Hillhead Review

Glasgow University Stop the War Coalition organised a student demonstration named “all out for Palestine.” Several students and University staff have gathered on Library Hill to protest against Israel’s ongoing attack on the Gaza Strip. 

At the demonstration, a spokesperson for the group said today marks two years since “the intensification of the Palestinian people started. Israel used the idea that they were trying to regain the hostages to occupy Gaza; this has been shown to be a lie.”

Today marks two years since Hamas attacked the Gaza envelope of southern Israel, targeting military bases as well as multiple civilian communities. Around 250 Israeli civilians and soldiers were taken to the Gaza Strip as hostages, some of whom currently remain in captivity. Hamas officials deny dozens of allegations of rape and sexual assault, however the Human Rights Watch suggest numerous war crimes were committed. 

Hamas, who are proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK Government, stated the attack was in response to blockade of the Gaza Strip which began in 2007. There is a long history of conflict between the territories, beginning with the Ottoman colonisation in 1882, following the rise of the Zionist movement.   

Following the October 7 attacks, Israel and Palestine have been at war, causing destruction particularly on the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Government has faced widespread criticism for a humanitarian crisis involving civilians. The United Nations state that Israel has committed five genocidal acts against Palestinians in Gaza, as defined by international law. 

Many British universities have pro-Palestine demonstrations scheduled for today. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged students across the United Kingdom not to protest, suggesting it would be “un-British.” 

Glasgow University Justice for Palestine Society (GUJPS) took to Instagram to invite students to “honour our beloved resistance and martyrs.” They are leading a series of workshops today in the cloisters. 

“We honour the resistance which has led the path for our people’s liberation, and fought tirelessly against the most technologically advanced army, yet remain steadfast and undefeated.”

The Glasgow University Conservatives & Unionists have labelled the protests as “disgraceful.” 

The Glasgow University Conservatives & Unionists have labelled the protests as “disgraceful.” 

They told Hillhead Review, “Views on the situation in the Middle East vary among our members where there is recognition of the suffering of the Palestinian people and desire for peace. However, the decision by some on campus to hold protests and glorify terrorism on [the] anniversary of the 7th October is disgraceful. The 7th October 2023 was the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust and saw some of the worst barbarity.

“We urge those involved in today’s actions to stop and show some respect. Supporting peace and Palestinian rights and commemorating the awful events of 2 years ago are not mutually exclusive.”

The Glasgow University Scottish National Association said: “The ongoing genocide in Gaza remains profoundly alarming and heartbreaking to our members. The words we shared two years ago, calling for a cessation of hostilities, still ring painfully true today. The UK Government must move beyond symbolic recognition of Palestine and take meaningful action, including an immediate cessation of arms exports and joining European partners in calling for sanctions on Israel.

“On campus, we are deeply concerned by rising tensions and increasingly polarised rhetoric. We urge the University to engage with the Divestment Coalition in good faith, to ease these tensions and foster open, constructive dialogue with the wider student body.

“The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental pillar of democracy in this country. While it is important not to glorify terrorism or violence, it is equally vital to uphold and protect the right to free assembly. We believe that the overwhelming majority of those protesting against genocide today do so peacefully and in good faith.”

The University of Glasgow Liberal Democrats told Hillhead Review, “Whilst we recognise the right to protest and the importance of freedom of speech on campus, especially with regards to the prosecution of the war in Gaza– we believe that the anniversary of the October 7th terror attacks is emphatically not the time to be holding rallies.

“Doing so inflames tensions, is disrespectful to the memory of the victims of the attack, and is worrisome for the Jewish community on Campus- with whom we stand unequivocally.”

The University of Glasgow has been contacted for comment.