John Swinney, has declared that the Scottish Government will no longer support the Israeli army, and that any defence company seeking support from the Scottish Government would now have to “demonstrate that its products are not involved militarily with Israel”. Will the University of Glasgow follow suit? The University continues to invest in arms companies which have definite links to the war on Palestinians led by the IDF.
“There is a genocide going on in Gaza I cannot ignore”: UofG must do the same.
Students at the University have not had a moment to rest, protesting continuously throughout the year. Making sure that it is overwhelmingly obvious through demonstrations including occupations of buildings such as the Sir Charles Wilson. The hard picket formed outside of the Rankine, and ensuring Micheal Gove hears an echo of boos as he exits his events on campus.
The Students Representative Council, attempted to transcend these political sentiments into bureaucratic action – and so a referendum was called. Should the University of Glasgow stop investing in companies that earn more than 10% of their revenue from the arms and defence industry? 89.3% of those polled voted in favour.
When explaining their reasoning for ignoring the vote outcome, the University stated that they must align their actions with the actions of the rest of the country. That them divesting “ could be interpreted as a signal that the University was opposed to the existence of the UK defence sector.”
With this reasoning being wiped off the table by Swinney, all that remains of their reasoning is their financial links with the defense sector. So will the University continue to happily welcome money which flows from their endowment portfolios to their bank account in the thousands or will they follow the rule of law? If the University similarly requires that any defence contractors who wanted financial help in Scotland would have to prove their products would not be used by the Israel Defense Forces – then many companies which form the endowment fund would be flagged. Companies such as BAE Systems, in which the University has investments would lose the financial support of the University.
The UK government has announced that BAE’s shipyards on the River Clyde would play a key role in a record £10bn deal with Norway to build five new Type 26 frigates, securing 2,000 jobs in Scotland.
In a City like Glasgow with such links to shipmaking. The equipping of a genocide is merely not enough to convince Glaswegians to reinstate themselves in the family trade. Kate Forbes, the deputy first minister, announced Scottish Enterprise would give BAE Systems £9.22m for a new skills and training academy. Dangling money like a carrot on a stick is no way of closing a contract.
We will see whether the University ignores not only its own student body but also the government of which the soil its University is built on – and continues to invest in the arms industry.
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