Trinity College Cambridge Faces Pro-Palestine Protests for Misleading Arms Deal with Israel, Shares No Plans to Divest
Students accused Trinity of withholding transparency about its arms investments.
By
One of the richest colleges in the UK, Cambridge's Trinity College, is under fire for misleading students about its arms deal with Israel.
The college institution was found lying regarding its investments in arms firms complicit in killing Palestinians.
Last May, the Trinity College Students' Union (TCSU) said senior college members had agreed to divest from arms companies "by the summer." However, in November, student representatives were told by college master Sally Davies that Trinity has not divested and has no plan to do so, leaving students feeling misled, per Middle East Eye.
Students were frustrated by the college's lack of transparency. Many believed for months that Trinity was divesting, only to find out the opposite. MEE revealed earlier this year that the college had significant investments in Elbit Systems, Israel's largest arms manufacturer, and other companies tied to Israel's military actions in Gaza.
Read more: University of Michigan's Student President Impeached Over Pro-Palestinian Advocacy Tactics
Students Protest at Trinity College, Cambridge
Students protested and demanded clarification but the college refused to neither confirm nor deny its actions. Letters from student unions have since called for immediate divestment and the creation of an ethical investment oversight committee, according to Algemeiner.
The leadership of the college never clearly responded despite numerous questions. The college administration continued to keep quiet for an extended period, and it made the students feel "deeply shameful" regarding the institution's lack of transparency. One student contested that they deserve to know how their money is being used, especially when it involves companies complicit in war crimes.
It reignites pro-Palestine student protests at Cambridge University and has set up encampments at key locations, demanding Trinity College and the wider administration of the university to break ties with arms companies. Protest leaders accuse the varsity of violating its previous agreements to review investments made and cut off its dealings with students when making critical decisions.
