Press Release: Sussex Students for A Free Palestine.

Over 80 University of Sussex students have occupied a major lecture theatre in solidarity with Palestinians under siege.

Motivated by the escalating crisis in Gaza, University of Sussex students have issued a set of demands to the University Management calling for immediate action. The occupation is a response to the recent Israeli military assault on Gaza. We stand in solidarity with The School of Oriental and African Studies, The London School of Economics, King’s College London, Birmingham and Essex Universities. The occupied space will be used for education and dialogue until the following demands are met:

We demand:

1. That the University of Sussex issue a statement condemning the recent and continuing atrocities perpetrated by Israel in the Gaza strip. The University should officially denounce the attacks on civilians, the systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid and the targeting of academic institutions, hospitals, places of worship and international peace keeping facilities.

2. That the University of Sussex cease to invest directly or indirectly in companies complicit in human rights abuses in the Gaza strip and internationally. We would like to draw attention to the motion passed on this subject in the USSU AGM of this academic year.


3. That no Israeli goods or goods produced by companies that have directly funded the State of Israel be sold on campus. The University of Sussex should remove these goods from all private retail and dining facilities as the Union is endeavouring to accomplish.


4. That the University of Sussex provide complete financial scholarships for three students from Al-Quds Open University in Tubas with which the University of Sussex is twinned, and three students from Gaza University which has been bombed by the Israeli military.


5. That any surplus educational resources available to the University of Sussex are provided to Gaza University and that the shipping of these resources be fully paid for by the University of Sussex.


6. That there be no legal, financial or academic measures taken against anyone involved in, or supporting, the occupation. This extends to the Student Union. Students involved will be guaranteed free movement in and out of the occupied space.

This is a non-violent and inclusive protest. Decisions are made through a process of consensus-based decision making. All University of Sussex students are encouraged to participate in this process. During the occupation we will adhere to the same codes of personal conduct as is expected of us as members of the student community.

Any disruption to our peers’ education is expressly against our wishes and we will respect the rights of freedom of speech, freedom of expression and the right to disagree.