STUDENTS at campuses across Britain today called on university leaders to divest from firms involved in Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine. 

The action was taken to coincide with the United Nations international day of solidarity with Palestinian people, observed every year on November 29. 

Universities in Britain have investments worth over £450 million in companies complicit in Israeli apartheid, according to 2020 research carried out by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PCS).

Students wrote to university vice-chancellors demanding that investment in arms firms Rolls Royce PLC and BAE Systems — which have supplied weapons used by the Israel military against Gaza — be withdrawn.

They also called on university leaders to divest from Hewlett-Packard (HP), for providing technology to the Israeli army and police, and Booking.com, which recently reneged on plans to designate Israeli settlements listed on the site as “occupied territory,” angering Palestinian rights groups. 

The day of action, supported by students in the US, is part of the growing Divest for Palestine student movement. 

University student Hannaa said: “It’s time to hold our vice-chancellor to account.

“Our university’s investments must be ethical. Money from this institution should absolutely not contribute to the killing of fellow students in Gaza.”

Friend of Al-Aqsa head of public affairs Shamiul Joarder said: “Today’s action shows the strength of support for Palestine on campuses. 

“Across the UK and beyond, students are demanding real change. They won’t accept their universities’ complicity in Israeli war crimes any longer.”

Today also saw Manchester PCS hold a demonstration outside an Israeli arms factory in Shenstone, Staffordshire. The UAV Engines site, owned by Elbit Systems, has been repeatedly targeted by protests.