Student protesters from Oxford University claim disruptions in support of Palestine were forcefully supressed by security at matriculation events over the weekend.

Oxford Action for Palestine (OA4P) protested at two of the enrolment ceremonies for new students by interrupting speeches, blocking entry to buildings, and handing out banners and flags at the Sheldonian Theatre on Saturday (October 19).

The group has claimed university security attempted to supress the disruption by dragging protesters out of ceremonies, “intimidating” them by taking photos of their faces, and caused them to be stepped on and kicked by those entering the building.

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Abel, a first-year student who disrupted his own matriculation ceremony in solidarity with the cause and did not disclose his surname, said: “I had to say something, because why would I be silent in front of someone who is meant to lead our university but is actually friends with terrorists.

“The entire central management of this university does not care about my Palestinian and Lebanese friends and alumni, or their family in the Levant. If they did, they would end the university's complicity in the murder of their people.”

During the morning event, two students were forcibly removed from the theatre for interrupting speeches.

In the afternoon, protesters wore “blood-soaked” t-shirts and took part in a “die-in” outside the building entrance.

(Image: Oxford Action for Palestine) A spokesperson for the university said: “Oxford is committed to ensuring that we are an inclusive and welcoming place for all of our community.

“The University supports peaceful protest, in line with our commitment to freedom of speech, and provides clear guidance on demonstrations and protests.

“Actions which disrupt University events are not acceptable and students in breach of University rules may face disciplinary action, fines or suspension”.

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OA4P is a student-led collective calling on the university to divest from and boycott Israel and Israeli companies and to “end its complicity in scholasticide”, or the destruction of education systems in Palestine.

Students disrupting the ceremonies focused their attention on Irene Tracey, vice chancellor of the university, who attended to make an inaugural speech.

The group claims this is their first action of the current academic year, but they were active on campus last year with sit-ins and encampments, and similar groups in the city have staged protests this month.

(Image: Oxford Action for Palestine) A university spokesperson said the matriculation events were able to continue as planned.

The spokesperson added: “We are pleased to report that all ceremonies were completed and there was much joy.

“We would like to congratulate all those students who matriculated, and we extent to them a very warm welcome to Oxford."

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