University campus: 2 new pro-Palestinian camps in British Columbia | Middle East, the eternal conflict

Pro-Palestinian protesters set up two additional encampments on university campuses in British Columbia, at the University of Victoria (UVIC) and Vancouver Island University, in Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island.

In a post Instagramthe organizers of the movement Free Palestine BC demand that theUVIC renounces all investments related to companies with Israeli business interests.

The publication also says that the protesters want theUVIC stops associating with Israeli academic institutions that limit Palestinian rights.

In a brief press release, the University said that the demonstrators had set up a “small encampment” in the courtyard of the Victoria campus and that the establishment takes a calm, thoughtful approach to minimize disturbances from the camp.

As a precaution, campus security may monitor access to buildings near the protest and ask people for information before entering those buildings.

No barriers have been installed around the encampment where there are a large number of Palestinian flags and signs displaying support for Palestine.

Photos posted on social media show University of Victoria security guards observing the protesters.

An official at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo confirmed Wednesday that an encampment has also been set up on that campus. The University said in a statement that it monitor the situation [le] Nanaimo campus and [qu’elle est] in contact with the RCMP local.

Jewish groups demand more security

Protesters from the University of British Columbia (UBC) set up another encampment on Monday. They installed fences and other temporary barriers around a grass field and stored supplies for an extended stay on the Vancouver campus.

Jewish groups in the province have urged the administration ofUBC to ensure the safety of their community.

In a press release, the Jewish student association Hillel BC claims to have asked the University to take proactive measures to avoid any disruption to student life and the educational process.

The press release published on Instagram says the group advised members of its community not to enter into conflict with protesters in any way. Hillel BC did not respond to an interview request regarding the University of Victoria encampment.

The demonstrators of theUBC say they are prepared to camp until the University agrees to support the Palestinian cause in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Naisha Khan, a spokesperson for the encampment, said the encampmentUBC continues to work despite the increased police presence. Officials of theUBC said Wednesday they had no updates on the encampment.

Protest encampments at universities across North America have led to clashes at Columbia University in New York and the University of California, Los Angeles.

In Quebec, a judge rejected a request for an injunction from two students at Montreal’s McGill University to move the encampment away from buildings, saying there is only limited evidence of potential harm to the students if the camp remains in place. The University McGill remained neutral in this request for an injunction, but asked the police to help dismantle the encampment.

The protests at North American universities are a response to the Israeli offensive in Gaza, which came after Hamas launched a deadly attack on October 7. Militants killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took around 250 hostages, according to the Israeli government. Gaza’s health ministry says Israel has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians during its offensive, which was launched to eliminate Hamas.

With information from The Canadian Press