Pro-Palestine protesters occupy Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre

Pro-Palestine protesters occupied Edinburgh University’s Gordon Aikman lecture theatre late on Monday night.

Banners and flags were hung at the windows of the lecture theatre as well as posters saying “Divest Now” and “Edinburgh University promotes warfare instead of healthcare”.

The protest, organised by the Edinburgh University Justice for Palestine Society (EUJPS), comes after more than a year of protest by EUJPS, including an occupation of Gordon Aikman in February.

A university spokesperson told The Tab: “The horror of the violence and loss of life in the Middle East has been felt deeply by many of our students and staff.

“While we respect the right to peaceful and lawful protest, this does not extend to the occupation of our buildings, or to the disruption of our students’ education, and we are clear that disciplinary action will be taken should our student code of conduct be breached.”.

Earlier this month, protesters organised a sit-in protest at the university’s main library, and have staged a number of other protests this semester which have disrupted two university ran careers fairs, as well as blocking the entrances to the university’s finance building.

In October, the university’s legal governing body, Court, delayed a decision on changing the university’s responsible investment policy following months of protest from pro-palestine groups over the university’s investments in companies alleged to have ties to the Israeli military and the ongoing war in Gaza.

Following months of protest, the university suspended all new purchases of stock in Alphabet Inc (the parent company of Google), and Amazon, this decision however fell short of divestment from these companies.

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Since October 7 2023, EUJPS have organised a number of protests including weekly demonstrations to protest the university’s investments. Last year, graduations were disrupted by protesters and a hunger strike was carried out by members taking part in an encampment in the Old College Quad.

A university spokesperson said: “Everyone in our community has the right to study, work and share their opinions or feelings without feeling intimidated, either in person or online. Our priority is to ensure everyone at the university feels safe. We will continue, for as long as is necessary, to support those who are impacted and who have connections to the conflict.

“The university has tried to engage in a dialogue with student protestors for some time. As the hostile and disruptive behaviour has not come to an end, the University will cease to engage with the group.

“This will not impact our planned approach to review the university’s Responsible Investment Policy.”.

EUJPS has been approached for comment