Campus Voices for Palestine
a UK-wide campaign to resist the suppression of Palestine advocacy and any interference with academic freedom in Middle Eastern research
‘Palestine – will not be silenced or erased!’
Dr. Husam Zomlot, Palestinian Ambassador to the UK, delivered a spirited defence of Palestine advocacy in British Higher Education at the launch meeting for the ‘Campus Voices for Palestine’ campaign. He concluded with a call to ‘Build a firewall around our rights!’
See Dr. Zomlot’s talk here: https://youtu.be/1ECZu0oyrWA
The meeting was held in UCL on Thursday 25th January, and hosted by the UCL branch of the University and Colleges Union (UCU).
Dr. Trish McManus (BRICUP and University of Brighton) spoke about the need for a campaign to defend Palestine advocacy and academic freedom in the face of malevolent accusations of antisemitism, banning of events, disinvitation of distinguished professors, suspension and disciplinary action against staff and students, and a culture of silencing.
See Dr. McManus’ talk here: https://youtu.be/E38ksaUdcG0
Dr. Anne Alexander (BRISMES Campaigns and University of Cambridge) spoke about what can and must be done to defend these rights on campuses. She recounted the local activities o staff and student groups at the University of Cambridge, and heated but informative debates in UCU meetings. She stressed the importance of a UK-wide campaign since the attacks were occurring in every nation of the UK.
See Dr. Alexander’s talk here: https://youtu.be/H3QI4OTmOsc
Michael Mansfield KC spoke about principles and legality in defending academic freedom and free expression on campuses. He stressed the importance for colleagues in the academy not to allow themselves to be intimidated by threats or the misuse of accusations of antisemitism. Were he in a university setting, and as a member of the Russell Tribunal on Palestine, he would not shrink from using the words ‘genocide’ and ‘apartheid’ – the inescapable characters of Israel’s operation in Gaza, and the nature of its society.
See Michael Mansfield’s talk here: https://youtu.be/_k_X9hIxCdc
The meeting was also addressed by Ben Jamal (Director PSC), Dr. Kelli Rudolph (University of Kent and CDBU Exec.), Justine Mercer (President UCU), and Sophia Beach (PSC Youth and Student). Their talks can be accessed from the second page of ‘Campus Voices’ on the website:
The Campaign
In various universities across the UK, Palestine events have been banned or curtailed, staff and students have faced disciplinary investigations and suspensions because of social-media posts criticising Israel’s genocide in Gaza, distinguished visiting scholars have had their lectures cancelled, and the wearing of a badge bearing a Palestinian flag has been outlawed in some institutions. A people, its history and its culture, is confronting gradual erasure. Campuses are threatening to become places where ‘Palestine’ is a word that cannot heard.
The campaign is designed to reverse that trend. It will hold meetings on as many UK campuses as possible to discuss the history of Palestine and its colonial settlement, the nature of Zionism as the Israeli state’s founding political ideology, and the record of Palestinian resistance to oppression, dehumanisation and dispossession. Will you help?
• Will you get your school or research centre or your UCU branch to host a ‘Campus Voices for Palestine’ event at your university?
• Will you help financially to cover the travel and accommodation expenses for the tour, and in bringing Palestinian colleagues to the UK?
• Will you join the BRICUP Supporters List for information about future events, developments in Palestinian universities, and to engage in activity where possible?
• Will you add your name to the Academic Commitment for Palestine?
To organise a local meeting at your university: campusvoices4Pal@gmail.com
To join the BRICUP Supporters’ List: https://bricup.org.uk/get-involved/
To sign the Academic Commitment: https://academiccommitmentforpalestine.wordpress.com
To make a financial contribution: via JustGiving: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/campusvoices4Palestine
or by bank transfer to: BRICUP ‘Campus Voices’, Sort Code 08-92-99, Account Number 65156591, IBAN = GB20 CPBK 0892 9965 1565 91, BIC = CPBK GB22