and scholarships will bring to the LSE.

We encourage students and workers everywhere to have the confidence to take similar actions."

NOTES TO EDITORS

1) Please view our previous press releases for more information. http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com/2009/01/press-release.html
http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com/2009/01/press-release_19.html

2) The identity of other universities who will start occupations is being kept secret. Contact us: lseoccupation@googlemail.com

3) For more information on the SOAS occupation: soassolidarity4gaza.blogspot.com

4) For more information on the Essex occupation: http://www.visitpalestine.asia/page.cfm/id/98207

5) For the motion on Gaza passed by the Students' Union: http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com/2009/01/student-union-passes-motion-condemning.html

6) The video of Mira's speech can be found here: http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com/2009/01/lse-students-to-speak-at-trafalgar.html

Gig for Gaza videos now up

2009-01-21T21:10:00.000Z

During the three hour event we have raised £122.56 for Medical Aid for Palestine!

Plus a spontaneous poetry reading among the LSEoccupiers:

New, unconnected group set up in solidarity with occupation!

2009-01-21T21:00:00.002Z

We have just received this leaflet. We thank whoever has set this up for their solidarity.

From: lsesolidarity@yahoo.co.uk

It reads:

Please sign our petition – stop ID checks at the LSE now! http://www.petitiononline.com/LSEID/petition.html
Refuse ID checks. Meet at 1pm on Thursday, 22.1 on the 4th floor of the Old Building , between the elevators outside the restaurant. We will cross over to the East building via the airwalk and back refusing to be ID-checked.

Dear students and colleagues,

Tensions are running high at the moment on campus. This atmosphere affects all members of the School community and not merely those who are directly involved in current political disputes. But please let us explain why.

As some of you may know, a group of security guards has been occupying the LSE campus since Tuesday.

There is nothing to be gained from the ID card checks conducted by these security guards. The LSE administration will hypocritically allow just about anyone to enter some of the school's venues (such as the Three Tuns) provided they are prepared to consume. However when it comes to entering a space in which people are fighting for what they believe in, access is suddenly restricted. Our campus now resembles an occupied zone with ID card checks almost at every corner. We know that the security guards in place are outsourced by private security firms and we have nothing against them in person. We understand that the administration has ordered this in order for the students that have taken over the Old Theatre to be intimidated and for the LSE community to turn against them.

We stand by our students, we support their peaceful actions and we tell the administration: These students have taken over the Old Theatre (else, the Theatre of the Old) because they come from the future. You’d better listen to and respect what they have to say.

The occupation of the LSE by security guards has now reached the point where it is disrupting teaching and learning. We must also consider the welfare of students, some of whom have told us of their distress at the constant ID checks. So the School’s community must bring this occupation to an end now before further discussions are held.

We call for peaceful action against ID checks. Meet at 1pm on Thursday, 22.1, on the fourth floor of the Old Building outside the restaurant. We will cross over to the East Building via the airwalk and back refusing to be ID-checked. In all cases, refuse to show your ID - there is nothing in the school's regulation requiring you to do so!

To the school administration we return its own words:

“We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause and hope you understand. We are taking all reasonable steps to bring the school’s occupation to a close.”

LSE staff and students in solidarity with the students at the Theatre of the Old

King's occupation featured in Guardian

2009-01-21T16:52:00.003Z

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/jan/21/kingscollegelondon-gaza-protest

Breaking news - Warwick in occupation

2009-01-21T15:44:00.003Z

Solidarity from the LSE!

Student Sit-In in Solidarity with Victims of the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Warwick University students have claimed a space on campus as an act in solidarity with the innocent victims in Gaza and Israel, and with the other groups in the UK which have taken similar action.

We call on our University to suspend dealings with businesses which support Israel’s illegal occupation, such as BAE systems, and to support our fellow students in Palestine who are being denied their right to education.

There will be talks, films, workshops, debates and anything else we can arrange. The occupation of the space will continue until those who are involved decide to end it, and the activities which take place will reflect the wishes of the group. In keeping with our support for the right to education, we will not disrupt lectures, but will maintain a constant presence in the room.

Other universities in the country, including Birmingham, Essex, SOAS, LSE, Sussex and Kings have already seen occupations. Others are planned and will start at any moment. This is an issue which extends far beyond the borders of Warwick, and this occupation and sit-in is undertaken as part of the wider movement. Join us!

Our Demands

1.Warwick University should suspend all relations with companies which supply the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. This includes BAE Systems, MBDA, GE Aviation, QinetiQ and Rolls Royce.

2.That the University donate old computer equipment and textbooks to universities in Palestine, specifically those that were partially destroyed in Gaza during the current Israeli military operation.

3.That the University fund and provide logistical support for a series of talks on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

http://warwicksolidaritysitin.wordpress.com/

Press Contact: 07868 398545

warwicksitin@googlemail.com

Today - Gig 4 Gaza - 3 artists, 2 speakers, 1 movie

2009-01-21T11:42:00.002Z

GIG FOR GAZA

IN THE QUAD, TODAY,
12.30PM ONWARDS

Come and enjoy live music in the Quad

We will be raising money and awareness for Gaza

Support the occupation of the Old Theatre

Acts confirmed:

Shadia Mansour (1st lady of Arabian hip hop)

Rob the Rub (Peace not War rapper)

The Kuriev experience (jazz band)

SOAS musicians

We also have Ghada Karmi speaking - a Palestinian Doctor of medicine, author, academic and regular contributor to the Guardian)

The documentary Occupation 101 will also be shown

We hope to see you there

7 days of occupation & videos made about us

2009-01-21T10:09:00.002Z

A lot of progress, but more must be achieved before we leave. Here are two videos made about us!

Breaking news: 83 Sussex University students in occupation

2009-01-20T21:50:00.002Z

Congratulations and solidarity from the LSE!

One of our students went to speak and show solidarity at a meeting of 270, after which 83 students occupied a large lecture theatre.

http://sussexoccupation.blogspot.com/

Their Press release:

Sussex Students for A Free Palestine.

Over 80 University of Sussex Students have occupied a major lecture theatre in solidarity with Palestine under siege.

Motivated by the escalating crisis in Gaza, University of Sussex students have issued a set of demands to the University management calling for immediate action. The occupation is a response to recent Israeli military assault on Gaza. We stand in solidarity with the School of Oriental and African Studies, the London School of Economics, King's College London, Birmingham and Essex Universities. The occupied space will be used for education and dialogue until the following demands are met:

We demand:

1. That the University of Sussex issue a statement condemning the recent and continuing atrocities perpetrated by Israel in the Gaza strip. The University should officially denounce the attacks on civilians, the systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid and the targeting of academic institutions, hospitals, places of worship and international peace keeping facilities.

2. That the University of Sussex cease to invest directly or indirectly in companies complicit in human rights abuses in the Gaza strip and internationally. We would like to draw attention to the motion past on this subject in the USSU AGM this academic year.

3. That no Israeli goods or goods produced by companies that have directly funded the state of Israel be selled on campus. The University of Sussex should remove these goods from all private retail and dining facilities as the Union is endeavoring to accomplish.

4. That the University of Sussex provide complete financial scholarships for three students from Al-Quds Open University in Tubas with which USSU is twined and three students from Gaza University which has been bombed by the Israeli military.

5. That any surplus educational resources available to the University of Sussex are provided to Gaza University and that the shipping of these resources be fully paid for by the University of Sussex.

6. That there be no legal, financial, or academic measures taken against anyone involved in or supporting the occupation. This extends to the Student Union. Students involved will be guaranteed free movement in and out of the occupied space.

This is a non violent and inclusive protest decisions are made on the base of consensus decision making. All University of Sussex students are encouraged to participate in this process. During the occupation we will adhere to the same codes of personal conduct as is expected of us as members of the student community.
Any disruption to our peers' education is expressly against our wishes and we will respect the rights of freedom of speech, freedom of expression and the right to disagree.

Petition in support of the occupation

2009-01-20T21:44:00.004Z

One of the articles in this week's student newspaper talks about an online petition that attracted 40 signatures over 6 days against the occupation.

Two days ago we started a paper petition in response. There are 231 signatures so far (without the publicity of the newspaper of course, or even this blog).

It would take too long to transcribe them - however, all of our signatures are LSE students or staff, compared to 50% of the anti petition. The editor is welcome to come and take a look.

Link to King's and Birmingham blogs

2009-01-20T19:09:00.007Z

One of us just visited King's College to show our solidarity. They are very well organised and were just about to start a planning meeting. My advice that they should concentrate on the media seems to be unnecessary - look at their blog! Solidarity from the LSE.

http://kcloccupation.blogspot.com/

http://birminghamoccupation.wordpress.com/

Birmingham's demands:

We would also like to make several demands of the Vice-Chancellor and Senate of the University of Birmingham, the achievement of which is part of the aims of this occupation. These demands, to which we
expect a formal response, are as follows:

1) That the university corporate issue a statement (i) condemning the massive breach of the human rights and the indiscriminate killing and injuring of the people of Gaza during the ongoing military operation
(ii) condemning the deliberate destruction of educational infrastructure in Gaza (iii) condemning the denial of the right to education for Palestinians and Israelis (iv) calling for an end to the illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories (v) calling for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador in protest at the contempt demonstrated by Israel for international law and human rights during the current military offensive (vi) calling on the British government to provide urgent aid and medical assistance to the people of Gaza.

