Our University community continues to be deeply affected by the ongoing crisis in Gaza, Palestine and Israel, and the tragic loss of human life. We understand the strength of feeling among colleagues and students, and empathise with the grief and distress many are experiencing.

It has been harrowing to see the loss of life and continuing suffering and as a community, we join together in a profound hope that a peaceful and permanent resolution is reached as soon as possible. We hold that the violence must stop, and the people of Gaza must be provided with urgent humanitarian aid and a chance to rebuild their lives and homes.

We add our voice to those of our colleagues and students who hope for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. In this, we are echoing our Students’ Union.

The University respects the right to peaceful protest and is fully committed to upholding freedom of speech. Our community is a space where colleagues and students can analyse and challenge difficult issues, while also accepting differences in views and opinion. 

On 1st May, student protesters established a pro-Palestine encampment on campus. Since that date we have engaged with the student protesters to understand and respond to their demands, and have provided ongoing practical and wellbeing support.
 
Our priority is always to ensure that our campus remains safe for everyone and protests should be within the law - we do not tolerate the use of threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour that causes, or is likely to cause, distress. 

Over the past weeks we have been listening to our community and we want to share, confirm and clarify our positions on some of the issues that have been highlighted by the student encampment. 

University Support 

We are aware of the impact current events are having on the mental health and wellbeing of many students and colleagues in our community and have guidance and support in place if they require it. We are committed to ensuring our University remains a safe and supportive place for all. 

Tackling Racism

We are absolutely committed to providing an inclusive community where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion are among our core values. There is no place for racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, anti-Palestinian discrimination, abuse, incitement or harassment of any kind. We encourage anyone in our community who is subject to, or who witnesses, any form of racism to report this using the appropriate channels and reports can be made anonymously. All reported incidents are taken seriously, and due process will be followed to ensure equity and fairness of response.

Working with the defence and security sector

Working with industry partners is critical in helping us to leverage our world-class research, to advance science and to support the region and nation’s development through high-value employment and skills. 

Research partnerships are thoroughly reviewed and tested against our due diligence process and in line with Government’s Trusted Research policy. All proposals for collaborations are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Ethical Investment

The University does not invest in companies making armaments, tobacco related companies, nor companies making revenue from the extraction and production of fossil fuels as we aim for our investments to align with our values as an institution.

For full transparency, we have shared more detailed information about our investment portfolio with colleagues and students and have responded to their questions.
 
Relevant information relating to ethical investment and our socially responsible investment policy can be found at Ethical Investment | Sustainable Campus | Newcastle University (ncl.ac.uk). 

Links with Israeli universities

The University's core commitment to academic freedom prevents us from cutting ties with a country and their universities. So long as activities are within the law and do not contravene clear Government guidance, the University cannot tell its academics whom to work with, nor whom not to work with.

Forging links with Palestine

It is important we look to the future and we are working with groups of colleagues, students and national bodies, to explore the most effective and sustainable options to help support and rebuild Palestinian Higher Education.

In 2021, Newcastle University was awarded University of Sanctuary status recognising its work as a welcoming place of safety. As part of this, we are establishing a new group with expertise in this area to consider how we can best support the rebuilding of institutions of higher education in Gaza in particular.

In the short-term, we have increased our annual support for the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA) which provides urgent help to academics in immediate danger, and have extended the Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Scholarships to include Palestinian students. More information on our Sanctuary work can be found here.

Engagement

Senior colleagues meet regularly with representatives from our Students’ Union, and engage with groups of colleagues and students and with national bodies about the issues raised by the encampment. Academic and professional services colleagues work hard on a daily basis to discuss how we can best support those impacted by the conflict. 

The University has engaged with Sabbatical Officers and relevant student societies and continues to offer support, including through our Student Health and Wellbeing team. We share regular communications with all colleagues and students.

We continue to provide members of the encampment access to toilets, hand washing facilities and drinking water as well as having provided power banks to the protesters for charging mobile phones and laptops. 

Impact on University life

What began as a peaceful student-led demonstration has become a focus for activism, attracting some individuals who are not connected with the University.

It has created significant disruption and is concerning as a number of students have had to have wellbeing appointments re-arranged or moved online and have limited access to critical services due to the protest escalation, including blocking the King’s Gate Building, where these services are located. 

Protesters have targeted a number of University buildings and there has been criminal damage to our campus which has spread beyond the encampment area.

While we respect the right to peaceful protest, the space currently occupied by the encampment is required for other activities and the encampment is taking place without authorisation or permission.

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Our thoughts remain with all those who are impacted by these devastating events and we continue to do everything we can to support the wellbeing of students and colleagues as a foremost priority.

We will continue to engage with our community, listen to concerns, and provide support for everyone affected by these events, and the shadow they have cast.