Student protestor ‘attacked’ with box cutter during pro-Palestine demonstration

A student protestor has been”attacked” at a pro-Palestine protest in what has been called an alleged “hate crime”.

The student was left with a facial wound from a box cutter after attending a protest outside the University of Edinburgh’s Main Library on Friday.

EUJPS has since released a statement claiming that university security “failed to protect” students protesting on campus.

In a statement, a University of Edinburgh spokesperson confirmed they were aware of the incident and confirmed: ““Safety on our campus is our utmost priority, and we have experienced teams in place to ensure the welfare of our community.”

EUJPS later detailed the events, claiming that the man allegedly called the student a “Jew” before slashing their cheek with the box cutter. The society claim that this incident should be recorded as a “hate crime” due to the hostility aimed towards the protesters perceived identity as a Jew.

In its statement, EUJPS alleged: “A man who was clearly intoxicated and agitational appeared at the rally. He was filming and pointing at members of the protest stating, ‘they’re clearly against me’, and mocking the chants.

via Instagram @eu_jps

“He additionally chanted, ‘Fuck Palestine’ and repeatedly shouted that the speakers were terrorists. As he entered the middle of the protest, several students and wider community members attempted to de-escalate the situation and remove him from the rally in the interest of public safety.”

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EUJPS explained that the rally was made up of Jewish and POC students, as well as an older woman. The man was moved to the side, however he was said to have continued “aggressive” behaviour: “Although they were able to bring him to the side of the protest, his aggressive behaviour continued, calling visibly POC students around him ‘terrorists’ while also performing multiple sieg heils. He threatened to ‘slash’ POC students who were trying to direct him away from the crowd.”

The group allege that the attacker had “posed an obvious threat prior to the attack”, and that university security personnel stationed nearby the protest “was informed of the risk on multiple occasions”.

It have accused university staff of failing to protect “their own students in front of the main library, in broad daylight”.

Also in its press statement seen by The Tab, EUJPS claimed that the University of Edinburgh “does not care for the safety of Palestinian students and their allies” and added how “security knowingly chose not to de-escalate nor intervene despite students’ pleas.”

The group claimed that security members allegedly dismissed claims by eye-witnesses who allege they “saw that the attacker possessed a weapon”. It also claimed that security did not act” after being approached by a student who “explcitly stated” that someone had been “attacked.”

Under UK law Any crime can be “prosecuted as a hate crime if the offender has either: Demonstrated hostility based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity or been motivated by hostility based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity.”

A University of Edinburgh spokesperson said: “We are aware of the incident, which is now a matter for the Police. We are working with them to assist with their enquiries and will provide support to anyone in our community affected.

“Safety on our campus is our utmost priority, and we have experienced teams in place to ensure the welfare of our community. We also have close and regular contact with Police Scotland and a wide range of other groups to implement measures that safeguard our community’s wellbeing.

“Members of our security team are always on duty across campus and attend events including protests as a matter of routine. Team members were present at Friday’s protest and provided immediate support to those affected during and after the incident.”

Police Scotland has been approached for comment.

EUJPS’ full statement can be found on Instagram.

Featured image via EUJPS