Dublin: Trinity College in Dublin saw a significant victory for the students’ union in the anti-Israel movement that unfolded on its campus. The movement concluded after the university fully embraced all the demands put forth by the union, including the withdrawal from engagements with Israeli companies. Trinity College ultimately voiced condemnation for the atrocities of October 7th and the ongoing conflict and violence in Gaza.
In an official statement, the college expressed its alignment with the International Court of Justice’s stance, urging Israel to withdraw from areas associated with genocide. Consequently, Trinity College pledged to divest itself from connections with Israeli companies operating in the occupied Palestinian territories by June.
The protest, which included a five-day camp-out on the college grounds, disrupted access to the renowned Book of Kells. Student demonstrators insisted on severing ties with Israel and condemning the conflict in Gaza. This movement mirrored similar actions initiated in the United States, where thousands of students have been arrested in recent weeks for participating in pro-Palestinian protests.
Following the strike, the college campus was temporarily closed over the weekend due to security concerns. Trinity College, in its statement, underscored its commitment to divest from investments in Israeli companies present in the occupied Palestinian territories, listed on the UN blacklist, by June. A dedicated task force will be established to oversee this process.
Moreover, the college clarified that an Israeli company will remain on the list of suppliers until March 2025 due to existing agreements. The task force will also conduct a comprehensive review of Trinity’s student exchanges with Israel, with recommendations to be presented to the university’s principal committees.
The President of the Students’ Union, Laszlo Molnarfi, hailed the university’s decision as a historic one. Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik and Senator Annie Hoey also commended Trinity’s proactive stance on this issue.
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