Edinburgh Uni says Jewish students could be investigated for liking pro-Palestine posts

Kehillah, an anti-Zionist Jewish group at the University of Edinburgh, has accused senior university officials of suppressing their right to free expression following a letter they considered “intimidatory”.

The letter, signed by Vice Principal Colm Harmon and Deputy Secretary Lucy Evans, cautioned the group on their social media presence, specifically regarding resharing posts from the Edinburgh University Justice for Palestine Society (EUJPS).

The university labelled the posts “offensive” and “threatening,” accusing the group of violating the university’s student code of conduct and mentioning the possibility of investigation followed by disciplinary action should the group fail to comply with their demands.

The posts allegedly contained language the university described as having an “increasingly threatening tone”.

‘Silenced for supporting Palestine’

Kehillah is an anti-Zionist Jewish student group at the University of Edinburgh, advocating for Palestinian solidarity while providing a space for Jewish students to engage in activism.

The group issued a statement in response to the university’s allegations on Instagram, claiming the institution is targeting Jewish students who speak out against the institution’s complicity in colonial violence.

In their statement, Kehillah said: “Are you insinuating that you will silence and remove Jewish voices from institutional representation if they do not say the things you want them to say, do what you want them to do, or turn their critical gaze away from you?”

🚨BREAKING: Students occupy the Engineering building at the University of Edinburgh and disrupt the Engineering Careers Fair. pic.twitter.com/3N7sKYTjGG

— Edinburgh Justice for Palestine (@eu_jps) October 30, 2024

The group went on to criticise the university for its alleged double standards, claiming that other university societies have shared similar posts without consequence.

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“The University of Edinburgh only enforces its policies when it suits its agenda. It silences dissenting voices like ours while continuing to profit from financial ties to arms companies fuelling violence in Palestine and Lebanon. This is not about maintaining a safe environment – it’s about protecting their colonial, Zionist status quo.”

The University of Edinburgh, however, maintained its unwavering commitment to those affected by conflict, telling The Edinburgh Tab: “The University has been doing everything it can to directly support those impacted by the violence in the Middle East. As the first institution in Scotland to be recognised as a University of Sanctuary and a founding member of Cara (Council for At Risk Academics), we take an active role in supporting those seeking sanctuary across the world.”

107 years since Edinburgh Uni’s very own Chancellor Arthur Balfour issued his declaration. Today, this university continues to uphold his shameful legacy.

We will not stop until divestment is achieved. Free Palestine. 🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/M9jaaCys84

— Edinburgh Justice for Palestine (@eu_jps) November 3, 2024

“Through scholarships, collaborative projects and community initiatives, we seek to provide opportunities to people whose life chances have been impaired by events beyond their control, offering them safety and sanctuary in troubled times.”

‘The university is threatening to shut us out of the conversation’

Edinburgh University’s letter to Kehillah warned that “actions that breach the Code of Student Conduct may result in appropriate investigations and consequences.”

Saying: “Continued engagement with any group is contingent on adherence to respectful and constructive dialogue that aligns with our community standards.”

The university expressed frustration over what they describe to be “significant and escalated disruption” caused by ongoing protests despite attempts at engagement with protestors.

“Over the course of the last year, we have attempted to engage with those who choose to protest and we continue to respond to our wider community’s concerns,” the letter said.

Continuing: “Many of these concerns relate to university operations and learning and teaching activities, and we have a duty to review these with time and careful consideration to ensure that what we are doing is best for the whole of our community. We have responded transparently to explain the university’s approach on this and we are disappointed that this has continued to be met with significant and escalated disruption.”

In their response, the group announced their decision to cut ties with the Edinburgh University Students’ Association (EUSA), attesting to their commitment to continued activism in pushing for financial divestment and boycotting the institution.

A spokesperson for the University of Edinburgh told The Edinburgh Tab in full: “The horror of the violence and loss of life in the Middle East has been felt deeply by many of our students and staff, and we continue to support all those who are impacted and who have connections to the conflict.

“We are clear in our commitment to upholding freedom of expression as a vital component of an open and democratic society and respect the right to peaceful and lawful protest. As an educational institution, we also have an obligation to limit the impacts of any disruption to the workings of the university, and in particular, learning and teaching activities.”

“Given the size and diversity of our community, it is inevitable that there will be differing views. Everyone in our community has the right to study, work and share their opinions without feeling intimidated or indeed causing distress or disruption to others. We want to make sure that we are open to all voices and that everyone treats each other with dignity and respect, including recognising where comments, behaviour or sharing of materials may be upsetting to others.

“Over the course of the last year, we have attempted to engage with those who choose to protest, and we continue to respond to our wider community’s concerns. Many of these concerns relate to University operations and learning and teaching activities, and we have a duty to review these with time and careful consideration to ensure that what we are doing is best for the whole of our community. We have responded transparently to explain the university’s approach on this and we are disappointed that this has continued to been met with significant and escalated disruption.

“The University has been doing everything it can to directly support those impacted by the violence in the Middle East. As the first institution in Scotland to be recognised as a University of Sanctuary and a founding member of Cara (Council for At Risk Academics), we take an active role in supporting those seeking sanctuary across the world.  

“Through scholarships, collaborative projects and community initiatives, we seek to provide opportunities to people whose life chances have been impaired by events beyond their control, offering them safety and sanctuary in troubled times.      

“Earlier this year, Education Beyond Borders was established to provide further support for displaced students and academics. We welcomed our first cohort of students from more than 20 countries, including Palestine, within the new Displaced Scholarship programme in September.

“We have also been offering support to our own community, and have held multi-faith vigils and events to give people a place to come together and share their views.”