An encampment and blockage established by students at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) calling for the university to cut ties with Israel over its actions in Gaza will end following discussions between the protesters and TCD’s senior management.
The demonstrations began on Friday when tents were pitched on campus and access to the Book of Kells was blocked over the weekend.
In response, university authorities cut off public access to the grounds.
Following a meeting between demonstrators and representatives from the university on Monday, Trinity announced a series of measures it would take in response to the concerns raised by students taking part in the protest.
The encampment and blockade on campus will end today following successful talks between university senior management and protestors. Plans are underway to return to normal university business for students, staff & the public. Read the full statement: https://t.co/Q2zJKKwAig pic.twitter.com/W9C8cjv5Tp
— Trinity College Dublin (@tcddublin) May 8, 2024
While outgoing students’ union president Laszlo Molnarfi described the measures as a “partial victory”, he said the demonstrations would continue until all of their demands were met.
On Wednesday evening, TCD released a statement confirming: “The encampment and blockade on Trinity College Dublin’s campus will end today following successful talks between the university’s senior management and the protestors. The agreement was reached at a meeting this afternoon (Wednesday).”
After the agreement on Wednesday, Mr Molnarfi described the resolution as an “unprecedented” result.
“Students, staff and the public united have pushed Trinity towards boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS),” he said, adding that he hopes the protest will inspire other students.
“It shows the power of grassroots, students and staff fighting for a just cause of Palestinian liberation and to end complicity with Israeli genocide, apartheid and settler colonialism.
“Students over the world are standing up for what is right.”
Solidarity
Senior Dean Prof Eoin O’Sullivan, who led the talks with the protesters on behalf of the university, said they are glad an agreement has been reached, adding they are “committed to further constructive engagement on the issues raised”.
In its statement, TCD reiterated its position regarding some of the concerns raised by the protesters.
“We fully understand the driving force behind the encampment on our campus, and we are in solidarity with the students in our horror at what is happening in Gaza,” the statement said.
It added that the university will complete a divestment from investments in Israeli companies “that have activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and appear on the UN Blacklist in this regard”, which they expect to be completed by June.
It also pointed to the establishment of a new taskforce, which was announced on Monday, and measures to support Palestinian scholars.
The university added: “With the encampment and blockade of the Book of Kells removed, plans are being put in place to return to normal university business for staff, students, and members of the public.”
-Additional reporting by Press Association.
