A student encampment set up by UCC BDS demanding University College Cork takes specific actions to end ties with Israel, has the full support of the Union of Students in Ireland.
UCC BDS set up tents at the college last night to protest a response from UCC President, John O’Halloran to an open letter from UCCSU demanding full divestment by UCC from all financial ties to companies that are funding and profiting from the occupation of Palestine and the genocide in Gaza.
UCCSU has released a statement in support of the protest and is currently collecting and providing supplies for the students involved, and USI is also supporting and working with the group.
Working with USI, UCC BDS has uncovered a number of academic and other ties between UCC and Israel, and the group will protest until UCC commits to fully ending its complicity with Israel, the oppressors of the Palestinian State and people.
One particular concern of UCC BDS, UCCSU and USI, is UCC’s involvement in Horizon 2024, a multi-lateral research project which includes Israel, that earlier this year released a white paper exploring how research being carried out by higher education institutions can be used for civilian and military purposes.
Involvement in Horizon 2024 makes Higher Education Institutions complicit in the actions of the Israeli military.
The protesting students have clearly laid out their demands, which include divesting fully from Israel and setting BDS standards as university-wide policy.
Setting out the union’s support for the encampment, USI Vice President for Campaigns, Zaid Al-Barghouthi said: “We stand in full solidarity and support of UCC BDS, and we are ready to offer our support to both UCC BDS and UCCSU in whatever capacity needed. USI very much welcomes this action and the official establishment of the UCC BDS group. USI is glad to have played a role in exposing the ties that UCC has with Israel, that this protest is targeting.
“Like other institutions, UCC is using cries of academic freedom to counter these demands, but these connections are a direct attack on the academic integrity of researchers and staff at the university. The student movement is sending a very clear message to institutions that it is either full divestment or students in tents on campuses.
USI also welcomes the encampment set up by UCD BDS and we wish them the very best with their demands and protest.