2) That the university actively support the ’Birmingham-Ramallah Twinning Initiative’, part of which involves twinning the university with a university in Ramallah.

3) That the university divest from the Barclays Global Investment index, a pooled fund with a high level of investment in arms companies, specifically BAE Systems, which supply weapons to the Israeli military.

4) That the university implicitly recognise the separate identity of Palestinian students who come to Birmingham in all the services and facilities available to them (at the moment Palestinian students are not administratively separate from Israeli students).

5) That the university donate old computer equipment and textbooks to universities in Palestine, specifically those that were partially destroyed in Gaza during the current Israeli military operation.

6) That the university provide material support to Palestinian students who wish to study at Birmigham, both by waiving the fees of students already here now and by increasing the numbers of scholarships and
studentships available to those who may wish to study here in the future.

7) That the university withdraw all goods produced illegally by Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories from university retail and catering outlets.

8) That the university close any accounts with Lloyds TSB and withold a renewal of their lease on campus in protest at their instructing the Islamic Bank of Britain, in their capacity as a clearing bank, to terminate the account of Interpal, a charity which raises funds to aid the population of the occupied Palestinian territories.

9) That the university should accomodate and fund a public lecture on these issues open and free to all members of the university and the public.

Our response to Davies's letter

2009-01-20T16:53:00.009Z

Today the newest edition of our university newspaper came out. Unfortunately their research did not include our responses to Davies's letters. Here is our response to Davies's latest letter. Since then, both parties stopped letter correspondence and we have held two meetings so far.

Students' response dated 18th Jan 2009

Dear George,

We were slightly surprised at the response we received this afternoon in Howard Davies’ last letter; especially after a productive meeting with you in the morning and again in the evening with Paul Thornbury also present. Indeed we were particularly surprised after having presented a number of compromises on our part only to see that some of these were rejected offhand and others simply ignored. Nonetheless there are a number of practical points that we feel that if committed to by the directorate we would feel able to dismantle the occupation. We sincerely hope that this can be achieved quickly.

We would like to reiterate very clearly that we wish to remain in occupation for as short a time as possible. With such an objective in mind we would like to address your points in order and clarify our demands; the satisfactory resolution of which would result in us leaving the Old Theatre. We hope that your invitation of a meeting with relevant members of the Directorate still stands. We would like the following notes to form a framework for any such meeting so to ensure that all those in attendance can bring the relevant information and have clear positions from which we can come to agreeable commitments. As we have said in person, promises of further meetings which fail to offer assured commitments will not allow us to end the occupation.

Statement: As opposed to a statement condemning the attacks themselves we would be willing to accept the publication of a statement condemning the bombing of Gaza’s Education infrastructure. This should include mention of the bombing of Gaza’s Education Ministry and its only university; depriving over 20,000 students of their access to higher education and the bombing of two United Nations schools, including Asma elementary school on 6th January 2009 killing 40 Palestinians, many of them children. A condemnation of this act has already been approved by the LSE SU on Thursday 15th of January. Considering the rapidity with which a statement was produced opposing the UCU boycott on a discussion of the academic boycott of Israel, we expect a statement could be produced with similar speed. The statement should be displayed on the front page of the LSE website.

Divestment: Howard’s previous letter claims to have ‘clarified the situation on the school’s investments’; however we would be grateful if the specific questions we asked in our previous letter could indeed be clarified rather than sidelined. Given that it has proven possible for the LSE to ascertain where the Barclays tracker fund invests its cash, can the LSE investigate whether Barclays invests in any other arms companies that supply Israel, as listed on the Campaign Against the Arms Trade website.

After four years of investigating ‘investment strategy’, we agree that the school should ‘reach an agreed position as soon as possible’. In order to move forward we would suggest that Howard submit a report to Council expressing the widespread student dissatisfaction at the Schools’ investment policy and the importance of a School commitment to ethical investment. We also request that we be allowed to submit a statement to Council regarding ethical investment and that this statement be voted on in a secret ballot.

Scholarships: We were delighted at your confirmation this morning that the waiving of application fees to those ‘directly affected by the conflict’ extends to the West Bank.
1) We request this be displayed prominently on the LSE website, so as to encourage applications from Palestine, helping to address the problem of ‘underrepresented areas’, which Howard implied the School is working hard to combat. This waiving of fees should be applied until Palestinian students are properly represented within the LSE community, something we are sure would complement the goals of LSE as an inclusive institution. Howard suggest that the ‘problem is not the shortage of scholarship funds on which we have given assurances, [but] it is as you say the shortage of applicants’. We were somewhat confused by this statement as we said nothing of the sort in any of our correspondence. As we have made clear the LSE Palestine Solidarity Initiative was set up to encourage applications and can certainly provide the School with five more than suitable applicants for scholarships. In this case, as we have repeatedly noted, this initiative appears only to require the bringing together of our separate pieces of the puzzle to benefit all parties.
2) In the spirit of moving forward with this scheme we request a firm commitment that the LSE-PSI, LSE Palestine Society, Adrian Hall, Phil Wood (the Middle East recruitment officer) and ODAR will meet at regular intervals in order to create suitable scholarships and monitor the progress of applications.

Fundraising Day: Rather than overall organisation by the School as we originally suggested, we would be willing to accept that a single global email be sent by the school to lecturers and staff informing them that a collection for Medical Aid for Palestinians will be conducted on one day in week 3 of Lent Term. There will be buckets with the LSE and MAP logo on in every lecture and seminar. These can be provided by RAG and we can arrange for them to be placed throughout the school.

Computers and Books: We were confused that your initial letter seemed to suggest that this request could be easily facilitated. In our second letter we asked for you to confirm that shipping costs could be met by the schools - without which the project could almost certainly not take place. There was no response with regards to this in your letter. As such we would like to reiterate our request a commitment by the school to aid in shipping costs.

We hope that this has clarified our position. We will continue not to disrupt student’s curricula lectures, but engage in the peaceful and democratic tradition of student activism that the LSE should be proud of.

We were disappointed that the compromises we had made from our original demands have not been properly addressed or in some cases even considered by the school, but we hope that the concessions we have outlined in this letter will be used by the School to make positive inroads as soon as possible. With a suitable resolution we are more than willing to end the Occupation.

Kind regards,
Old Theatre Occupation

Jeremy Corbyn MP videos now up

2009-01-20T16:39:00.003Z

Jeremy Corbyn MP came to speak at the occupied space in support of the LSE student occupation on 6pm Monday night.

He said about the occupation:

"Well done for what you're doing, because even if numbers are limited and you get unwarranted intrusions by people who are looking for things that aren't here and won't find mainly because they're not here, I want to say thanks very much. It does mean an awful lot to people in other colleges and universities and from all over, that students from the LSE which has such a huge reputation and a huge name around the world, have taken action in support of the people of Palestine."

Breaking News - King's and Birmingham start occupation

2009-01-20T11:30:00.002Z

40 Students have have occupied a lecture theatre in solidarity with Gaza. Their main demand is for the university to revoke Shimon Peres's honorary doctorate.

Their website is http://kcloccupation.blogspot.com

Representatives have just visited the LSE occupation and given them a leaflet that says:

JOIN THE OCCUPATION - FREE GAZA - Room K231

This peaceful protest does not intend to disrupt the normal course of lectures.

Our demands

- King's College London should issue a formal statement condemning Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip.

- Shimon Peres's honorary doctorate be immediately revoked by King's College London

- King's College London should provide five fully-funded scholarships to Palestinian students

- King's College London should facilitate a cross-campus fundraising day to raise money for the crisis in Gaza. This [money] should be sent to the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians.

- King's College London should establish links with universities and other educational institutions affected by the crisis in Gaza in solidarity with their plight.

- King's College London should present us with a transparent list of investments in the arms trade, particularly those in GKN. King's College should divest immediately from the arms trade.

- Any old books, computers or other unwanted teaching/administrative resources should as soon as possible or at the end of this term be donated to universities or schools in the Gaza strip that have been affected by Israel's attack.

- There should be no repercussions for any students involved in this protest. Universities should be a place where freedom of expression is encouraged, and the student movement in the UK and around the world has a proud tradition of organising protest actions, whether against South African Apartheid or the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

More information about the Birmingham occupation soon!

