Students say direct action is needed after they protested to stop Edinburgh University Courts financial links to Israel.
The Edinburgh University Justice for Palestine Society led the action on Monday, accusing the university of repeatedly failing to divest from companies connected to the Gaza conflict.
The protest began shortly after 8am, when banners were placed across the St Cecilia’s Hall entrance and students formed a picket to stop court members entering.
Organisers said the disruption was necessary to stop the court “conducting business as usual”, while major investments remain in firms supplying Israel.
A student at the University of Edinburgh who requested to stay anonymous commented on members of the court: “People going in had to be shown physically the support for the cause”.
Campaigners referenced a recent UN report listing Edinburgh as one of the UK’s most financially entangled universities in companies linked to Israel. They said earlier student actions such as motions, petitions and hunger strikes had been met with delays instead of meaningful progress.
Frustration has increased due to what is being seen as institutional avoidance. The interviewee added: “Protests can feel like the only way of actually doing something…These institutions avoid accountability unless pressure is applied.”
Students raised concerns about the risks associated with pro-Palestine activism on campus and how the law is trying to stop it. The interviewee said: “It’s a scare tactic to suppress protest and instil fear. I don’t want it to stop my support, but there is a real threat of arrest.”
A passing student, David Laverty, added: “I have mixed feelings about studying at the university during the tensions…It’s hard to want to study here when all this is happening, but I agree with the cause, so I’m torn.”
The University of Edinburgh has not provided a comment.
