Oxford University threatens legal action over Gaza protests

Oxford University has announced that it will go to court to force pro-Palestinian protesters to leave its territory.

In an open letter to Oxford Action for Palestine (OA4P), the university called for a camp around the Radcliffe Camera to be cleared by July 7.

A camp in front of the Natural History Museum has already been cleared.

The protesters called on the university to sever its financial ties with Israel and revise its investment policy.

The letter said the university recognizes the importance of peaceful protests and the deep concern about the situation in Gaza and Israel.

“The University hereby gives notice that it intends to close the encampment surrounding the Radcliffe Camera. You are directed to dismantle the encampments and vacate the premises in accordance with the attached notice.

“If the camps are not dispersed by midnight on Sunday, July 7, the university will apply to the court for an eviction order.”

It further stated that up to this point, no disciplinary action would be taken against the students for their presence in the camps.

Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza to crush Hamas in response to the group’s cross-border attack on southern Israel on October 7. That attack killed about 1,200 people and took 252 others hostage.

According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, more than 37,765 people have been killed in Gaza since then.

OA4P called on the university to disclose and abandon any financial interests it may have in Israel and to rebuild educational institutions in the Gaza Strip affected by the current conflict.

The university had cordoned off the area in front of the Natural History Museum on Sunday morning “to prepare it for return to the public” and “to avoid further damage to the lawn”.

An OA4P representative accused the university of a “series of repressive measures”.

“During this enclosure, OA4P members were threatened with disciplinary action and had their access to toilet facilities restricted. Now the university is turning its attention to our liberated zone at Radcliffe Camera.”