4 Prominent speakers to support the occupation today!

2009-01-20T11:09:00.004Z

11:30am - 1pm

Jenny Tonge
Baroness and former Liberal Democrat MP

Moshe Machover
Israeli Professor of Philosophy in the University of London

Haim Bresheeth
Chair of Media and Cultural Studies, Deputy Dean of UEL

Prof. Paul Gilroy
Professor of Sociology at the LSE

Press Release

2009-01-19T16:49:00.002Z

LSE OCCUPATION CONTINUES INTO FIFTH DAY AS OTHER UNIVERSITIES START PROTESTS

Students occupying a lecture theatre at the London School of Economics have continued their demonstration in to the fifth day.

Over fourty students started the occupation in solidarity with Palestine last Thursday afternoon demanding that the LSE condemns Israeli aggression, divests from BAE, a firm that arms Israel, and provides material support for Palestinians. The students are demanding that the LSE waivers application fees and provides more scholarships for Palestinian students, sends surplus computers and books to Palestine and facilitates a cross-campus collection for Medical Aid for Palestine.

The move came after the Students' Union voted to condemn Israel for the attacks on Gaza.

The occupation has attracted several high profile speakers including Tony Benn, George Galloway, Lindsey German and Alex Callinicos to rallies and public lectures inside the occupied theatre. The line-up of speakers for Tuesday includes Baroness Jenny Tonge, Haim Bresheeth, Moshe Machover and Paul Gilroy.

Tony Benn endorsed the occupation, "May I congratulate you all for having organised this occupation. I have seen the statement of intent that you have made and I agree with it one hundred percent." He said, "Don't think that you're an isolated little group at the LSE. In my judgement I believe there is mass support for what you are doing from all over the world."

Over 350 students attended the lecture with Tony Benn. Since its start, the core group of the occupation has doubled to about 80 students, with dozens more coming in daily to express their support.

One of the students, Mira Hammad, addressed 10.000 people at Saturday's Trafalgar Square rally. "Now, this is the age of human rights, this is the age when we stand up for the people who have no voice, we are giving a voice to the silenced," she said, adding, "We urge all students: Forget NUS, forget the government. Stand up yourselves, and make a statement: Start the movement now"

George Galloway expressed his support for the occupation outside the occupied theatre today, "I want to thank you on the action that you have taken, rescuing the honour of the London School of Economics. It has been dishonoured by the silence of Howard Davies in the face of the war crime involved in the deliberate destruction and bombardment of the Islamic University in Gaza.", he said.

The group has received messages of support from LSE Staff against the war, a large number of academics and students from other universities and members of the public. Over 350 LSE students have signed a petition in support of the occupation.

Occupations have also been taking place at SOAS and Essex Universities and other student groups plan to start occupations in the coming days.

The group today expressed optimism that the School is close to meeting their demands. A spokesperson said, "The School appears to have agreed in principle to our reasonable demands regarding providing support for Palestinians. We look forward to meeting with them to discuss the details of the support the LSE community can provide and our request that they issue a statement and divest from BAE. Unfortunately, they are currently arguing that they will not speak with us further until the occupation has ended. This is unsatisfactory to us as in the past they have used this tactic to avoid making firm commitments. We hope to meet with them shortly."

The spokesperson added, "LSE is an institution founded on the Fabian values that were the precursor of the human rights agenda of modern politics. LSE must restate those values and condemn state criminality. It is not a matter of politics, it is a matter of humanity. For an academic institution to profit from firms that arm Israel is unacceptable."

NOTES TO EDITORS

1) Please view our blog for updates and past news releases. http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com/
2) The identity of other universities who will start occupations is being kept secret. Contact us: lseoccupation@googlemail.com
3) For more information on the SOAS occupation: http://soassolidarity4gaza.blogspot.com/
4) For more information on the Essex occupation: http://www.visitpalestine.asia/page.cfm/id/98207
5) For the motion on Gaza passed by the Students' Union: http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com/2009/01/student-union-passes-motion-condemning.html
6) The video of Mira's speech can be found here: http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com/2009/01/lse-students-to-speak-at-trafalgar.html
7) The video of Tony Benn's speech can be found here: http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com/2009/01/videos-now-uploaded-tony-benn-lindsey.html
8) The video of George Galloway's speech can be found here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=22IMP8EbgFg&feature=channel_page

Message of Solidarity from Ilan Pappe

2009-01-19T14:54:00.003Z

Dear Charlotte,

first of all i would like to convey once more my solidarity and great repsect for the commitment you and your comrades are showing in this struggle for peace and justice and against war crimes and inhumanity.

Alas i am afraid that these are my teaching days in Exeter. Now of course one should at time give up even teaching in the face of attrocities, but this would violate in my case the hospitaltiy of a univeristy that opened its gates for me when i was chased out of Israel. It is part of the problem of not living in London. we are doing our best here in exeter, but hopefully in a more pre-planned way, i will be very happy to talk about the issue in front of your group in an occupied or liberated hall!

Yours,

Ilan Pappe

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Ilan Pappe, born in Haifa in 1954 is currently a Chair in the Department of History, the University of Exeter and a co-director of the Exeter Center for Ethno-Political Studies. He was the academic head and founder of the Institute for Peace studies in Givat Haviva Israel (1992-2000) and the Chair of the Emil Touma Institute for Palestinian Studies in Haifa (2000-2008).

Pappe is a both a professional historian and a human rights’ activist who believes that commitment and professionalism do not necessarily clash, but rather reinforce each other.

He wrote extensively on the 1948 Nakbah and is regarded as one of Israel ‘new historians’ who challenged the official Zionist version of events.

Pappe has also written on the Modern Middle East, multiculturalism and historiography.

Rally with Galloway a success, more speakers tomorrow - Press release

2009-01-19T13:35:00.007Z

GEORGE GALLOWAY MP AND DAN JEWELSON OF JEWS FOR JUSTICE SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE OCCUPATION

Students have organised a rally with prominent speakers on the fifth day of the sit-in occupation they are holding in a lecture theatre of the LSE.

George Galloway MP spoke at 11am in support of the occupation. He said: “I want to thank you on the action that you have taken, rescuing the honour of the London School of Economics. It has been dishonoured by the silence of Howard Davies in the face of the war crime involved in the deliberate destruction and bombardment of the Islamic University in Gaza."

He expressed his support for all the demands that the students have put forward and invited LSE students to send a truck with donated goods on an envoy he is leading to Gaza.

A representative of Jews for Justice, Dan Jewelson, also addressed the 100-strong rally attended by students from across London. "Every single bomb is an election leaflet for Kadima", he said.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1) For frequent updates: http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com

2) Full text of Galloway's speech:

"To wilfully destroy an academic jewel in the desert which Israel has reduced the Gaza strip to is a crime even by Israel’s standards, which one woul d have thought that every person in academic life in every country would have unreservedly condemned. And the fact that this great institution, known throughout the world, has on the official level been silent, would have been a scandal. Those of you who have occupied a part of the school have rescued the honour and the name of the LSE. Congratulations to all of you for that.

“One of your demands is divestment from the weapons companies, principally British Aerospace. I myself, you may be surprised to know, am a shareholder in British Aerospace. I own precisely one share. And I bought that one share in order to go to the Annual General meeting and disrupt it. That was almost fifteen years ago. I went to disrupt it, because of the corrupt nexus between British Aerospace and the Royal dictatorship in Saudi Arabia. And here they are, both back in the picture again. Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the other Arab dictatorships, the puppet presidents of corrupt kings, who almost without exception rule the Arab world, from one end to the other, are again hand in glove with the armaments companies and with the governments that sponsor them, principally the British and American governments, in this murderous assault on the people of Palestine under occupation in the West Bank and Gaza.

“It is an outrage that a school of learning should have invested some of its capital in a business whose job is shredding people, incinerating people, destroying things. I know that times are hard in the financial markets but I don’t believe the LSE is so hard-up that it needs to climb into bed with the merchants of death in the British armaments industry.

“All of your other demands of course have the support of the anti-war movement of which I am the vice-President and whose fraternal greetings I bring you today.”

“I want to add a sixth demand of you rather than this occupation. In the next couple of weeks, I will be leading a huge convoy of material aid from London to Gaza. It will be led by two shiny red fire engines donated by the Fire Brigade Union. It will be followed by ambulances and trucks from all the great towns and cities of this country. It will leave London, go through France, Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia , Libya, Egypt and into Gaza through the Rafah checkpoint. If they try to block us at the Rafah checkpoint I tell you these fire engines will drive through the checkpoint in Gaza. That’s a promise from the firefighters who will be driving it.

“I believe that with the spirit and ingenuity for which this LSE is renowned, you can and should aim to have a truck on that convoy from the LSE. If you will, if you can, you have to get down to organising it very quickly indeed. You need to get a truck. You will need to get two drivers. And you need to raise the money for the petrol for the journey. And you need to fill that truck with useful things for the Palestinian people under this savage bombardment.

“You must have seen on the news, now that the cameras are in to Gaza, the moonscape, the earthquake, which has afflicted that already benighted area. They need literally everything – from pyjamas, to pencils, from laptops to bandages, get a truck, fill it with useful things, depute people to come with us on what will be a Great British convoy for the relief of the afflicted in Palestine. I wish you every success.”

