Trinity College have agreed to divest from companies operating in Occupied Palestinian Territory in a major win for student protestors.
The College has announced that it has begun a divestment process in companies operating within OPT who appear on the UN 'Blacklist', a move which aligns with the Irish Government's official position. Students blockaded the entrance to the Book of Kells over the weekend while setting up tents nearby.
They have been demanding that the college sever all ties with Israel. In response to the blockade of the popular tourist attraction, Trinity decided to fine its student union over €214,000 for financial losses in response, claiming that the protest was "unauthorised".
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Irish MEP Clare Daly made an appearance at the protest on Sunday. In a speech she said that their actions, which are aimed at breaking Trinity’s investment and academic ties with Israel, will "change history".
The college announced they will also to establish a Task Force to reconsider academic relations with the Middle East country. Claiming that it respects the "strong stance" taken by students during the encampment, the statement sought to clarify the college's own position going forward.
"We abhor and condemn all violence and war, including the atrocities of October 7th and the continuing ferocious and disproportionate onslaught in Gaza," the statement read. "The humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the dehumanisation of its people is obscene.
"Trinity has initiated a process to divest from investments in companies that have activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and appear on the UN Blacklist in this regard. This process is expected to be completed by June.
The college highlighted that its position is in line with that taken by Government with respect to divestment in businesses in the OPT. In April, the National Treasury Management Agency confirmed to government that it had taken a similar approach regarding the Irish Strategic Investment Fund.”
Trinity has vowed to continue to co-operate with a youth-led Palestinian non-profit project in the Gaza Strip which is working to facilitate access to Trinity for students from Gaza seeking to continue their education. To date, the college has already reserved eight places for Palestinian scholars, with more to follow.
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