OA4P Responds to the University’s Attempt to Shut Down the Gaza Solidarity Encampment

23 June 2024

In the early hours of Sunday morning, the Oxford University Administration erected metal fencing around the entirety of the OA4P Gaza solidarity encampment in front of the Pitt Rivers Museum and announced the intention to clear the space, citing concerns for "health and safety". The action was taken with no prior communication to OA4P despite OA4P repeatedly expressing a commitment to the University to continue using the space.

The Administration has also chosen to shut down the encampment ahead of our scheduled Community Gardening Day event, in which OA4P was to further develop the raised-bed garden we have established on the site. The plans for the garden were made with a detailed understanding of the sensitive areas of the land with a commitment to the health and safety of the area.

OA4P is deeply troubled by this blatant attempt to intimidate and shutdown peaceful protest, which defies the University's recently stated commitment to good-faith dialogue. OA4P continues to meet with the Administration as part of a regular, ongoing dialogue to discuss disclosure, investments, finance and the rebuilding of Palestinian higher education a commitment the Administration has publicly made. We believe good faith dialogue necessitates respect for these sites of peaceful protest, which have garnered overwhelming support from the University and city communities.

OA4P remains committed to the development of the Palestine solidarity space on the Pitt Rivers Museum site, which is dear to thousands in the University community as the site of our first encampment. As the University moved to close the area, a handful of students entered the site. Since, supporters have joined to participate in the pre-scheduled Memorial Gardening event. The students call on all members of the University community to come to the Pitt Rivers Museum camp and demand the reversal of this draconian shutdown of peaceful protest.