This petition is being addressed to the Governing Body of the University of Glasgow. It highlights an urgent matter of justice and human rights in respect of the University’s investment in various corporations complicit in the atrocities taking place in Palestine. In excess of 250 organisations have labelled Israel’s devastating premeditated killing of civilians as genocide. These organisations include: The United Nations, Human Rights Watch, International Court of Human Rights,  US Centre for Constitutional Rights, Amnesty International, Oxfam and The International Red Cross. 

As University of Glasgow alumni, current students, faculty, and the local community, we find it contrary to our shared values of justice, equality, and peace, to be indirectly linked to these appalling investments. This issue is not only pivotal for upholding principles of truth, justice, and fairness, but aligns with the moral responsibilities of academic institutions not to be passive contributors to violence.

Since 19th March 2025, Glasgow University students have taken part in a hunger strike. This form of protest has been undertaken following a full year of campaigning for divestment.

The most urgent demand in regards to the hunger strike is for the University to hold an emergency court meeting to vote immediately and unconditionally on the divestment of the £6.8 million they have directly invested in arms companies. This divestment is something the vast majority of students and staff are in favour of.

In June 2024, the University Court was to vote on divestment. This was replaced by a Social Responsible Investment Policy, which was vague, complicated and poorly advertised. However, 86% of students and 82% of staff remained in favour of divestment. Despite receiving these significant results, the unelected University Court members (some of whom do not live or spend time in Glasgow) voted to go against student and staff wishes, by not divesting.

Students have set up a safe and peaceful encampment on Library Hill in honour of Dima Alhaj, a Glasgow University alumni, who worked as part of the Trauma and Emergency Team for the World Health Organisation in occupied Palestinian territory. Dima, along with many members of her family, including her 6 month old baby, were killed by an Israeli attack in November 2023. 

The students have clear and just demands from their University, which can be found on their Instagram (@gu_jps). While divesting from the arms industry is the main priority, some other demands include the following:

- Cutting research ties worth £60 million with arms companies.

- Banning arms companies, and other visitors who support the ethnic cleansing and genocide of Palestine from Glasgow University campus.

- No repercussions for student activists, including the student who has been banned from campus for pro-Palestine activism.

The aim of this petition is to encourage the University to establish an open dialogue with the students who are raising their voices against the above complicity in genocide. Currently the University is threatening daily police action due to ‘breach of the peace’. This is clearly a falsehood; the encampment is a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space, where young children and retired pensioners are observed offering solidarity to the students. 

If you wish to inform the University of Glasgow that you find the space non-threatening, and are proud to share a city with these individuals, for their solidarity and humanity, the email address is student-conduct@glasgow.ac.uk

This petition is advocating for there to be no penalties for faculty, staff, or students, who are protesting to rectify Glasgow University’s stance, consistent with the right to freedom of expression.

Please sign this petition to influence decisive action in this matter.