EXCLUSIVEOxford students are mocked for closing their pro-Palestine encampment as students break up for summer holidays
Oxford University students have been ridiculed after the city's pro-Palestine encampment ended in time for summer getaways to the south of France.
After 63 days of protest outside Oxford's Radcliffe Camera and other locations, Oxford Action for Palestine (OA4P) chose to end their camp, pending a legal order for their removal, 'in order to build the next phase of our movement'.
However, as the encampment came to an end following threats of legal action by the university earlier this week, X users were scathing in their assessments of the decision.
The group's encampments across various sites in the city began on May 6, when OA4P said 'we will continue to take action until our demands are met', including the university divesting from Israel and disclosing all finances.
University authorities had said they would apply for a court order if the camp was not closed before the end of July 7. The university added it would not pursue disciplinary action against students if they left before that time.
One comment read: '"Resistance by any means necessary!" (excluding school holidays)'
Oxford University students have been ridiculed after Oxford Action for Palestine's encampment ended in the weeks after the end of term
Pictured: A protest in the city in May which saw 16 arrested as protestors, including many students, occupied a first floor university office
OA4P spent 63 days camped outside University landmarks (Radcliffe Camera pictured) before Monday's decision
X users were scathing in their assessments of the decision as one said: '"Resistance by any means necessary!" (excluding school holidays)'
Oxford University's summer term ended on June 15, and students will not return for teaching until the start of October.
Though OA4P protests are not entirely made up of students, it describes itself as a 'student-led collective'.
Other acerbic responses to the move to cease the camps read: 'Just in time to head to Mummy and Daddies house in the South of France. What a stroke of luck that is...
'Lol you just went home to your daddy’s mansion for the summer didn't you?...
'We really care about this movement unfortunately we've booked a villa in Tuscany for the summer. Up the revolution!...
'Revolution postponed! Summer holidays in Tuscany or the Dordogne beckon...
'Well that tan in the south of France won’t happen by itself, will it. Trust fund rebels, eh?...
'Great news. Gaza liberated and just in time for holidays, too. Good job everyone...
'Did you achieve anything? No, didn’t think so...
'(we couldn’t get a refund on the gite in the Dordogne)...
'In other words, its time for our holibobs at the parents villa so see you all in September...
'You're hilarious, go on home ,go on holiday, do indulge yourselves now you've achieved..............nothing.'
Though OA4P say their movement is 'growing stronger by the day', many seemed to think that they had achieved 'nothing'
Pictures from a May 23 demonstration showed a heavy police presence in Wellington Square, with students and protesters seen trying to engage with officers
Pictured: Another Oxford pro-Palestine encampment, outside the Natural History Museum
OA4P have been contacted for comment.
In announcing the end of their encampment on Monday, they announced that though these protests were over, 'our movement has only just begun'.
The statement continued: 'In the past two months we have built a historic coalition for Palestine across Oxford, and our movement grows stronger by the day.
'Rather than addressing its complicity in Israel's genocide, the University has chosen to target those protesting genocide instead.
'In the interest of our members and of the movement for Palestine, we have decided to redirect our momentum towards other forms of action, organising, political education, and the continued growth of our coalition.
'With pride, we close this chapter in order to build the next phase of our movement.'
Following the end of the encampment, protestors moved to picket the university's administrative offices in Wellington Square - where a protest at the end of May saw 16 arrested.
Pictures from that demonstration showed a heavy police presence at the scene with students and protesters seen trying to engage with officers before occupying a first floor office.
Students said they would not move until they had spoken with the university's Vice Chancellor before eventually moving.
On June 20, the university announced a review of of its investment policy, prohibiting investments into companies manufacturing arms that are illegal under UK law.
An open letter to encampment students a week later said: 'This initiative was discussed with you at our meeting on June 21 and we note that you have welcomed this in your social media posts.'
When the university threatened protesting students with legal action, it expressed its concerns around unlawful activity taking place on campus, 'interference with academic activity', the impact on users of the buildings being camped round, damage caused to university land and failure to consult university officials before setting up the camps.
It continued: 'The University now gives notice that it intends to close the encampment around the Radcliffe Camera. You are instructed to disband the camps and vacate the land in accordance with the enclosed notice.
'If the camps are not disbanded by midnight, Sunday 7th July the University will apply to the court for a possession order. The University will not pursue disciplinary action against students in respect of their presence on the camps up to 7th July.'
A statement from the university since the camps ended on July 9 added: 'The University welcomes the disbanding of the camp outside the Radcliffe Camera. We are now assessing the state of the lawn and what further action is required to clear and restore the site.
'The University has consistently expressed grave concern about the horrific events unfolding in Gaza. As a community we hope for a peaceful end to the conflict, a permanent ceasefire, the urgent delivery of vital medical aid and food, and the safe return of all hostages.
'Senior leaders of the University have been meeting regularly with a range of student and staff groups. We are committed to meeting with members of our community to understand and respond to their concerns, and consider how we can best contribute to rebuilding higher education in Gaza.'
