STUDENTS who have set up camp at the heart of the University of Glasgow’s campus insist they are going nowhere until the institution cuts its links with arms companies and Israel.

Weeks of protests at the university have seen hundreds of students and staff organise numerous rallies, occupations, “teach-ins” and three students launch a hunger strike in a bid to have the institution axe its £6.8 million investments in arms giants such as BAE Systems, as well as its 23 active research grants with the firms totalling over £60m.

Now, the students — determined to see the university cut ties with companies they argue make it complicit in Israel’s genocide of the people of Palestine — have set up camp outside the library.

A Palestinian student involved in the encampment said: “Glasgow University cannot keep profiting off the blood of my people in Palestine with immunity.

“As students of conscience, we’re here to hold this university accountable and show them that no repressive action they take will deter us from fighting for Palestinian liberation.” 

Another student said: “They invest over £6m in the murderous arms industry, including in BAE Systems, who make missile systems for F-35 fighter jets, the same jets Israel used in its genocidal bombardment of Palestinians in Gaza.

“Enough is enough.”

The students did not wish to be named.

University rector Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah added: “I support the students in their righteous outrage at the ongoing genocide and UK government complicity.

“The slaughter of innocent civilians is being carried out using weapons that are partly or fully manufactured by UK arms companies that the university holds shares in and is thus a part owner of.”

A university spokesperson said it “upholds the right to freedom of expression, including the right of staff and students to engage in peaceful demonstrations.”