An Oxford University spokesperson has said protesters have crossed a line after "occupying" part of a campus building and forcing examinations to be cancelled yesterday.
Around six autonomous pro-Palestine protesters entered an examination around 9.15am on June 13, in the East Writing School building of Exam Schools off the High Street as police were called to the city centre commotion.
A person on site, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Oxford Mail the protesters "hung the flag and chanted out the window", but were then brought "under control".
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A university examination was cancelled as a result of the action and Thames Valley Police responded to the scene.
The Oxford Action for Palestine group who has staged encampments since May 6 said the protest was not aligned with their group.
Thames Valley Police has confirmed there were no arrests after some reports had suggested there had been.
A spokesperson from Oxford University said this action "goes beyond the bounds of acceptable protest".
The spokesperson said: “The university is disappointed with this occupation of the exam schools and the absolutely unacceptable disruption caused to our students.
"We are putting into place contingency plans to ensure all students will have the opportunity to sit their examinations with as little disruption as possible.
"It is unclear who the occupying group are representing as they claim to be acting without the knowledge of the OA4P encampments.
"While the university supports the right to peaceful protest within the law and our rules, this action plainly goes beyond the bounds of acceptable protest.”
At the time of the release on Thursday afternoon, the group said the protest action was ongoing and being carried out by a "group autonomous protesters acting without OA4P's knowledge".
The spokesperson said: "An autonomous group of protesters occupied one wing of the Examination Schools, renaming the East School to Dahshan School after the Palestinian scholar and martyr Saeed Dahshan.
"The protesters have made it clear that their action was unaffiliated with OA4P and was undertaken without OA4P's knowledge.
"The support for Palestine on this campus extends far beyond OA4P.
"The urgency expressed by this action is a reflection of the mounting frustration that has been felt by countless in the university community, who for months have urged Oxford's administration to act against Israel's ongoing and catastrophic genocide in Gaza."
Their continued protests saw 17 individuals arrested after a sit-in at the university's Wellington Square administration buildings on May 23.
Those individuals, including 12 Oxford University students, have been released on police bail.
An OA4P spokesperson said: "As a student-led movement, OA4P supports the right of all students to pursue their education.
"Our particular solidarity is, as always, with those facing scholasticide in Gaza."
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