Students end encampment at Trinity College following 'successful' negotiations
The college expects a prompt return to normal campus affairs for staff, students and the public
A protest encampment on the grounds of Trinity College Dublin, which included a blockade at the entrance to the Book of Kells Experience, has been ended by students.
Participants set up the encampment on the college's campus last Friday. The action was taken as part of demands from the Trinity student union that the college completely sever all ties with Israel, in both the academic and business spheres.
In response to the blockade of the highly popular tourist attraction, Trinity decided to fine the student union over €214,000 for financial losses, claiming that the protest was "unauthorised".
READ MORE: Watch: Protesters blast RTE for taking part in Eurovision and not boycotting over Israel
Following the disruptive social action, the college appeared to perform a climbdown by announcing in a statement on Monday that it is taking measures to divest from investment in commercial activities undertaken by companies within the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) who appear on the UN's Blacklist.
In the latest statement issued by a Trinity College spokesperson on Wednesday, the college announced the cessation of all protest activities on campus, including the removal of the Book of Kells blockade.
"The encampment and blockade on Trinity College Dublin’s campus will end today following successful talks between the university’s senior management and the protestors," the statement read.
"The agreement was reached at a meeting this afternoon [May 8 2024]. With the encampment and blockade of the Book of Kells removed, plans are being put in place to return to normal university business for staff, students, and members of the public."
Senior Dean Prof. Eoin O Sullivan, who led the talks on behalf of Trinity, said: "We are glad that this agreement has been reached and are committed to further constructive engagement on the issues raised. We thank the students for their engagement."
In addition to divesting from investments in businesses in the OPT, the college also wished to reaffirm its commitment to supporting the International Court of Justice’s position that "Israel must take all measures within its power to prevent and punish the direct and public incitement to commit genocide in relation to members of the Palestinian group in the Gaza Strip".
It is also to establish a Task Force of student representatives to analyse how it will "preserve academic freedom" while re-evaluating how it engages with states that are in contravention of human rights. The college 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.
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