Day five begins with George Galloway and Jews for Justice visit

2009-01-19T04:31:00.003Z

We're now entering the fifth day of our occupation of the Old Theatre.

About 20 students maintained the occupation over the weekend, with the numbers looking to grow when teaching starts again on Monday. There have been a lot of fresh faces, and we've had a growing number of messages of support in our inboxes, on our petitions, and in the Theatre.

We're opening the week with another rally- George Galloway and Dan Judelson (of Jews for Justice for Palestine) will be addressing LSE students at 11am on Monday in the Old Theatre, following the massive success of Friday's lecture with Tony Benn.

We're hoping to receive a response to our most recent letter soon...we'll keep you posted.

Demand negotiation letter

2009-01-18T04:33:00.001Z

We have drafted and sent the letter below in response to Howard Davies' refusal to issue a statement condemning Israel's violent attack on the Gazan civilian population.

Mr Davies' claim that the LSE does not invest in BAE systems is somewhat misleading. The LSE pays Barclays to manage its funds and while Barclays does not currently invest our money in BAe, it definitely was doing so in March 2008 (We have the official school documents to prove it) and it could be doing so again at some point in the near future. Is it too conspiratorial to suggest that Barclays may have removed BAe from its fund temporarily to avoid the divestment campaigns that have received a surge of support following the Israeli aggression?

Either way, it is simply not good enough for Davies to claim that everything is pl because Barclays don't currently invest our money in BAe. We have asked Davies to further clarify his claims and promise that our money will never again be invested in firms arming Israel.

As far as the refusal to issue a statement goes, this is simply spineless. What have witnessed is the collective punishment of a civilian population that directly affects the right to education of Palestinians, and therefore the policies of the LSE. The LSE must speak out against the bombing of the Islamic University in Gaza.

We are very pleased with the LSE's acceptance of our demand to provide books and computers to Palestinian universities.

Here is the letter in full:

Dear Mr Davies,

Thank you for response to the demands of the continuing Old Theatre occupation. We would like to draw your attention to our public lecture that took place Friday afternoon. Over 350 students, academics and staff heard the esteemed Tony Benn, Professor Alex Callinicos and former LSE student activist Liz Wheatley support and commend this occupation. In the past week £2,252 has been raised by RAG, the Islamic Society and through our occupation.

Furthermore, we wish to make you aware of the efforts of students at Essex University who have begun a similar occupation with similar demands. Other actions are planned on campuses across the country. The Director of Hampshire University in Massachusetts has released a strongly worded statement condemning Israeli violence against the Palestinian right to education. Hundreds of British academics from all major UK universities wrote to the Guardian newspaper calling for action to stop Israel's massacre and called for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel. We are also pleased to report that The Independent has covered our occupation. Other major media organisations have expressed an interest in the story.

With regards to your response to our demands we would like to clarify and move forward on a number of points.

1) We are grateful that yourself and the School Council have expressed concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza and are willing for your views to be made public in a personal capacity, rather than an official school statement. In recognition of this compromise, we would suggest you formulate a written personal statement to elaborate on your thoughts about the Israeli violence and the attacks on Palestinian right to education such as the bombing of the Islamic University. We only call for an equal treatment between Israeli and Palestinian academia. Considering your statement regarding the UCU decision to *discuss* a boycott surely the destruction of Palestinian universities, attack on schools, killing of students and refusal of exit permits to students with offers abroad merits a similar statement? These are prospective LSE students, subject of a recruitment campaign by LSE-Palestine Solidarity Initiative (LSEPSI), who are now finding incredibly difficult to even apply to LSE.

2) We are pleased to learn that the tracker fund with which the LSE invests does not currently hold BAe shares. Council documents from March 2008 show that the LSE invested in BAe at that point. We are certain that the removal of BAe from the Barclays tracker fund was based on financial rather than ethical considerations. Given this, we are concerned that the LSE could hold BAe shares once again in the near future. We wish to point out that the fact that BAe shares were held "indirectly" by LSE through a tracker fund does not negate the ethical ramifications involved.

We request a guarantee from the LSE that it will never allow its fund managers to invest LSE cash in BAe. Additionally, given that it has proven possible for the LSE to ascertain how the Barclays tracker fund invests its cash, we request that it investigate whether the LSE invests in any other arms companies that supply Israel, as listed on the Campaign Against the Arms Trade website. Divestment is not an unprecedented move for universities. Harvard and other Ivy League universities have done so in the past.

3) We are aware that there are scholarships available to Palestinians at the LSE, however only two of these are reserved solely for Palestinians. We would like to broaden the offer of scholarships to Palestinian students and ask that the LSE take a more active role in promoting applications to LSE in the occupied territories (as it already does in other countries). As you have been made aware recently, alumni from the Palestine Society here at LSE have established The LSE-Palestine Solidarity Initiative and are leading efforts to aid Palestinian students in their applications to the LSE. The LSEPSI is more than able to provide the School with the applicants they have found who meet the required academic standard, so should the school agree to establish independent Scholarships for Palestinian students, we will guarantee that they will be filled. Also, we accept that the School cannot legally fund an exclusive scholarship program based on nationality in line with equal opportunities legislation; however the School can begin such an initiative and commit to seek external funding, a compromise we would be willing to accept. Finally, we would also ask that LSE waive application fees to all students living under the occupation, not just those involved in the current conflict in Gaza, as they should all merit classification as students from a crisis zone.

4) With regards to the Fundraising Day we had hoped that the LSE would work with the Students' Union and RAG to directly assist such a charitable collection. We would suggest that the necessary processes such as communication with lecturers and teachers to make them aware of collections for MAP in every lecture and every seminar could come from the higher ranks of the school administration. Buckets to use for collection and to stick the MAP logo and LSE logo on could be obtained from RAG.

5) We thank you for your commitment to support student initiatives to divert surplus books and computers to Gaza and the West Bank. We do however request that the LSE covers reasonable costs of shipping associated with such initiatives. If fee-paying students are asked to pay for the shipping of books and computers, the initiative will be unfeasible. Additionally, you mentioned in past correspondence that you would “continue” to support efforts by LSE academics to forge links with Birzeit University, however their request for funding was denied by LSE. Could you please clarify how you plan to support them.

6) Thank you for your assurances and acknowledgement of our reasonable conduct. We wish to reiterate that this occupation is a peaceful protest, democratically organised by regular meetings.

Response to Israel Society petition

2009-01-18T03:59:00.001Z

Members of the Israel Society have started a petition demanding that the LSE stops our occupation of the New Theatre.

The petition claims that our occupation is "disrupting the lectures of students...going beyond the right to free speech...and aims to deny LSE students their right to education".

We wish to make it clear that we have at no point disrupted lectures. We have sat on the stage during lectures and given short speeches before they begin. Lectures have then been allowed to continue as normal. LSE Director Howard Davies noted that we have "held scrupulously" to our promise to allow lectures to proceed.

Part of what we are fighting for is the assertion of the right to education. It is evidently untrue that we would do anything to threaten this fundamental right.

We ask students considering signing the letter to think about whether this petition is based on genuine concerns about the implications of our actions or whether it is a simply a cheap attack from those who disagree with our demands.

Videos now uploaded - Tony Benn, Lindsey German

2009-01-17T20:18:00.001Z

Tony Benn, Friday 16th January, 4pm Occupied, Old Theatre, London School of Economics

Tony Benn said: (excerpts relating to LSE - please watch the movie!)

"May I congratulate you all for having organised this occupation. It's much more important than you may realise than when you get together ... and make your own demands, then in the end those demands are heard ... I have seen the statement of intent that you have made and I agree with it one hundred percent. ... don't think that you're an isolated little group at the LSE. In my judgement ... I believe there is mass support for what you are doing from all over the world. .. There is no future for Israel itself, unless they make peace with their enemies."

LSE student speaks to 10.000 at Trafalgar Square rally

2009-01-17T11:57:00.001Z

A member of our occupation, Mira Hammad, has spoken to a crowd of several thousand people today. In her speech at the Trafalgar Square rally for Palestine she stressed the importance students have in making a change.

Transcript:

Transcript:

“We are holding an occupation of our lecture theatre at the London School of Economics in solidarity with the people of Gaza. We urge all students, all members of universities and schools: Tell your institutions, that we’re not going to stand and watch while the base hypocrisy of institutions, which educate people on one side of the world, and are complicit in the murder of people on the other side of the world, continues. Tell your universities to disinvest from Israeli companies. Tell them to send out statements in support of Gaza. This movement has been compared with the beginning of the movement against South African Apartheid. This is much bigger than that movement, because it comes at a time when student activism is dead. Apathy has reigned, but now the Israeli propaganda machine is broken. They can no longer claim self-defence, they can no longer pretend to be the victims when we see images of dead children, of bombed hospitals, of bombed schools, in the news. It does not sit well with images of Gazans dying. Why are you here today? Are you here to defend Gaza? Because if you are, then forget about the so-called ceasefire that is going to happen. It will mean nothing for the people of Gaza. There is no point in saving the people of Gaza now, so that they can die in a month, in a year, when they do not have access to medical aid or to education. We need to provide an end to the occupation. We need to liberate the people of Palestine. And we urge all students: Forget NUS, forget the government. Stand up yourselves, and make a statement: Start the movement now. Show solidarity with the LSE occupation, show the government that people care about this issue, show the government that the age of apathy is dead. Now, this is the age of human rights, this is the age when we stand up for the people who have no voice, we are giving a voice to the silenced, and we are starting now.”

