Strathclyde University asks Palestine society to delay 7 October Palestine protest

The University of Strathclyde has asked the institution’s Palestine Solidarity Society to postpone a protest scheduled for the second anniversary of the 7 October atrocities.

The  event, which is currently due to be held at Rottenrow Gardens, part of the university campus, this afternoon, calls on “Strathclyders” to “grab your flag and your keffiyah” for what is described as “the most important cause of our lives”.

A University spokesperson told Jewish News on Monday evening: “While the University of Strathclyde remains committed to upholding free speech, we have asked the organisers of tomorrow’s event to delay their demonstration. We believe that holding an event of this nature on this date is insensitive and we have asked that they delay to show their civic responsibility and common decency.”

A number of other pro-Palestine student events are due to go ahead on campuses nationwide today, the second anniversary of the mass-murder of 1,200 men, women and children by Hamas, when the terror organisation also took more than 250 hostages.

On Monday evening, Universities UK released a statement from its chief executive, Vivienne Stern MBE, confirming that the organisation had written to university leaders after the terror attack at Heaton Park Synagogue, “to remind them to maintain close contact with Jewish student groups, to publicise mechanisms for reporting antisemitic incidents, and to review security arrangements.

“We believe this is especially important with the potential for campus demonstrations timed to coincide with the 7th October massacre.”