A rally organized by the Edinburgh University Justice for Palestine Society (EUJPS) and a coalition of societies took place today, 7 October 2025.
Falling on the second anniversary of the Hamas attacks, protestors demanded divestment by the university in companies complicit in Israeli’s Gaza offensive, and accused the institution of complicity through the ongoing Careers Service Fair, hosting companies and organisations including BlackRock, the British Army, and the Royal Air Force.
The gathering began at 1pm by the Main Library before moving towards Bristo Square and the Law School, with a crowd of around 200. Police and university security were also present, following the rally throughout the two hours.
The planned demonstration comes after an email was sent out by Peter Mathieson, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the university, requesting members of the community “to think carefully about their actions” and not to “glorify acts of gratuitous violence against innocents.”
In direct response to the communication, EUJPS and ‘The Student Coalition for Palestine’ posted a statement accusing Mathieson and the university of weaponising the recent attack at Heaton Park Synagogue, which was echoed by the Edinburgh University Kehillah of Jewish students during the rally.
Writing in The Times, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it was “un-British” to hold protests on the anniversary of the attacks against Israel.
Image via Coline Coubat