Update: Essex occupation now has a website: http://www.visitpalestine.asia/page.cfm/id/98207

£2252 raised for Medical Aid for Palestine in 5 days

2009-01-16T23:31:00.000Z

Students have been collecting money for the charity Medical Aid for Palestine since Monday.

£2252 has been raised so far after just 5 days.

One of our demands to Howard Davies was to have a fundraising day where collection boxes are put in every classroom and lecture hall. His response was very encouraging - watch this space for our response to his letter.

Dirty tactics by opposers of the LSE occupation

2009-01-16T20:48:00.000Z

Earlier today the Student Union sent out an e-mail to all students, informing them of the occupation. Unfortunately, there was confusion regarding the blogname, and our old name was used. Anti-LSEoccupation students have viciously profited from the situation and have registered the name.

We have posted a comment to the post on their site, directing students to our site. They have deleted it and disabled commenting. We have then added ourselves as "followers" to their blog - let's see how long that stays up.

We would like to reiterate that our campaign has so far been met with overwhelming support from students, academics, alumni, and people from outside the LSE. The anti-LSEoccupation lobby is trying to slander our good name by bringing up "fears" of discrimination and unsubstantiated claims of disruption. We are in the middle of compiling a list of the many instances of harassment our supporters have received, which will be sent to the right channels in due course.

Any questions and concerns about the occupation should be directed to lseoccupation[@]googlemail.com

Breaking news - Essex starts occupation.

2009-01-16T17:45:00.000Z

We have just received news that 50 students from Essex university have started their own occupation (with suspiciously similar demands). We send them our solidarity!

Their Press release:

Essex students occupy Lecture Theatre Building in solidarity with the Palestinian people

On Friday, January 16th Essex Uni Stop the War Society and Palestine Solidarity Campaign called for a day of action on campus grounds in Colchester, Wivenhoe Park. 200 students attended the rally which was addressed by SU president Dominic Kavakeb.

Izzat Shamroukh, a first year student from Bethlehem had collected more than 200 signatures for a letter with 5 demands to the university. The demands included that the university issue an official statement condemning the Siege on Gaza, facilitating a fundraising day for Medical Aid for Palestine, 5 scholarships for Palestinian students who can no longer study due to the fact that Gaza university was bombed on Dec. 28th, to use surplus resources like old books and computers to re-build Gaza University and that no student shall be victimised for their protest.

The march headed towards the office of Vice-Chancellor Colin Riordan to give him the letter and the signatures. However, University security closed the doors after receiving letter. The protestors had given the University administration a limit to respond to the demands of the students by 4.30. Thus, the protestors showed their anger by trying to stage a sit-in in the library and Lecture Theatre Building.

The university agreed on going into negotiations as 100 and more protestors kept on pressing for the demands to be met. The negotiations did however not bring about the desired result which let students hanging in the air. On this premise 60 students ran into the Ivor Crewe Hall where they unanimously voted for an occupation of a lecture hall.
The students are currently occupying LTB04 and are building for a weekend which is dedicated to showing solidarity with the Palestinian people and to having their demands met by Monday. Izzat Shamroukh stated:

"We should use our position as a leading institution in the UK and Europe to help those who are facing suffering and oppression. The injustice committed reaches deeper than the siege. We are calling all students in this country and across the world to take similar actions and do whatever they can show their support for this cause."

Also: We're in the Independent! The article can be read here.

Please direct any enquiries, journalistic or otherwise, to lseoccupation[@]googlemail.com

Huge momentum building - lecture theatre full for Tony Benn

2009-01-16T17:33:00.000Z

Three speakers spoke at the occupied lecture theatre at 4pm today, attracting an audience of 300, about 80% of capacity. This comes only 27 hours after the occupation has started. We have received messages of support from politicians, NGOs and students from universities across the UK.

Transcripts and videos of speeches coming soon!

Tony Benn, anti war campaigner and former Labour minister, received a standing ovation for his speech.
Lizz Wheately, a former LSE student, told us about her experiences occupying a building in the 80s to get LSE to divest funds from Apartheid South Africa. She reminded us that this action is not futile - it is part of a wider movement and is likely to inspire other Universities to join in.
Alex Callincos an academic at King's college, talked about the wider conflict. His view is that one, democratic state in the place of what is now Israel and Palestine is the only way to lasting peace.

100 LSE teachers and lecturers are part of a group called "Staff Against the War" and we have had messages of support from representatives.

A message has been sent out to all LSE students by the student union informing them of the occupation and other events organised to show solidarity with Palestine.

Response received by Davies

2009-01-16T12:57:00.000Z

Lindsey German's rally was very successful. Videos to follow soon!

Howard Davies has responded to our demands and we are currently drafting our response.

You can read it here.

Lindsey German and Tony Benn to speak at Occupation

2009-01-16T11:08:00.001Z

As the occupation of the Old Building lecture theatre is gaining prominence, students have invited prominent speakers to raise awareness.

12 pm - Rally with Lindsey German outside the Old Building

Lindsey German is the Convenor of the Stop the War Coalition and a former LSE student. She is a prominent anti-war campaigner with a long career in socialist politics.

4pm - Speech by Tony Benn in the Old Theatre

Tony Benn, ex-Labour minister and President of the Stop the War Coalition will hold a speech. First elected in 1950, he retired in 2001 but remains a prominent and influential activist.

4pm - Speech by Alex Callinicos

A distinguished marxist intellectual, Alex has authored many books including New Mandarins of American Power.

Check back for more updates on speakers!

Press release

2009-01-16T01:51:00.000Z

LSE STUDENTS SECOND UNIVERSITY TO HOLD OCCUPATION WITH MORE UNIVERSITIES ABOUT TO JOIN

Over forty pro Palestine students have occupied a lecture theatre at the London School of Economics to demand that the university releases a statement condemning the attack on Gaza and that it divest from arms companies that supply the Israeli military.

Students entered the Old Theatre and sat down on the stage after the Students' Union passed a motion in support of their demands. A lecture continued as scheduled with the students on the stage.

SOAS ended their three day occupation last night after all but one of their demands were met. Students at other campuses are planning similar actions. [Ed note: one day after this press release, 50 Essex university students started an occupation]

The group want LSE Director Howard Davies to issue a statement condemning the Israeli violence on Gaza.

"LSE is an institution founded on the Fabian values that were the precursor of the human rights agenda of modern politics. LSE must restate those values and condemn state criminality. It is not a matter of politics, it is a matter of humanity," a spokesperson said.

The group are also demanding that LSE divests from arms firm BAE Systems, an arms company who supply the Israeli military.

"The fact that LSE invests in BAE Systems means that it is directly profiting from the collective punishment of the Gazan people. Our University will remain tainted for as long as it is funded by unlawful military agression. The LSE must divest from BAE and other arms companeis immeditately.

The LSE also invests in arms comapnies Boeing, Rolls Royce and BHP Billiton, a firm the School says supplies nuclear material for warheads.

They have also issued several demands related to providing material support for Palestinian students including providing 5 fully paid scholarships for Palestinian students, books and computers for Palestinian universities and facilitation for fund-raising activities.

Over 250 students and academics wrote to Director Howard Davies at the beginning of the year to demand a statement and other demands similar to those being demanded by the occupation. Davies agreed to waiver application fees for students affected by the crisis but refused to issue a condemnatory statement, pledge further material assistance or support divestment from arms firms.

Davies claimed that the School does not take positions on "political issues". This is in stark contrast to an overtly political statement issued by Davies in May 2007 condemning a UCU (University and College Union) resolution concerning the Israeli Occupation, and previous condemnations by LSE of South African Apartheid and the Tiananmen Square massacre in the 1980's.

DEMANDS IN FULL

1) Statement
The LSE should release a statement condemning the Israeli attack on Gaza and demanding a ceasefire. LSE is an institution founded on the Fabian values that were the precursor of the human rights agenda of modern politics. LSE must restate those values and condemn state criminality. It is not a matter of politics, it is a matter of humanity. A statement condemning Israeli violence is fully in keeping with the founding principles of our university.

2) Divestment
The LSE currently holds investments in BAE Systems, a firm that the Campaign Against the Arms Trade (caat.org.uk) states provides weapons and ammunition for the Israeli military. This means that our university is being directly funded by the Israeli war on Gaza. The LSE must divest from BAE immediately.

