Trinity students end Palestine protest after talks with university
Students had been taking part in an encampment protest over the Gaza conflict on the grounds of Trinity College in Dublin.
A five-day protest at Trinity college over the war in Palestine has ended following talks between the university’s senior management and protestors.
The protest resulted in the closure of the college to the public and a blockade of the Book of Kells.
Up to 70 tents had been erected by more than 100 students on the campus who wanted the college to cut all ties with businesses and institutions in Israel.
Trinity College said: “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.
“We abhor and condemn all violence and war, including the atrocities of October 7, the taking of hostages and the continuing ferocious and disproportionate onslaught in Gaza.
The college confirmed it 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. This process is expected to be completed by June.
“Trinity will endeavour to divest from investments in other Israeli companies. This issue will be considered by a taskforce as a first step.
“On review, Trinity can confirm that its supplier list currently contains just one Israeli company which will remain until March 2025 for contractual reasons."
The college said it has been working with local and international stakeholders to facilitate access to Trinity for students from Gaza seeking to continue their education.
“To date, we have identified places for eight scholars — six postgraduate and two undergraduates,” the college said.
The outgoing president of the students' union László Molnárfi told the Irish Examiner: “It’s a fantastic agreement. Trinity college Dublin has effectively agreed to work towards divestment from Israel institutions, companies, suppliers and a taskforce and will look at the issues raised, and there will be student and staff involved."
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach has said it is "important" that universities examine links and divestment.
Simon Harris said: "I will not comment on any individual protest but, more broadly, all universities should reflect issues on links and divestment.
"I believe that a number of them are now, which is important."
University College Cork (UCC) Students' Union issued a public letter, addressed to the university president asking the institution to condemn the genocide in Gaza and to call for a permanent ceasefire.
It also asked the college to offer support to Palestinian students affected by the war.
It also said that if there is no satisfactory response received by the college by close of business this Friday, the union will "have no choice but to escalate to further action".
In a statement, a spokesperson for the university said it "received the letter from the UCC Students Union yesterday and the university is giving the letter is considered attention".
