September 27, 2025
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Campus Voices for Palestine

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a UK-wide campaign to resist the suppression of Palestine advocacy and any interference with academic freedom in Middle Eastern research

‘Palestine will not be silenced or erased!’

Dr. Husam Zomlot, Palestinian ambassador to the UK, delivered a spirited defence of Palestine advocacy in British Higher Education at the launch meeting for the ‘Campus Voices for Palestine’ campaign.

See Dr. Zomlot’s talk here: https://youtu.be/1ECZu0oyrWA

The meeting was held in UCL on Thursday 25th January, and hosted by the UCL branch of the University and Colleges Union (UCU). Other speakers included:

Dr. Trish McManus (BRICUP and University of Brighton) who spoke about the need for a campaign to defend Palestine advocacy and academic freedom (her talk is here: https://youtu.be/E38ksaUdcG0)

Dr. Anne Alexander (BRISMES Campaigns and University of Cambridge) who spoke about what can and must be done to defend these rights on campuses (her talk is here: https://youtu.be/H3QI4OTmOsc)

Michael Mansfield KC who spoke about principles and legality in defending academic freedom and free expression on campuses (his talk is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5qw4yz43ag)

The meeting was also addressed by Ben Jamal (Director PSC), Dr. Kelli Rudolph (University of Kent and CDBU Exec.), Justine Mercer (President UCU), and Sophia Beach (PSC Youth and Student). Their talks can be accessed on the BRICUP website from Monday 5th February:

The Campaign

In various universities across the UK, Palestine events have been banned or curtailed, staff and students have faced disciplinary investigations and suspensions because of social-media posts criticising Israel’s genocide in Gaza, distinguished visiting scholars have had their lectures cancelled, and the wearing of a badge bearing a Palestinian flag has been outlawed in some institutions. A people, its history and its culture, is confronting gradual erasure. Campuses are threatening to become places where ‘Palestine’ is a word that cannot heard.

The campaign is designed to reverse that trend. It will hold meetings on as many UK campuses as possible to discuss the history of Palestine and its colonial settlement, the

nature of Zionism as the Israeli state’s founding political ideology, and the record of Palestinian resistance to oppression, dehumanisation and dispossession. Will you help?

· Will you get your school or research centre or your UCU branch to host a ‘Campus Voices for Palestine’ event at your university?

· Will you help financially to cover the travel and accommodation expenses for the tour, and in bringing Palestinian colleagues to the UK?

· Will you join the BRICUP Supporters List for information about future events, developments in Palestinian universities, and to engage in activity where possible?

· Will you add your name to the Academic Commitment for Palestine?

To organise a local meeting at your university: [email protected]

To join the BRICUP Supporters’ List: https://bricup.org.uk/get-involved/

To sign the Academic Commitment: https://academiccommitmentforpalestine.wordpress.com

To make a financial contribution: via JustGiving: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/campusvoices4Palestine

or by bank transfer to BRICUP:

‘Campus Voices’

Sort Code 08-92-99

Account Number 65156591

IBAN = GB20 CPBK 0892 9965 1565 91

BIC = CPBK GB22

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