Dozens of graduating students have exited the University of Edinburgh’s McEwan Hall during graduation ceremonies, with others waving Palestine flags or displaying banners calling for divestment.
Graduates first walked out from the School of Literature, Languages, and Cultures on Thursday 3rd July and similar action has continued since.
Edinburgh University Justice for Palestine posted the footage on social media saying the action was in protest of “[the University of Edinburgh’s] shameful complicity in the mass starvation of children [and] genocide.”
The footage has gained over 22,000 likes at the time of writing, and nearly 1,000 comments.
One Instagram user who was present at the ceremony described the protest as “dignified and respectful” but said that “even if it hadn’t been it still would have been right to [take action].”
Others commented that the students were hypocritical for accepting their degrees in the first place.
The University of Edinburgh was recently named in a UN report titled From Economy of Occupation to Economy of Genocide.
The report, written by United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, said: “Many universities have upheld ties with Israel despite the post-October 2023 escalation.
“One of many British examples, the University of Edinburgh holds nearly £25.5 million… [in] Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft and IBM – central to Israel’s surveillance apparatus and the ongoing Gaza destruction.”
Albanese stated that the University “ranks among the UK’s most financially entangled institutions” with the ongoing conflict.
As of 31 January 2025, the University of Edinburgh held £7.5m in Alphabet (owner of Google) and £6.8m in Microsoft.
The University also indirectly holds £58m in Blackrock — an investment management company that owns 8.6 per cent of Palantir and recently purchased near £50m of Israeli government debt.
The report also criticised the University Defence Research Collaboration in Signal Processing, which sees the University partner with defense companies including Leonardo.
A University spokesperson told The Telegraph: “We unequivocally condemn the violence and suffering resulting from events in Israel and Gaza in recent years. While our commitment as a global institution to act in accordance with our values is unwavering, it is essential that any actions taken are measured, responsible and fully consultive.”
They also pointed to the establishment of a new Responsible Investment Advisory Group that will meet from the start of the 2025/2026 academic year.
Gaza’s health ministry says the total death toll has risen to 57,338 — the vast majority being women and children — during Israel’s war against Hamas.
The Israeli military launched its campaign in response to the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.
Hamas still holds 50 hostages in Gaza, 20 of which are thought to still be alive.
“Encontro com relatora especial da ONU, Francesca Albanese – Out.24 (54303679102) (cropped)” by Esquerda.net is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.