By Lucy Mills

Students and staff at the University of Strathclyde have called on the institution to increase measures of support for Palestine in a campus rally this Thursday, 3 April.

The protest was organised by the Strathclyde Palestine Solidarity Society (SPSS) following the group’s open letter, which amassed over 500 signatures.

The rally called further attention to the organisation’s list of demands, addressed to Principal Sir Jim McDonald and the University of Strathclyde administration.

“Despite only partial access to university investment records, our research has discovered that the University of Strathclyde currently holds millions of pounds worth of investment in complicit companies,” said a student and SPSS representative while addressing the gathered crowd.

These figures come from the group’s attainment of financial records through the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and vetted by using standards set by widely recognised activist movements such as BDS.

The student society is advocating for university divestment and severed ties with arms manufacturers and companies accused of complicity. Among them include the tech conglomerate Siemens, BAE Systems, and Barclays.

The rally saw participation from both students and staff. Dr Ibrahim Khadra, a Palestinian lecturer and the University Advisor on Engagement with the Middle East and North Africa, addressed attendees, calling for practical support for displaced students.

“All the universities in Gaza have been destroyed,” he said. “Can we get Palestinian students to study at Strathclyde University?”

He adds, “This is my duty as a Palestinian to explain to the wider community and the international community that it is not the 7th of October that started this. Palestine has been under occupation for 75 years. The university needs to know their contribution as an organisation and as a community member.”

Dr Khadra describes the ongoing relationship between the Palestinian community and university management as strong, but more could be done. “We talk with Sir Jim and the executive team all the time. I think they can do more, of course. You can do little things to support the Palestinian community.”

This student rally is one of many that have taken place across Glasgow campuses in the past month. Students across Glasgow attended the event in support, including members of the University of Glasgow Justice for Palestine Society and the GSA Palestine Solidarity Society.

“By standing together as part of the global student intifada (an Arabic word for uprising associated with Pro-Palestine protest), we believe students in this city can challenge the cruel and heartless policies of our universities,” said a representative of the University of Glasgow group, who asked to remain anonymous.

A spokesperson for the University of Strathclyde said: “The University of Strathclyde welcomes peaceful protest and is always open to discussing and responding to issues of concern raised by our students in a collegiate and constructive way. The Principal will be meeting with the leadership of the Palestine Solidarity Society in the coming weeks.”

In addition to changes in investment policies, the activists ask the university to fly the Palestinian flag on campus, mirroring the university’s decision to fly the Ukraine flag amidst the Russia-Ukraine war.

Referring to the university’s support of Ukraine, an anonymous student protester says, “The Ukrainians do need support. But why is it that when it comes to Ukrainian refugees, the university offers sympathy and not for Palestinians?”

Other demands include personalised support to members of the Palestinian and Lebanese community at Strathclyde and the establishment of an ethical investment policy.

The Strathclyde Student’s Union has also called for an ethical investment policy — a move that would align with several Scottish institutions, including the University of Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian University, and the University of Edinburgh.

Members of the SPSS confirmed that they are in active discussion with university representatives. However, further action is yet to be announced.