Pro-Palestine protestors hold vigil at Edinburgh University graduation

Edinburgh University medical graduation ceremonies were disrupted by a pro-Palestine protest on Saturday afternoon.

On Friday, students graduating from the from the School of Literature, Languages and Culture (LLC) also staged a walk out protest in support of Palestine, mirroring similar walk out protests seen at last year’s graduation ceremonies.

Saturday’s protest, led by Health Workers 4 Palestine saw speakers condemning Edinburgh University’s alleged ties to defence and military companies, with one saying that “you cannot be a passive part of a war machine.”

Some graduation attendees were seen holding flags and banners in support of the protest

As the graduation ceremony ended, some attendees were seen joining the crowd of the protest, some with banners, flags and other pro-Palestine items.

One student in her graduation robe held up a banner reading: “No med schools left in Gaza. Divest Now”.

Speakers wished to celebrate the “graduation of some of the medical graduates in Gaza against all odds”, saying in a statement on Facebook that they “continue to advocate for the Palestinian healthcare workers who are targeted and killed on the line of duty.

The statement called for a ceasefire in Gaza and hashtags used called for greater protections for doctors and hospitals.

One speaker thanked the Edinburgh University Justice for Palestine Society for its protest action throughout the last year, which has included sit-in protests at the Main Library and the Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre, blockades and picket lines outside of the university’s finance building and Old College, graduation walk-outs and an encampment in the Old College Quad, which was combined with a hunger strike.

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Earlier this year an EUJPS protest in front of the Main Library saw a protester struck with a blade, prompting concerns over the university’s campus security protocols. Both security and police officers were present at the protest on Saturday.

The graduation ceremony also saw twenty graduates who have qualified by completing a part-time medical degree – the first of its kind in the UK. They have completed a five year programme called HCP-Med. It is exclusively offered to existing healthcare professionals, clinical scientists and veterinary surgeons living and working in Scotland.

A University of Edinburgh Spokesperson said: “As a result of an institution-wide consultation inviting input from students and staff, the University has established a Responsible Investment Advisory Group.

“This permanent group, which will include independent and external experts, will inform the University’s approach to responsible investment, carefully considering the diverse perspectives and concerns of our community.

“We unequivocally condemn the violence and suffering resulting from events in Israel and Gaza in recent years. While our commitment as a global institution to act in accordance with our values is unwavering, it is essential that any actions taken are measured, responsible and fully consultive.”

The University said that more information can be found on their website for guidance on the responsible investment policy and the university’s response to the Israel-Palestine war.