On the morning of 27 March, Edinburgh University Justice for Palestine Society (EUJPS) announced that they have occupied Appleton Tower.
They have renamed the building, located in George Square, the Jawad Abu Nassar Tower, in memory of a child who was “held in custody and tortured by Israeli Forces.”
The occupation follows a number of EUJPS take-overs of Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre, including one which began on Tuesday 24 March and is ongoing.
EUJPS have stated that they are occupying the buildings because of “continued impunity” from the University of Edinburgh and to “reiterate the majority student demand.”
One student reported hearing a security guard at Appleton Tower say the occupation is “unfair to the other students because they’re paying to be here, although they do have freedom of speech so they can do what they want.”
EUJPS state that divestment is key for student experience, as students’ tuition fees are being invested in companies complicit with genocide.
Pro-Palestine protests have been ongoing on campus due to the university’s lack of acceptance of EUJPS’ demands including divestment from companies complicit in the ongoing genocide, scholarships for Gazan students, and protection of the right to protest on campus.
EUJPS state that the demands follow a history of investment in “materially upholding an apartheid and genocidal regime,” and continued repression of students’ right to protest.
This has been supported by a UN report, naming the University of Edinburgh as “one of the most financially entangled” in Israel and firms aiding Israeli Military operations, including Leonardo S.P.A and Ben-Gurion University.
The occupation of both Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre and Appleton Tower have led to the disruption and cancellation of lectures and classes, although an alternative timetable was quickly provided on Tuesday.
Image by Cordelia Murray-Brown for The Student.