Here’s why yellow ribbons have appeared on the University of Leeds’ campus

Yellow ribbons have appeared on the University of Leeds’ campus, leading many students to wonder what they represent.

They have been tied in numerous places including by the Edward Boyle Library and on Woodhouse Moor.

The symbolic ribbons are part of a nationwide campaign to remind people of the plight of the remaining hostages from the Gaza conflict. They also appeared at universities in five other cities in England, and have been installed by a mix of Jewish and non-Jewish students

Emma, a Jewish student, told The Leeds Tab this emphasises how the concern is about a humanitarian crisis, rather than the more singular notion of a “Jewish issue”.

Since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into effect on 19th January 2025, a total of 18 Israeli hostages have been released, but the fates of 79 hostages remain unknown.

The yellow ribbons tied to railings at Leeds Uni’s campus

Emma said the yellow ribbon initiative is a powerful and peaceful way for students in Leeds to spread the message that each hostage, who has a “family, friends, dreams and aspirations just like ours, is still being held captive in Gaza”.

Emma continued: “Despite being thousands of miles away, we feel a strong affinity towards our sisters and brothers held hostage and feel it is our duty to maintain a dialogue about them until every single one is home.”

Max, the president of Leeds’ Jewish Society (JSoc), spoke on behalf of its members, saying they were “deeply moved” by the presence of the ribbons and “incredibly proud that students undertook non-offensive action to empower Jewish students on campus.”

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He added: “It was a stark reminder of the ongoing hostage crisis, where we must be ceaselessly reminded of the continuous horrors the hostages face each day in order to bring them home.”

Another student, Matthew, whose name has been changed, told The Leeds Tab: “As a Jewish student in Leeds, to come onto campus on Monday morning and see yellow ribbons everywhere was extremely moving and powerful.”

He cited the importance of remembering the horrors the hostages face, saying he prays every day for their safe return from captivity by Hamas.

Yellow ribbons tied around trees on Woodhouse Moor

Emma further explained that the yellow ribbon initiative had been thoughtfully planned to remain sensitive to differing viewpoints.

She said: “We aren’t marching around campus with an Israeli flag because that would be inflammatory and it isn’t what we’re trying to do. It’s an apolitical statement.”

She added that the students who participated in the initiative want to ensure they “maintain harmonious campus relations” but still “fight for what [they] believe in”.

Whilst the recent ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has ignited hopes for a more peaceful future, Emma said the plight of the hostages remain at the forefront of her concerns.

She cited the testimonies of released hostages, which have included accounts of starvation, being kept in cages, and sexual violence, as well as those who were murdered whilst in captivity.

Emma explained that beyond advocacy, the initiative provided comfort to Jewish students that they are still able to express themselves authentically on campus.

According to Jewish News, Sami Berkoff, the Union of Jewish Students’ president, said: “It is clear that Jewish students are not alone in fighting to keep the awareness and understanding of the plight of the hostages in Gaza present amongst the campus conversations about this war.

“We must keep campaigning and raising awareness until every hostage is returned home.

“This makes me proud, as the president of the Jewish student movement, that our students are stepping up and ensuring their voices are heard loudly and clearly!”

Arieh Miller, UJS chief executive, also noted: “We can and should all be proud of this generation of students for undertaking this kind of non-offensive, non-disruptive direct action in support of the campaign to bring home the hostages from Gaza.

“It has been 485 days since they have seen or spoken with their families, their friends, and their community. We cannot live in a world where their plight loses momentum until every one of them is home.”

He added: “It is unclear if other campuses will follow suit, here in the UK or globally, but it is abundantly clear that Jewish students will not be silent on the issue of the hostages.”