Leeds PSG holds protests on campus for Palestinian offer holders trapped in Gaza

Leeds Palestine Solidarity Group (PSG) held a protest on campus for Palestinian offer holders at the University of Leeds currently trapped in Gaza.

Several societies protested alongside the PSG, including the Islamic Society, Leeds University Amnesty International, and the Green Party Society.

The peaceful demonstration took place on Wednesday 1st October at 1pm, with protestors gathering around the Sign of Art Statue, better known as “The Wavy Bacon” on campus.

Observed by fellow students, security from the university, and several police officers, their protest demanded sanctuary for students who have been offered a place at the University of Leeds, but are unable to evacuate Gaza. There are believed to be over 90 students in this position.

During the protest for the offer holders, participants could be seen holding the Palestinian flag and waving signs which called for the prospective Leeds students’ freedom from Gaza.

The Leeds Tab spoke to Ivy, a protestor and Leeds student, who said: “There’s a list of universities that are silently supporting Israel, and it’s very important to be informed about the University of Leeds’ involvement, as students who fund the uni.”

Andrew, another student, added: “I believe the university is not using its many resources properly to help these students”.

He encouraged students’ involvement in the issue, saying he finds it important that campus culture reflects a sense of community, standing in solidarity with the offer holders.

Leeds Palestine Solidarity Group, via Instagram

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In a post uploaded to Instagram, Leeds PSG said over 4,200 emails were sent to the University Executive Group from students, staff, alumni and the wider community, demanding the university support the prospective students in Gaza. They further allege the university is failing to provide increased financial or institutional support to the offer holders.

Three postgraduate students are said to have been offered funded places, while one is on a partial scholarship.

All universities in Gaza have been destroyed. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the last remaining university in the region was destroyed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in 2024.

In the north of the country, where prospective students are currently living, a lack of essential resources like electricity and internet connection makes it extremely difficult to complete the visa applications required for evacuation.

Leeds PSG is currently lobbying for financial support from the University of Leeds for the offer holders, or the deferral of their attendance deadline from October 13th, so that they may be able to take up their studies.

The University of Leeds did not respond to a request for comment.