Oxford condemns Gaza activists’ Radcliffe Camera occupation

The University of Oxford has condemned “disruption and distress” caused by student demonstrators who have occupied a historic building.

The Oxford Action for Palestine (OA4P) activist group occupied the Radcliffe Camera, which is part of the Bodleian Library complex, on the morning of 24 January, demanding that the institution divest from arms suppliers.

The Bodleian Libraries, along with Radcliffe Square, were closed to visitors, with emergency services called in to engage with students.

“We cannot abide business as usual while the university continues its deplorable financial and material support, which upholds Israeli occupation and apartheid, and which enabled ruthless Israeli genocide in Gaza,” OA4P said in a statement on X.

In reference to the recently freed Palestinian prisoner, OA4P said its occupation had established “the Khalida Jarrar Library”.

The activist group said that Oxford had received tens of millions of pounds in research funding from arm manufacturers such as Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce.

OA4P has protested repeatedly on Oxford grounds since the pro-Palestinian encampments swept across the UK. A previous occupation of a university building resulted in 16 arrests by local police.

“This escalation has become necessary after the university ceased contact with OA4P negotiators, continued to platform Zionist genocidal apologia, and remained blatantly inactive,” the group added of the latest action.

According to reports in the Oxford Student, the demonstrators used bike locks to secure the doors and climbed out on the roof of the historic building.

An Oxford spokesperson said: “We thoroughly condemn the disruption and distress caused to members of the university by the actions of these individuals.

“While the university supports the right to peaceful protest, this action plainly goes beyond the bounds of acceptable protest and is a clear risk to the safety of protestors, students, staff and members of the public.”

Students were being prevented from using library resources to pursue their education as a result, while a historic building and its contents was also being put “at risk”, according to the statement.

The spokesperson said that students were being advised to avoid the Radcliffe Camera and to use alternative library services while the university safely removes the protestors.

“The protesters are in breach of university regulations and policies and we will be enforcing the university’s disciplinary policies,” they added.

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com