Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has urged for the protection of Jewish students at Oxford and Cambridge universities amid the establishment of ‘liberated zones’ by pro-Palestinian protesters on both campuses in response to the conflict in Gaza.
The encampments were set up outside King’s College in Cambridge and the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford.
Writing in The Telegraph, Ms. Keegan expressed concern over the rise in antisemitic incidents since recent attacks and emphasized the need to prevent harassment of Jewish students on campus.
She emphasized the importance of protecting freedom of speech while condemning any form of abuse or intimidation, especially during a critical time when students are facing exams.
The protesters at Oxbridge are advocating for the universities to sever financial ties with Israel following the conflict in Gaza, where thousands of lives have been lost on both sides.
Despite the call for divestment, university authorities have highlighted the importance of academic freedom and peaceful expression of views, urging all parties to engage with respect and empathy.
As tensions continue to rise globally, it is crucial to address the complexities of the situation while upholding the values of freedom of speech and peaceful protest on university campuses.
PA Media contributed to this report.