University staff back pro-Palestine protesters

More than 200 university staff have signed an open letter in support of student pro-Palestinian protesters.

The academics at Durham University have called on management to "constructively and substantively enter negotiations" with the students.

The protesters have set up an encampment on Palace Green and have been campaigning against the Israel-Gaza war since 10 May.

The university said it was in "regular dialogue" with the students and supported the right to "lawful protest and freedom of speech where it is done in a safe and respectful way".

The campaigners are calling for the university to disclose all investments, collaborations and partnerships from any firm or organisation "complicit in Israel’s violations of human rights and international law".

As of 23 May, 222 staff members had signed the letter.

Dr Philip Goff, who works in the university's philosophy department and is one of the academics who signed the letter, told the BBC that the demands of the students could help in part to put pressure on British politicians to force Israel to end illegal settlements.

"The demands of the protesters for the university to disclose investments from any organisation complicit in Israel’s violations of international law represent one small part of the pressure that needs to be applied," he said.

Pro-Palestinian protests have been happening at universities around the country.

Earlier this month, the leaders of 17 universities met the prime minister to discuss the protests and steps they should take to tackle antisemitism.

According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 33,000 people have been killed in Israel's offensive in Gaza, the majority of them civilians.

Israel rejects accusations that it is engaging in genocidal acts in Gaza, and has insisted it has the right to defend itself following the armed incursion by Hamas on 7 October.

Durham University pro-vice chancellor Dr Shaid Mahmood said: "We welcome the opportunity for continued, open conversation with all our students."

A spokesperson for the student protesters said they were "delighted" to see so many staff members back them.

"Our demands are fair and reasonable - and while we enter early discussions with the university, it reinforces the view that there is large support behind our encampment and demands," they said.

"We are looking forward to continuing discussions with the university and seeing our demands being met."

Correction 12th September: We originally inaccurately reported that Dr Philip Goff had told the BBC that the demands of the students could help in part to put pressure on British politicians to force Israel to end its settlements “in Gaza”. In fact Israel withdrew its troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005 and so we have removed the reference to Gaza from this sentence.

Follow BBC North East on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].