Palestine Society Continues Advocacy for Emergency Demonstrations

The St Andrews Palestine Solidarity Society has recently supported emergency demonstrations in response to Israel breaking the 42-day ceasefire with Hamas.

According to the St Andrews Union website, the newly affiliated society focuses on advocacy for Palestine. It particularly urges the University to take concrete actions in support of Palestinian students and to recognise the ongoing scholasticide in Gaza and across Palestine. Beyond activism, the society organises cultural and educational events, including teach-ins and film screenings.

Faris Hayatleh, President of the Palestine Solidarity Society, emphasised the urgency behind their latest demonstration, which has largely been organised by the Socialist Worker Student Society (SWSS) in conjunction with the Palestine Society.

“In my view, the emergency [demonstration] was called not just because of the ceasefire breaking, but also because the University, after sixteen months, has essentially been silent on the issue. Our goals have remained the same — for the University to take a stand, at the very least in support of a ceasefire, and to back international calls for boycotts and divestment.”

The society has been pushing for the University of St Andrews to cut financial and institutional ties with companies and organisations linked to the Israeli government and military.

“Our goal is for the University to divest from them because [these organisations] still work in collaboration with the Israeli government and the Israeli military.”

They hope for increased student engagement despite concerns some students may have about publicly participating. Hayatleh stated: “I understand that St Andrews has a lot of international students, many of whom are on visas, and people are worried about publicly taking a stance, but the more people that do so, the safer the environment becomes. Hopefully, in future marches or demonstrations, more students will show up. Any point in the last sixteen months has been important, but now more so than ever, I hope to see more engagement.”

A University spokesperson said:

“We recognise the deep pain and trauma being caused by the ongoing conflict to Palestinians, Israelis, and others in our community; our classmates, friends, teachers, colleagues, and, for many, family. We remain committed to providing pastoral support to all those affected, directly or indirectly, by conflict, injustice, and violence, wherever it occurs.

“As a University with more than 140 nationalities represented across our student body, we recognise our collective responsibility to listen, reflect, and understand the diversity and complexity of views within our community. We remain committed to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all.”

“With regard to our financial practices, the University’s investments are governed by Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, with particular emphasis on social responsibility and human rights. Our endowment funds are held within an ethical investment portfolio, overseen by external fund managers. Through them, we seek to invest in companies that demonstrate a clear commitment to ethical and sustainable practices, including the protection of human rights and responsible engagement with society and the environment.”

Hayatleh, along with student and staff speakers from BAME, MENA, Amnesty International, and SWSS, articulated during a town hall meeting for Palestine that outspoken student support is the most direct path towards meaningful change.

The Palestine Solidarity Society plans to hold further movie screenings to raise awareness. A GoFundMe campaign has also been initiated to support Abeer Almassri. Almassri has been accepted into the St Andrews Education for Palestinian Students (STEPS) program, and the campaign, which has been a focal point for the society this year, will help her with the financial support needed to facilitate her departure from Gaza.

St Andrews Palestine Solidarity Society remains committed to ongoing advocacy and direct action, with further demonstrations likely as the situation in Gaza unfolds.

Photo by University of St Andrews