Students from Oxford and Cambridge have set up encampments on the grass in front of their respective branches in solidarity with them Gaza.
Pro-Palestinian supporters in Oxford this morning pitched their tents outside the Pitt Rivers Museum, which they say contains 'a disturbing trove of artefacts stolen from colonized peoples around the world'.
Similarly, students, working with organizers in Cambridge, set up a base on the lawn of King's College because the university ' Israel'genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza'.
Both groups say they “will not rest until their demands are met” as study tents, toilet facilities and food preparation areas are already in place.
CAMBRIDGE: Students set up a camp this morning in solidarity with Gaza
OXFORD: They say they 'will not rest until their demands are met' with study tents, toilet facilities and food preparation areas already in place
The action comes after weeks of protests at American universities, with dozens of students arrested at the University of Virginia this morning. Pictured: Protesters in Oxford singing
The action comes after weeks of protests at American universities, with dozens of students arrested at the University of Virginia this morning.
The growing number of demonstrations has raised “serious” concerns among the government that campus protests could escalate into violence, as is the case in the US.
In Oxford, protest leaders, who have dubbed their camp a “liberated zone,” put up a sign with a list of six demands on university heads, including “boycotting Israeli genocide, apartheid and occupation,” “making all finances public,” 'stop banking with Barclays', help rebuild Gaza's education system and 'break free from Israeli genocide, apartheid and occupation'.
In addition, they have argued that 'Oxford men are orchestrating the occupation', specifically blaming Alfred Milner and Cecil Rhodes, and that 'Oxford men are facilitating genocide'.
CAMBRIDGE: Students gave speeches outlining their demands during sit-in protests
CAMBRIDGE: Protesters paint signs as they stage demonstrations on their university lawns, echoing similar encampments seen across the US
In a video published on X you can hear the group in Oxford singing: 'We are the people. We will not be silenced. Stop the bombing, now, now.”
A spokesperson for the University of Oxford told MailOnline that there is 'no place for intolerance' and that the protest must be carried out with 'respect, civility and empathy'.
But adding, “We respect the right of our students and employees to freedom of expression in the form of peaceful protests.
'Oxford University's primary focus is the health and safety of the university community, and to ensure that the impact on work, research and learning, including student examinations, is minimised.
“The Natural History Museum and the Pitt Rivers Museum remain open.”
Campers in Cambridge have argued that their university is 'complicit in genocide' because of its 'financial and academic ties' to Israel.
It claimed: 'Cambridge University has more than $46 million in partnerships with the defense industry, contributing to the production of weapons that Israel has used to kill more than 40,000 Palestinians, 40 percent of whom are children, and to kill every university in Gaza.”
Cambridge University has also been approached for comment.
OXFORD: Students have set up a base on the lawn of King's College because the university 'supports the Israeli genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza'
OXFORD: The growing number of demonstrations has raised 'serious' government concerns that campus protests could escalate into violence, as evidenced in the US
This follows other Russell Group universities, including Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Sheffield and Newcastle, which have set up tents and placed anti-Israel signs calling for an end to military action in the Gaza Strip.
Students from the University of Manchester filled nearby Brunswick Park with banners, plaques and Palestinian flags calling on the university to end “its partnership with systems that support Israel.”
One banner read: “UOM blood on your hands,” while another claimed: “UOM supports the Israeli genocide.”
In Bristol, hand-painted banners carrying rebellious messages were placed between tents as students lobbied their university to cut ties with arms companies and support calls for a ceasefire as the war rages in the Levant continues.
Large crowds have also formed in Newcastle as students say their protest will 'underline the institution's investment strategy and its complicity in the Israeli army's war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank'.
At Newcastle University, campers were entertained by a Palestinian DJ and given regular food supplies, as well as vouchers for free drinks at the university bar.
NEWCASTLE: Students say their protest 'highlights the institute's investment strategy and its complicity in the Israeli army's war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank'
NEWCASTLE: The protest in Newcastle is one of a growing number of protests on campuses at Russell Group universities across the UK
NEWCASTLE: Campers were entertained by a Palestinian DJ and provided with regular food supplies, as well as vouchers for free drinks at the university bar
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said police “will have our full support” to tackle potential disorder if students try to copy the violent demonstrations recently seen on US university campuses.
Jewish community leaders urged universities to close camps, fearing Jewish students could be “harassed and excluded.”
The Number 10 spokesperson said: 'We have always been clear that Jewish students should feel safe on campuses and while our universities are rightly proud of their openness, tolerance and diversity, it is of course absolutely clear that any antisemitism is not should be tolerated.
“We have always been clear that people have the right to peaceful and lawful protest, but we are clear that people should not abuse that right to intimidate others and cause unnecessary disruption.
“It is clear that the police already have extensive public order powers to tackle disorder at protests and will continue to have our full support in doing so if necessary.”