Labour and Co-operative Member of
Parliament for Kemptown and Peacehaven

THE OCCUPATION IS IN FULL SWING

by Lloyd on 27.01.09
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Following a rally at midday today, we as students from the University of Bradford began an occupation of the university in an urgent move to demand action from the institution. This comes as Israel today broke their assurance of a ceasefire by launching air attacks and a ground offensive, once again into Gaza.



Over 80 students took over the university board room, adjacent to the vice chancellor’s office, following a rally at midday today. There have been over a dozen successful occupations in other universities across the UK showing solidarity with the Palestinians victims.

The appalling Israeli action has killed over 1,300 Palestinians and injured thousands. Tens of thousands of civilians have been left homeless. Head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency in Gaza, John Ging, is now joining international calls for an investigation into the war crimes of the recent action, wherein Israel stands accused of using banned weapons such as phosphorus bombs, attacking medical facilities, including the killing of 12 paramedics in marked vehicles, and killing large numbers of policemen who had no military role, amongst other atrocious crimes.

Sophia Coles-Riley, a student union officer said “Students here at Bradford are appalled at the occupation of Gaza. We feel that our university should take action to support the people of Palestine. The University’s response so far has not answered our concerns. We intend to continue the occupation until our demands have been adequately responded to.”

Comments

  • In the light of a lack of action on behalf of the University of Bradford following the union general meeting of Thursday 22nd, we the students, have issued a renewed set of demands concerning the conflict in Israel/Palestine:

    The University of Bradford must:

    1. Issue a statement condemning the violence caused by the Israeli occupation of Palestine, and calling for the siege to be lifted on all sides.
    2. Twin with the Islamic University of Gaza and erect a plaque to this effect.
    3. Treat Palestinian students as home students and therefore charge them home fees.
    4. Refuse to stock or contract with companies who support the Israeli occupation. This includes Nestle, Coca Cola, Walkers and Evian.
    5. Pressure Lloyds banking group to act as a clearing bank for Interpal, or agree to transfer its custom to a more ethical bank.
    6. Provide full financial transparency, and disinvest from any and all companies who support the Israeli occupation.
    7. Support actions taking place on campus making people aware of the issues, with no repercussions for any participants.
    8. Pressure the government to support an inquiry on whether Israel is responsible for committing war crimes.

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Labour and Co-operative Member of
Parliament for Kemptown and Peacehaven

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