UEL students in occupation over atrocities in Gaza

On the afternoon of Wednesday the 18th of February over 50 students of the University of East London occupied a lecture theatre in protest over Israel's blockade of Gaza and the recent atrocities inflicted upon the people of Palestine.  We have remained in occupation for over four days now.

On the afternoon of Wednesday the 18th of February over 50 students of the University of East London occupied a lecture theatre in protest over Israel's blockade of Gaza and the recent atrocities inflicted upon the people of Palestine.  We have remained in occupation for over four days now.

The speakers of the initial meeting, organised by the  "Stop the War" society at UEL included Lindsey German, convenor of the Stop the War Coalition, Professor Haim Bresheeth, an ex Israeli pilot and lecturer at UEL and two students who had witnessed first hand the atrocities in the Occupied Territories. It was attended by over 160 students, lecturers and members of the community. Such overwhelming support has continued throughout the occupation

Following the meeting many passionate students felt compelled to take immediate action.  By occupying the lecture theatre we felt we could bring attention to the plight of the Palestinian people and show our outrage at the appalling actions of the Israeli Government and its genocidal tactics used against Palestinians. 

Alongside students of 32 other universities in Britain to take such actions we issued a number of demands to the University that, when they are met, will change the lives of many Palestinians living in the Gaza strip.  We are fully committed to all our demands, and shall remain in the occupied space until each and every one is met to our satisfaction.

We, the occupying students, demand that the Vice Chancellor of UEL issues a clear statement condemning Israeli war crimes and the continued blockade of the Gaza Strip.  Other demands include the raising of financial aid for the reconstruction of Gaza via an official day of collection for the Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) campaign on campus.

Appalled by the deliberate attacks on educational establishments by the Israeli Defence Force, students also demanded that the University sends any surplus academic equipment to Universities in Gaza; fully funded scholarships for Palestinian students; as well as an invitation to the Islamic University of Gaza to open a partnership between the two academic institutions.

In just over two days, 1200 signatures have been collected in support of both our actions and our demands, showing students from numerous backgrounds, religions and political affiliations are supporting our course. Moreover, UEL lecturers representing the Union of Colleges and Universities have expressed their unconditional support.

Our actions of solidarity are only a small fraction of the actions of hundreds of thousands of the British public who campaign for the end of the Israeli Occupation in Palestine. They also mirror a shift in world public opinion on the reality of the situation in Palestine. Despite the refusal of the worlds mainstream media to report on the truth of the conflict people are learning the facts and one day Palestinians will receive justice. We are therefore calling on other students, community members and the media for further support.

Throughout the occupation we are hosting meetings with guest speakers and film directors such as John Rose, the highly regarded author on the conflict, and Phil Maxwell, the critically acclaimed director of the antiwar film "Not in our Name".  We welcome all visitors to our meetings at 5.pm everyday and any messages of support. Please stay updated via our blog at www.ueloccupation.blogspot.com

Contact email: ueloccupation@gmail.com