British university cuts ties with Israeli arms manufacturers after public outcry

After persistent advocacy efforts from students and staff, a university in the United Kingdom has decided to halt its investments in companies involved with weapons and arms production linked to Israel.

In response to widespread protests, rallies, marches, and advocacy efforts led by the student coalition, the University of York has officially announced its divestment from arms companies associated with Israel.

Over the weekend, in an exciting development, the largest UK organization advocating for Palestinian rights, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), along with the University of York Palestinian Solidarity Society, shared big news in a collaborative Instagram announcement on Saturday.

“After prolonged protests, rally’s, marches and direct action by students, the University of York has been forced to complete full divestment from weapons and arms manufacturers and announced this through a public statement on 11th of April 2024,” the post said, adding that they will continue with their campaign to hold the university to account and call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

According to PSC’s research, a freedom of information request revealed that the university has invested a total of £33,251 into two tech companies, Cisco Systems and Smiths Group.

PSC says Cisco design technologies used by Israel to facilitate its occupation of Palestinian territories. Smiths Group applied for 32 arms export licenses to Israel to the British government and has supplied many components to the F-35 Lightning programme, which has been used in Israel’s 2021 strikes on Gaza.

Student-led protests

The UK is currently witnessing a wave of protests on university campuses nationwide following similar actions in the United States.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by UOY Palsoc (@uoypalsoc)

Students from the University of Warwick set up an encampment in its piazza on Friday, calling for the institution to divest from companies they say are linked to Israel’s war on Gaza. At University College London, students staged a rally calling for a free Palestine and an end to the occupation.

PSC found that UK Universities collectively invest over £420 million in companies linked to Israel’s violations of international law.

Its current bombardment on Gaza has killed over 34,000 Palestinian civilians and injured over 77,000.