3) 5 fully paid scholarships for Palestinian students.
At a University as diverse and international as LSE, Palestinian students are grossly underrepresented in the student body when compared to other groups.

4) Fundraising day.
The LSE administration should facilitate a 'fundraising day' where buckets will be in every lecture and seminar to collect money for the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians

5) Books and Computers.
The LSE has a £26 million surplus and is lucky enough to be able to regularly invest in new equipment. Any computers or books due to be got rid of at the end of Lent and Summer terms should be donated to the University and to schools that have been bombed in Gaza.

6) Amnesty
LSE has a proud history of student activism. Students united to campaign against apartheid, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and more recently around divestment from the arms trade. All students have a democratic right to peaceful protest and students should not be prevented from expressing their opinions by fear of reprisals.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1) The identity of other universities planning to hold occupations is being kept secret. For more information please contact lseoccupation@googlemail.com

2)The group have set up a group with frequent updates: http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com

3) For more information about the SOAS protest, please go to http://soassolidarity4gaza.blogspot.com/

4) The LSE occupation follows an hour after students voted in a Union General Meeting to condemn the Israeli attacks on Gaza and recognise the oppression Palestinians have been living in.

Union officials join protest

2009-01-16T00:00:00.000Z

The Communications Officer of the Student Union, Dan Sheldon, has joined students in the sit-in.

The General Secretary of the SU, Aled Fisher, is acting as an intermediary between protesters and the school administration.

The Student Union Anti-Racism Officer, Joseph Brown, is also among those joining the protest.

Academic Mike Cushman has visited the sit-in to express his support and solidarity.

Others include the managing editor of the student newspaper The Beaver, Michael Deas, the president of the Student Union Palestine society, Zainub Chohan, and many others representing a cross-section of students.

The Old Theatre Has just Been Occupied

2009-01-15T23:14:00.000Z

Why are we here?

As of 4pm Thursday 15th January the Old Theatre is under occupation. We are a coalition of LSE students from many different backgrounds. Our aims are to raise awareness of the ongoing massacre in Gaza and the LSE’s complicity in this. Despite supposedly being a progressive university, the LSE has refused to issue a statement condemning the attack or the bombing of the University in Gaza or divest from BAE Systems, a firm that arms Israel.

SOAS University went into occupation two days ago demanding similar things. Last night, the SOAS administration agreed to all of their demands and the occupation has now ended. The majority of LSE has shown its opposition to the Israeli occupation time and time again. It is time to act collectively and demand that LSE administration listen to the demands of students.

Over 1000 Palestinians have been killed in the most recent attacks on Gaza- a third of them children.
A university founded on principles of social justice should not be connected with such blatant human rights atrocities.

No damage will be inflicted upon the property-this is a peaceful protest. The occupation is run democratically with regular meetings.

What can you do?
JOIN US-If you agree with the aims of our occupation or want to offer solidarity come and join us, even if for only a short while.
Email the Director of LSE Howard Davies to say you support the occupation h.davies@lse.ac.uk

Our demands

1) Statement
The LSE should release a statement condemning the Israeli attack on Gaza and demanding a ceasefire. LSE is an institution founded on the Fabian values that were the precursor of the human rights agenda of modern politics. LSE must restate those values and condemn state criminality. It is not a matter of politics, it is a matter of humanity. A statement condemning Israeli violence is fully in keeping with the founding principles of our university.

2) Divestment
The LSE currently holds investments in BAE Systems, a firm that the Campaign Against the Arms Trade (caat.org.uk) states provides weapons and ammunition for the Israeli military. This means that our university is being directly funded by the Israeli war on Gaza. The LSE must divest from BAE immediately.

3) 5 fully paid scholarships for Palestinian students.
At a University as diverse and international as LSE, Palestinian students are grossly underrepresented in the student body when compared to other groups.

4) Fundraising day.
The LSE administration should facilitate a ‘fundraising day’ where buckets will be in every lecture and seminar to collect money for the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians

5) Books and Computers.
The LSE has a £26 million surplus and is lucky enough to be able to regularly invest in new equipment. Any computers or books due to be got rid of at the end of Lent and Summer terms should be donated to the University and to schools that have been bombed in Gaza.

6) Amnesty
LSE has a proud history of student activism. Students united to campaign against apartheid, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and more recently around divestment from the arms trade. All students have a democratic right to peaceful protest and students should not be prevented from expressing their opinions by fear of reprisals.

Student Union Passes Motion Condemning Israel

2009-01-13T18:33:00.000Z

Defend Gaza, Condemn the Israeli Massacre

Proposer: Joseph Brown 200600243

Seconder: Mira Hammad 200803519

Union Notes:

1) The 41 year Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and Israeli control of Palestinian airspace, borders, and seaports denying the freedom of movement of many Palestinians including students to leave the Gaza strip or for aid agencies to enter for humanitarian relief.[1]

2) The Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip beginning on the weekend of the 27-28 December, 2008 and the Israeli ground invasion of Gaza beginning on January 4, 2009.

3) The killing of around 900 and injuring of 4,100 Palestinians, including some 300 children, as of January 12, 2009 by Israeli military aggression against Gaza.[2]

4) The desperate shortage of food in Gaza, caused by the Israeli siege since early 2006, forcing residents to scavenge for food and even eat grass.[3]

5) The chronic shortage of medical supplies in Gazan hospitals, caused by the Israeli siege; resulting in many hundreds of wounded failing to receive adequate treatment and the attack of al-Awda Hospital by two Israeli shells on 5th January 2009[4]

6) That the Gaza Strip is one of the most densely populated places on Earth and as such civilian causalities are rarely avoidable and that 800,000 Gazans are under the age of 18, with the average age of Gaza at 17.[5]

7) The bombing of Gaza’s Education Ministry and its only university in the early hours of December 29, depriving over 20,000 students of their access to higher education and the bombing of two United Nations schools, including Asma elementary school on 6^th January 2009 killing 40 Palestinians seeking shelter, many of them children.[6]

8) The "Twinning LSESU with a Palestinian University” Motion of LT, 2007 which affiliated the LSESU with the Right To Education Campaign, recognising the need to defend Palestinian students from “fear and harassment and will aid the emergence of peace and justice in Israel and the Palestinian territories.”

9) The "HOLD ISRAEL ACCOUNTABLE - DIVEST" Motion of LT, 2008 and its affiliation of the LSESU with The International Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza.

Union Believes:

1) That peace in the Middle East is something this Union should continue to strive for and recognises that peace lays in the realisation of a just resolution to the Occupation and siege of the West Bank and Gaza.

2) That this the current war in Gaza and injustice of the Occupation serve only to radicalise the Palestinian population, force out moderate voices and push us further away from achieving a just peace.

3) That the siege on Gaza is an irresponsible and systematic attempt to ghettoise the population and turn Gaza into an open-air prison, cutting off access to the outside community and further impoverishing a population of whom 80% already live under the poverty line, constituting collective punishment of 1.5 million people which is objectionable and illegal under international law. Such action can do nothing to further a peaceful resolution.

4) That the Israeli government knows that Gaza is one of the most densely populated people on Earth and therefore knows its bombs are very likely to kill civilians.

5) The knowing endangerment of civilians is illegal, immoral and unacceptable and that our Union has a moral obligation to against such action whenever it occurs.

6) That our union should not sit quietly while Israel launches yet another violent assault on the caged and oppressed Palestinian people.

7) That the right to education and the intentional persecution of Palestinian students is something that our Union should continue to stand against.

Union Resolves:

1) To request that LSE’s RAG Campaign include Medical Aid for Palestinians as a key part of its fund raising drive.

2) To mandate the Sabbatical team to demand that LSE Director Howard Davies issue a statement condemning Israel’s attack on educational institutions.

3) To mandate the Sabbatical team to request the LSE establish an emergency fund for Palestinians students from Gaza and waive their tuition fees to support their efforts to acquire an education and waive all application fees from students coming from Palestine.

4) To mandate the Sabbatical team and request the Part Time Executive to issue a public statement, in consultation with the LSESU Palestine Society, strongly condemning Israel's attack on Gaza and the bombing of the Islamic University of Gaza and Gaza’s civil infrastructure. This statement is to be sent to the Director of the LSE, the LSE Council, and all national newspapers and student media, the Israeli Embassy, the US Embassy, 10 Downing Street and the Palestinian Delegation. This statement should also recommend that Britain push to suspend the current discussions for an EU trade agreement with Israel and recall our ambassador to Tel Aviv as a clear declaration of support for the Palestinian cause.

5) To mandate the Sabbatical team to advertise as widely as possible, (through global email etc) all demonstrations, protests and events related to its previous commitments to ‘The International Campaign to End the Siege on Gaza’ and ‘The Right to Education Campaign’.

6) To support the efforts of LSE faculty to build links with Palestinian universities.

7) To actively engage in education campaigns to publicize the injustice of the Israeli Occupation including but not limited to the plight of Palestinian refugees - considering 80% of the Gazan population are refugees from what is now Israel - focusing on their right of return.

