Pro-Palestinian tent camps seen at British university as chaos erupts
Scores of pro-Palestine encampments are being erected at British universities after seemingly being inspired by protests on US campuses.
Tents, banners and gazebos have been set up in Leeds, Bristol, Manchester, Sheffield, Newcastle and Warwick with demonstrators refusing to leave until the universities meet their demands.
Last night Jewish community leaders urged universities to shut down encampments over fears Jewish students may be ‘harassed and excluded’.
Demonstrators have demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and have called for institutions to offer scholarships to displaced Palestinians.
It follows protests on US campuses including at New York’s Columbia University.
Activists have also displayed signs criticising the universities, such as in Leeds where a banner read ‘IDF off campus’.
Scores of pro-Palestine encampments are being erected at British universities (stock image)
Tents, banners and gazebos have been set up in Leeds (pictured), Bristol, Manchester, Sheffield, Newcastle and Warwick
In February a Jewish chaplain at Leeds University was forced into hiding with his young family after receiving death threats over his role as an IDF reservist.
Jonathan Turner, chief executive of UK Lawyers for Israel, said: ‘Universities should take immediate legal action to remove these encampments before Jewish and other students are harassed and excluded.’
A spokesman for Jewish charity Community Security Trust said: ‘While the right to protest is important, university authorities must ensure that other students do not have their lectures or exams disrupted, and that any examples of hate speech or support for terrorism are dealt with robustly.’
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