Students 'we don't want to close camp until Gaza is resolved'
Students have been camping on site for a month
Last updated 13th Jun 2024
There's now between 30 and 50 students a night camping on the grounds of Exeter University - and students have told us they're looking at how that could continue over the Summer.
They're protesting over the situation in Gaza, and calling for the University to end some international partnerships.
Student Harry Long says they invite daily speakers and academics to the camp to discuss the international situation - and have been humbled by the support and generosity they've received from across Devon with things like tents.
The situation in Gaza was discussed at Exeter University yesterday with Exeter's Israeli historian Ilan Pappé and the UN special rapporteur for Palestine Francesca Albanese taking part.
It was arranged by the Exeter Liberation Encampment for Palestine which has spent a month camping on site - as well as staging peaceful protests and lobbying university staff.
The campaign group say their aims include 'pressuring the university to meet our demands which are as follows: cutting ties with arms companies which supply military goods to Israel; ending academic partnerships with Israeli universities; supporting the reconstruction of Gazan higher education by giving scholarships to Gazan students; and to safeguard pro-Palestine students and staff's academic freedom and freedom of speech'.
This week Qatar and Egypt say they've received a response from Hamas over proposals for a truce in Gaza.
The two countries say they'll continue to mediate between the Palestinian militant group and the US.
The UN Security Council this week also passed a resolution endorsing a ceasefire plan aimed at ending the war there.
A spokesperson for the University of Exeter said:"We remain deeply concerned and distressed by the violence in Israel, Palestine and the Middle East.
"We are working directly with those members of our community who are most affected by this ongoing conflict, to hear their experiences and to offer our support.
"We are unambiguous in our support for all colleagues and students at this time, including our commitment to protecting the right to debate openly and freely.
"The University is committed to the protection of freedom of speech and academic freedom, alongside our duty of care to our community. We respect the right to protest, providing such protests are carried out safely, respectfully and within the law.
"Representatives of the University and the Students' Guild have met with the protestors regularly to ensure their welfare and listen to their concerns.
"We also remain in regular dialogue with students to consider their concerns, which we hope will lead to constructive progress.
"While we promote a culture of debate, built on the principle of tolerance of different views and beliefs, we are asking those taking part not to disrupt or prevent day-to-day events, such as exams and teaching, taking place."