LSE will also establish a working group to implement targeted divestment from Israel and will support Palestinian students in their struggle to acquire an education through scholarships and other means. Students hailed this as significant step in the international struggle against Apartheid Israel.

LSE has released a statement stating that it “understand[s] the concerns felt by many students about the events in Gaza” and that it has been “painful to observe the human suffering of the civilian population.” Israel murdered a total of 1434 Palestinians during the 22-day massacre in Gaza. Students from around the UK spearheaded unprecedented action in response to Israel’s onslaught. In total 30 universities conducted occupations and have won and are willing similar demands to that of LSE students.

Following pressure from the Palestine Solidarity Initiative (PSI) and the LSE Student’s Union Palestine Society, LSE has agreed to waive the £35 GBP application fee for students resident in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. It has also agreed to work with UCAS to ensure that fees are waived for undergraduate applicants resident in the same areas. Postgraduate applicants who wish to have their fees waived should fill in the form before they submit their application:  http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/graduateAdmissions/howDoI/adminfeewaive.htm

The aim of PSI is to demonstrate solidarity with Palestinian students, and empower those who are systematically denied the opportunities to study at institutions where they would be able to fulfil their academic potential. The Initiative aims to encourage all students, alumni, staff and academics connected with LSE to support Palestinians - politically, educationally and financially by encouraging and assisting their application to the vast array of degree programs that LSE has to offer. Supporters and prospective students should register at www.palestinesolidarity.org .

"We are exploring the possibility of creating our own scholarships to support Palestinian applicants,", said PSI activist Ziyaad Lunat, an Honorary Student of the LSE Students' Union and former Governor of the LSE, "the current offering is not sufficient to meet the demand for world-class education that exists in Palestine."

"We want to constantly expand our activities along our guiding principles of solidarity and equality with the Palestinian people," said James Caspell, also an PSI activist and an Honorary Student of the LSE Students' Union and former Governor of the LSE, “we hope to contribute in this way to the drive towards an egalitarian solution in the Middle East."

Ends

Notes for Editors:

1 - The London School of Economics Students' Union is officially twinned with Al-Najah University and has voted to divest funds from those companies profiting from the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands. The motion also called on LSE to respect human rights and follow suit in embracing a divestment agenda.

2 - The Palestine Solidarity Initiative was founded by James Caspell and Ziyaad Lunat, two LSE alumni and activists who have long campaigned for the liberation of Palestine.

3. For the latest news on the LSE Occupation visit:  http://lseoccupation.blogspot.com

4 - Correspondence with LSE:  http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/meetthedirector/pdf/occupation-correspondence.pdf

Contact:

James Caspell

 James.caspell@gmail.com

Ziyaad Lunat

 z.lunat@gmail.com

 http://www.palestinesolidarity.org