EDINBURGH University has responded after students led a walk out of their own graduation ceremonies in protest at the institution’s links to Israel.
Video shared on Instagram showed Thursday’s events – which were for graduates of the university’s School of Social and Political Science – being repeatedly interrupted by pro-Palestine protests from the student body.
Graduates waved flags with slogans such as “No universities in Gaza”, “Jews say divest”, and “Fund teaching not genocide” as they took to the stage.
Video on social media showed the event being interrupted as a student protester shouted from the crowd: “How dare you?
“The UN has explicitly named the University of Edinburgh as one of the most significantly financially complicit universities in the Gaza genocide.”
A large group of students were seen to rise, chanting, before walking out of the ceremony.
The Edinburgh University Justice for Palestine Society posted other clips and reported that further protests had happened during ceremonies for biomedical sciences, engineering, chemistry, physics, and English.
It came after a report by Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, named the University of Edinburgh as one of “the most financially entangled” institutions in the UK to Israel.
"With both direct and indexed investments, the university ranks among the most financially entangled institutions in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,” Albanese reported.
"The university also partners with firms aiding Israeli military operations, including Leonardo S.p.A. and Ben-Gurion University, through the AI and Data Science Lab at Ben Gurion University, sharing research that directly links it with assaults on Palestinians.”
Responding, Professor Colm Harmon, the university’s vice-principal students, said: “We are disappointed that protestors chose to disrupt Thursday’s graduation ceremonies.
“We respect lawful and peaceful protest, but having the ceremony interrupted in this way created an intimidating and hostile environment that was deeply disrespectful to our graduates, guests and university staff.
“These events are hugely significant milestones for our graduates and we ask for everyone to be respectful of those who have come to celebrate their achievements with their family and supporters.
“We will continue to do everything we can to minimise disruption and are sorry for the impact this had on what is meant to be a truly important celebratory moment.”
Separately, a spokesperson for the university said that a new Responsible Investment Advisory Group had been set up to “inform the university’s approach to responsible investment, carefully considering the diverse perspectives and concerns of our community”.
They added: “We unequivocally condemn the violence and suffering resulting from events in Israel and Gaza in recent years.
“While our commitment as a global institution to act in accordance with our values is unwavering, it is essential that any actions taken are measured, responsible and fully consultive.”
Last week, Edinburgh Napier University cut its live stream off after a student began a pro-Palestine demonstration at a graduation ceremony.
