University of Birmingham students gathered on the Green Heart on Friday 13th October to protest the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza. 

Waving ‘Free Palestine’ flags and chanting pro-Palestinian slogans, the group congregated on campus to discuss what they described as an ‘unprecedented new episode in what has been a 75-year-long conflict’.

‘One of the most technologically advanced, armed-to-the-teeth military powers is oppressing a minority within its own borders, encroaching on their land, forcing people out of their homes,’ said Deep Sohelia, a student protesting the conflict on Friday. ‘We have a role to play in ending this brutality.’ 

One of the most technologically advanced, armed-to-the-teeth military powers is oppressing a minority within its own borders…

Sohelia is a member of UoB Communists, who organised Friday’s protest. A statement from their Instagram declares their aim to ‘demand a free Palestine’. 

‘At the end of the day, no war is peaceful and just and decent, and the fact that we have got into a situation where war is the only option says something about the forces that are at play.’

The Israeli assault on Gaza comes following a terrorist attack on 7th October against Israeli civilians, carried out by Palestinian militant group, Hamas. Under attack from air, sea, and on the ground, the surprise attack killed at least 1,300 Israelis, with 150 others predicted to have been taken hostage by Hamas. 

Following the attack, Israel launched a counteroffensive. Over 2,300 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, following Israel’s retaliatory air strikes beginning October 9th. On Thursday, it was announced by Israel that civilians of the Gaza Strip had twenty-four hours to relocate to the south of the territory. This deadline has since passed, and an Israeli ground offensive is believed to be immanent.

At the end of the day, no war is peaceful and just and decent…

The student gathering on Friday was not the only pro-Palestinian protest in recent days. On Saturday 14th October, hundreds of people gathered in the streets of Birmingham city centre to raise awareness of the situation unfolding in Palestine. BirminghamLive, who had a reporter on the scene, described the atmosphere as ‘passionate but safe’. Similar protests have been seen in cities across the country, including London, Manchester and Coventry. 

The history of conflict between Palestine and Israel is long and complex, but is crucial to understanding the nature of the ongoing conflict. It is predicted the Israeli ground offence will be launched in the coming days, despite the UN calling for an humanitarian ceasefire.

There are fears that the recent outbreak of violence unfolding across the Middle East could contribute to a spike in antisemitic behaviour. Scotland Yard reported a ‘massive increase’ in antisemitic incidents in London since the outbreak of violence in Israel. Whilst Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, stated that waving a Palestinian flag might become a criminal offence, at the time of writing, no such change has been implemented.  

West Midlands police have committed their ‘extended support’ to those impacted by the conflict and have deployed additional officers to reassure the public. 

‘We are aware that the ongoing conflict may lead to further protests over the coming days,’ said Assistant Chief Constable Claire Bell, as reported in BirminghamWorld. ‘We will ensure that an appropriate policing plan is in place in order to balance the right to protest against any disruption to communities’.

Anyone affected by hate crime can report it by calling 101, or 999 in the case of an emergency. Crime can also be anonymously reported by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

 

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