In an update to its response to recent events in Israel, Gaza, and the Middle East, Oxford University has expressed its hopes for a further ceasefire. A 18 December social media post from Oxford’s Palestine Society (PalSoc) and Rhodes Scholars for Palestine criticised the update, calling it “timid,” “insufficient,” and “highly problematic” despite being “a step in the right direction.”
Previously, Oxford’s statements and updates did not call for a ceasefire. Rhodes Scholars for Palestine and PalSoc representatives communicated and met with the Vice-Chancellor’s office multiple times in Michaelmas — including on 12 December — and brought forth the “Act Against Genocide” petition that drew support of over 2,000 signatories.
The societies’ joint Instagram post updated its “Act Against Genocide” petition with reasons for its critique of the University’s statement: “By referring to Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza as ‘military action,’ the University grossly misrepresents Israel’s war crimes and crimes against humanity as somehow legitimate.
“By explicitly mentioning the Hamas attacks and hostage-taking while disregarding the decades-long reality of Israel’s settler-colonialism, illegal occupation, illegal siege on Gaza, and illegal detainment of thousands of Palestinians including children, the University adopts a partial, ahistorical narrative that reinforces dehumanisation of Palestinians. This stance reveals racist double standards especially when compared to the University’s unapologetic response to the invasion of Ukraine.”
The post further calls Oxford’s actions “inadequate,” alleging the University’s response has added to the “alienation and demoralisation” of affected students while offering them “no tangible, material support.” The societies also stated that the University has not taken sufficient action to protect academic freedom and free speech: “Colleges and departments have repeatedly denied requests to book spaces for Palestine-related events, even activities such as bake sales or grieving circles.”
In addition to expressing hopes for a ceasefire, the University statement condemns instances of harassment directed toward Jews and Muslims in Oxford: “It has become regrettably clear that some of our students and staff have experienced or witnessed anti-Semitic and Islamophobic behaviour within Oxford. As a University, we will not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment.”
The statement further lays out welfare provisions offered by the colleges and University and lists direct channels for students to report harassment
According to the student societies, the University administration has pledged to meet again at the start of next term to discuss several proposals: further updating its messaging, creating a reporting mechanism for collegiate or departmental censorship, establishing a scholarship for Palestinians students and support for academics-at-risk, and exploring the University’s financial ties to arms manufacturers.