[1] Ha’aretz: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1054492.html, ‘Red Cross will no longer escort Palestinian ambulances in Gaza’.

Bt’selem: http://www.btselem.org/english/Gaza_Strip/Control_on_Air_space_and_territorial_waters.asp

[2] BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7823361.stm

Al Jezeera: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/2009112102333543211.html

CNN: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/01/10/israel.gaza/index.html

Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,479146,00.html

Channel 4 News: http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/politics/international_politics/israel+close+to+gaza+goal/2901477

ITV News: http://www.itv.com/News/Articles/Israel-looking-for-Gaza-knockout-2212205.html

[3] The Sunday Times: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5338014.ece

The Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/14/gazans-turn-to-painkiller_n_150862.html Business Week: http://bx.businessweek.com/food-industry/christmas-in-gaza-means-eating-grass/9708032785785084990-8ab61f9d91c66531fbbdcc3786cdf068/

The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/apr/23/israelandthepalestinians

[4] The World Health Organisation http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2008/s15/en/index.html

The Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/28/AR2008122802111.html

Al Jazeera http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/200915143237167997.html

[5] Centre for Research on Globalisation: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=11652, International Herald Tribune: http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/01/01/mideast/gaza.php, ‘Civilians suffer in densely populated Gaza’

CIA World Factbook: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gz.html

Middle East Window: http://middleeastwindow.com/sake-gazas-800000-children

The Korea Times: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2009/01/160_37289.html

[6] Islamic University Gaza: http://www.iugaza.edu.ps/eng/about/

The Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/40-killed-at-un-school-in-gaza-1229250.html,

The Jewish Chronicle: http://www.jewishchronicle.org/article.php?article_id=11033, ‘Attack in Gaza signals escalation of conflict’

The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/06/gaza-israel-death-un, ‘Israeli shelling kills dozens at UN school in Gaza’

Reuters: http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKL712298720090107, ‘UN Offical says no militants inside Gaza school’

BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7823204.stm

LSE Students take part in Gaza protests

2009-01-12T20:47:00.000Z

From the LSE student paper www.thebeaveronline.co.uk:

Monday 12 January 2009

LSE students and academics were among the hundreds of thousands that protested around the world against the war in Gaza. Students have taken part in several protests since the Israeli offensive began, including a large LSE contingent in last Saturday's demonstration, which saw up to 100,000 people march to the Israeli embassy in South Kensington. LSE academic Dr Mike Cushman was among the speakers at the rally held in Hyde Park before the march began. He spoke out in support of Israeli refuseniks and demonstrators worldwide, and expressed bewilderment at what he sees as the continued abuse of Palestinians' right to education. The Islamic University, the Gaza Acricultural College and the Ministry of Education were all part of the targets that have been bombed in Israel's two-week air and ground assault. "These attacks very clearly represent an attempt to wipe out the infrastructure and target civilians, to break their will to resist," said Erin O'Halloren, a 3rd year Bsc International Relations and History student, "This is a colonial situation where the Palestinians are trapped in a cage, with no way of helping themselves and no say in what's occurring to them." Estelle Cooch, a 2nd year Bsc History student, has been to Palestine five years ago and likened the scenes she saw in Gaza to images of the Warsaw ghetto. "I can only imagine that it's gotten about 10 times worse since I was there. The attacks on Gaza in which the Israelis have killed almost 900 Palestinians and wounded thousands more are not going to get rid of Hamas but create more supporters for groups like them" Saturday's protest started off peacefully. However, protesters were confronted with hundreds of riot police at the Israeli embassy, whose continued charges into the crowd led to clashes. Aled Dylwin Fisher, the General Secretary of the Student Union, was caught in the crushes. "There were some people throwing things outside the Israeli Embassy, but there were hundreds of peaceful protesters going past it," he said. "Suddenly, the police charged the people nearest the embassy. The whole crowd was then pushing backwards towards the other side of the road and people were being crushed, as there were barriers on the other side of the road too. "Then the barriers suddenly toppled and we fell forward on top of them. Our legs were trapped in it - I lost both my shoes - but we managed to scramble to safety. There were children, women and elderly people crushed." At about 5pm around 1000 demonstrators were boxed in by police near the embassy, with further riot police dispatched to dispel the rest of the demonstrators as they were arriving from Hyde Park. LSE students were among those boxed in. Chris Westgarth, a 2nd year BSc Government student, saw demonstrators smash the windows of Starbucks and other shops. "The situation was violent. The police were on horses and other people are putting up barriers against them." Demonstrators were finally let out one-by-one at around 7pm. "The police were intimidating and unprofessional", said Westgarth, "They took everybody's details and pictures. It was completely over the top." Organisers accussed police of heavy-handedness and complaints have been made to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. On Sunday, LSE students took part in a pro-Israel rally in Trafalgar Square. Placards read, "End Hamas Terror - Peace for the People of Israel and Gaza." The protest passed peacefully although Police had to separate the Israel supporters and a group of pro-Palestine demonstrators.

Response by General Secretary of Student Union

2009-01-12T18:22:00.000Z

From: Su.Gensec
Sent: 06 January 2009 15:59
To: Adrian.Only
Cc: Rose2,J
Subject: RE: Chairman's Group: Israel/ Gaza

Importance: High

Adrian,

Thank you for circulating this and for encouraging our feedback.

There are many positives in this draft, and I am very pleased by the generally positive nature of Howard's reply. However, I disagree with the section on the School refusing to make a statement.

In my opinion, making a statement in support of the right to education in Gaza is not the same as taking "political positions" on the course or outcome of the Israel-Palestine conflict. The statement on the boycott was in itself a political position on a academic issue (indeed, taking a stance on the democratic decision of a trade union that had called for "discussion", not a boycott itself), and a statement condemning the denial of the right to education in Gaza would be in the same category. This would therefore be a consistent stance for the School to take.

Fundamentally, the attacks on education in Gaza affect the School's mission just as much as any proposed boycott (I am personally against the academic boycott of Israel). LSE's Institutional Values are consistent with making a statement on the denial of the right to education in Gaza, particularly the value of engagement that states that "interaction with the wider world so that the insights of the social sciences are disseminated as widely as possible for the improvement of society" is integral to the School's core values.

Numerous LSE students, academics and alumni are appalled by the situation in Gaza, and will want their university to take a strong line in support of academic freedom, just as LSE has done throughout its history. A short statement will go a long way to reassure students, and can also serve to inform the outside world of the positive proposals made in this draft, such as supporting any students affected, waiving application fees for postgraduate students affected, and building positive links with Palestinian institutions.

In terms of such a statement, I would suggest something along the following lines:

LSE condemns the Israeli attacks on Gaza in their violation of human rights and particularly in their effect on educational institutions, students and academics, such as the destruction of academic facilities at the Islamic University of Gaza and the disruption of thousands of students' education. Israel is charged under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to ensure the right to education.

LSE extends support to any of its students affected by the conflict through our hardship funds and other avenues of student financial support. We will waive postgraduate application fees for those affected. Furthermore, we are committed to building positive links with academics and institutions in Palestine.

Furthermore, while the School assisting students affected is very positive, in reality very students who are affected by this attend LSE - very few Palestinian students can gain access to education in Gaza, let alone in the UK, because it has been denied to them by the effects of the occupation and the blockade. LSE needs to do more in the long-term to support applications from Palestinian students. A start would be to make more scholarships for Palestinian students, which could be done very easily.

Many thanks,
Aled Dilwyn Fisher
General Secretary
LSE Students’ Union
E205, East Building
Houghton Street
London WC2A 2AE
+44 (0) 20 7955 7147
+44 (0) 78 1758 8923
www.lsesu.com

Howard Davies's response

2009-01-11T18:22:00.000Z

7 January 2009

I mentioned to you on 1 January, on receipt of your letter of 29 December, that I would consult members of the LSE Council and others on the questions you raised before giving you a substantive reply. I have now been able to consult a number of those concerned.

As I write, there is no improvement in the situation in Gaza and no sign of the immediate ceasefire for which Ban Ki-moon, Gordon Brown and other political leaders have called. On a personal level, I am deeply distressed by the reports of conditions there. Colleagues around the School agree with me that we should take whatever practical measures we can to alleviate hardship among any members of the LSE community affected by the events in
Gaza. First, the School will monitor students of LSE who might be affected by this crisis and ensure that financial and where necessary pastoral support is provided. There are funds to help students who encounter financial difficulties which could not have been foreseen when they started at LSE. The School can also issue emergency loans in cases of need.

Should there be insufficient funds in the relevant budgets (which is unlikely), the School will find funds from elsewhere. In similar fashion, the School will waive the LSE application fee for any prospective student affected by the crisis. There is a procedure for this in respect of postgraduate fees; I understand that you are in touch with the Student Recruitment and Admissions Office about it. There is no such set procedure in respect of undergraduate application fees (which are paid to UCAS) but in cases of need we will find a way.

What the School cannot fairly do - indeed we think it might even be illegal - is to waive LSE application or tuition fees on the basis of nationality or place of residence alone,
without evidence that the person concerned is suffering financial hardship. However, there are substantial scholarship funds available to any student from Palestine on the basis of merit. For example, there are six donor-funded postgraduate scholarships available to
students from specified locations including Palestine, and one of these is designated for Palestinians exclusively. The School has already advised a group of students of which I
understand you were part on how to approach further potential sponsors of scholarships aimed particularly at students from Palestine. LSE values and supports academic links with universities around the world including in Palestine. Many LSE academics are engaged in strong and productive relationships of this nature. The School's institutional partnerships are limited to a small number of
relationships - currently just four - with universities of equal global stature to LSE.

However, the Academic Partnerships office can also help draw up agreements between LSE academics or LSE departments and their counterparts in other institutions, and the LSE's Research and Projects Development Division can advise on joint applications for external research funding. By their very nature, however, these projects and programmes are not initiated by LSE management, even though support is provided; rather, they grow
out of relationships forged directly between academics working on areas of common interest. Sarah Worthington, Pro Director for Research and External Relations, has
discussed a proposal for links with Birzeit University with the LSE academics concerned on several occasions in 2008. She has suggested several potential sources of help or funding within the School to which a suitable approach might be made.

The School holds no shares in any company anywhere, though it does have some holdings of mutual funds . The School's policy in respect of all its investments is now under
scrutiny by a group - including Students' Union representation - reporting to the Finance
and General Purposes Committee, which in turn will report back to Council in due course. I know that Israel/Palestine is a live issue for the group.

You also suggest that we issue a public statement on the situation in Gaza and encourage Russell Group colleagues to do likewise. On this point, the LSE Council stated in December 2007 that it is not the practice of the School to take political positions, unless its own policies and practices are at issue. I attach a copy of the statement; you will note that it specified that Council "will not approve any statements" on the Israel-Palestine conflict,
although individual academics and students are of course free to take their own positions.

Wherever in the world scholars or their institutions are threatened or their lives are being disrupted by conflict, I believe that all parties should respect the integrity of scholarship and intellectual and academic freedoms, and should work to minimise suffering. I am sure
that this view is widely shared by the Council and many others.

You have likened the situation to the discussions of the proposal within the UCU for an academic boycott of Israel, as it arose (not for the first time) in mid-2007. However on
that occasion I only thought it appropriate to make an immediate response, on a personal basis, because the matter had already been extensively discussed by the LSE Council and the Russell Group and a clear conclusion reached. It was also an issue which would have
directly affected LSE's academic mission. The Council later endorsed the view I had expressed.

We have consulted the Russell Group who have told us that they have no current plans to make a statement.

Please be assured that the School will continue to do what it can to alleviate any hardship caused to students by the crisis in Gaza, and to assist efforts to promote academic links with Palestinian universities.

No meeting of the LSE Council is scheduled before 3 February. We have consulted the Chairman's Group and there is broad agreement with the contents of this letter but the views of the General Secretary of the Students' Union differ. We will ensure that Council
members have all the relevant correspondence including the views of the General Secretary. There is clearly much to discuss.

We will post this exchange of views on the LSE website, as we did with the exchange of views on the boycott proposal in mid 2007.

Howard Davies

Letter sent to Howard Davies

2009-01-10T18:21:00.000Z

29th December 2008

Mr. Howard Davies

Director

London School of Economics

Dear Howard,

Over the last few days Israel has launched an intensive attack on the Palestinian people and its institutions in Gaza, the deadliest since 1967. Since 2006 Israel has imposed an increasingly complete siege upon the population of Gaza, cutting off essential supplies and humanitarian aid: a form of collective punishment of the one and a half million people of Gaza that constitutes a war crime and a crime against humanity.

In a prescient analysis published June 2007, ‘Slouching towards a Palestinian holocaust’1 Richard Falk, the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and emeritus professor of law at Princeton University, wrote:

The recent developments in Gaza are especially disturbing because they express so vividly a deliberate intention on the part of Israel and its allies to subject an entire human community to life-endangering conditions of utmost cruelty. The suggestion that this pattern of conduct is a holocaust-in-the-making represents a rather desperate appeal to the governments of the world and to international public opinion to act urgently to prevent these current genocidal tendencies from culminating in a collective tragedy.

We appreciate and endorse the LSE’s tradition of avoiding any stand on political issues, but the situation in Gaza is one that should concern the LSE community, since it involves the systematic denial of access to education to students in Gaza and the destruction of their educational infrastructure. For two years or more, thousands of students have been trapped in Gaza, unable to leave to pursue their studies abroad. The situation was already so desperate that two of LSE’s own members, Rosenhead and Cushman, in mid-December joined a humanitarian team in breaking the siege to bring out a handful of students; two years earlier Professor Chinkin of the Law Department was denied access to Gaza along with Bishop Desmond Tutu as part of a UN fact-finding mission. Yesterday, December 28th, Israel bombed the Islamic University of Gaza, attended by twenty thousand students, the majority of them women. Rosenhead and Cushman visited the Islamic University during their trip and were impressed by its offerings to students and the dedication of its staff; they are particularly distressed to hear of the destruction of the most important university to which most Gaza students have access.

Bearing this in mind, and in view of your commitment to unhindered academic freedom, we request that you:

1 - Issue a public statement condemning Israel's attack on Palestinian educational institutions, including the bombing of the Islamic University of Gaza, and encourage your colleagues in the Russell Group to issue a similar call;
2 - Establish an emergency fund for Palestinians students from Gaza and waive their tuition fees to support their efforts to acquire an education;
3 - Waive all application fees from students coming from Palestine;
4 - Support the efforts of LSE faculty to build links with Palestinian universities;
5- Divest LSE funds from all firms contributing to the Israeli war effort.

In view of the urgency of this matter we look forward to hearing from you soon.

The undersigned
[Full name], [Title or Department of study]

****PLEASE WRITE ON THE WALL YOUR DEPARTMENT + GRADUATION YEAR - THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT SO I CAN ADD YOUR SIGNATURE TO THE LETTER *****

**************************

*******
Howard Davies response dated 7 January, 2009

Please read this before reading his response for historical background on the issue:

http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2007/11/386324.html

Two LSE academics part of siege-breaking ship to Gaza

2009-01-09T18:45:00.000Z

The two prominent jewish LSE academics are Dr Mike Cushman and Professor Jonathan Rosenhead. Contact details available.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
'Free Gaza' Ship to Break Through Israeli Blockade for the Fourth Time

For More Information, please contact:
(Gaza) Caoimhe Butterly, +972 598 273 960
(Cyprus/Gaza) Lubna Masarwa, +972 505 633 044
(Cyprus) Ramzi Kysia , +357 99 081 767

(LARNACA, 8 December 2008) - The Free Gaza Movement announces that it sent a delegation from Cyprus to Gaza aboard their blockade-busting ship, the Dignity, last night, at 11.30pm, Monday, 8 December, due to arrive in Gaza at 3 pm Tuesday 9^th December. Free Gaza Movement has successfully challenged the siege on three previous occasions this year, landing missions in Gaza in August, October, and November. Free Gaza ships are the first to dock in Gaza Port in over 41 years.

Israel maintains absolute control over Gaza's borders and airspace, and has imposed an increasingly brutal blockade on its 1.5 million civilians for over two years, drastically increasing poverty and malnutrition rates. Over 700 students are currently trapped in Gaza, while Israel denies their right to attend universities abroad.

In a statement released by Drs. Jonathan Rosenhead and Mike Cushman, of the London School of Economics, the academics said they were pleased to be traveling to Gaza aboard the Dignity, and that, "This siege is an affront to any idea of academic freedom or human rights. We, working for a British university, have the freedom to teach and study, this must be a universal right, not at the discretion of an occupying power. How can anyone justify preventing young people from fulfilling their potential and learning how to serve their community more fully?"

In addition to the British academics, this fourth voyage includes a British surgeon traveling to Gaza to volunteer in local hospitals for the next several weeks, as well as international human rights workers and journalists. The ship will also be carrying in one ton of medical supplies and high-protein baby formula. In recent days, Israel has forcibly intervened to prevent other such missions from reaching Gaza.

Lubna Masarwa, one of the Free Gaza organizers, stated that, "Gaza doesn't need charity. What Gaza needs is sustained political action aimed at overcoming this vicious siege. We have no intention of turning around, and so we're confident that we will reach Gaza. We are unarmed civilians carrying desperately needed supplies to other unarmed civilians. It would be obscene for Israel to use violence to stop us."

The passengers on board the Dignity include:

 British academics on a fact-finding mission to document the devastating affects Israel's siege has had on the educational sector in Gaza

 A British surgeon traveling to Gaza to volunteer in local hospitals for the next several weeks

 A Palestinian man who has been denied the right to return to his family in Gaza

 International human rights workers

 International journalists from Al-Jazeera TV and McClatchy Newspapers

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