Islamic University of Gaza was targeted by Israel during its 22-day war against the people of Gaza. The university is appealing for funds to aid reconstruction. KUALA LUMPUR, June 5 (Bernama) -- The board of trustees of the Islamic University of Gaza where two buildings were destroyed in an aerial attack by the Zionist regime last December has appealed for aid from Malaysians for reconstruction. Board director Dr Jamal Naji El-Khoudary said US$15 billion [should this be million? - GS] was needed to rebuild the two buildings. He spoke to reporters after a news conference, held in conjunction with the commemoration of the "An-Naksah" (1967 War), organised by the Palestine Centre of Excellence (PACE) at the headquarters of the Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM), here. more Students at 28 universities in the UK held sit-ins in solidarity with Gaza and in most cases secured funding for scholarships in addition to a commitment from their instiutions' authorities to send surplus educat...

pic from Manchester University occupation Palestine Solidarity Campaign Student Day School 2 May - report back Students from across Britain met on Saturday 2 May to discuss solidarity with Palestine in the aftermath of Israel 's military onslaught and continuing blockade against Gaza . The day school, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, brought together representatives of the recent student occupations in support of Palestine, with Muslim representatives including Federation of Student Islamic Societies and the British Muslim Initiative; Ken Livingstone; Jeremy Corbyn MP; the Viva Palestina convoy to Gaza led by George Galloway and Jews for Justice for Palestinians. The meeting highlighted the contrast between the refusal of the National Union of Students National Executive to support any of the mass demonstrations against Israel 's attack on Gaza and the revulsion of the great majority of students at the slaughter of more than 1400 Palestinians, most of them civili...

DEMANDS OF PROTESTERS who took part in the month-long occupation of University buildings in protest against Israel’s military actions in Gaza last term are being met by the University of Manchester. Arrangements have been made by the University for surplus academic aid to be sent to Gaza. Negotiations are in progress with the University to secure scholarships in Manchester for students from Gaza and to boycott the sale of produce from the occupied territories. “The University has met with the student Executive and with representatives of the protesters and discussed a number of initiatives related to the policy on Gaza passed at the Union meeting,” a University spokesperson said. “We are making progress on a number of issues and the discussions with the Executive are ongoing.” The Manchester occupation was one of 34 protests taking place at universities around the UK. Other occupations have also had success in securing deals to benefit Gazan students. From Student Direct ManuUni Occupa...

Occupiers left the two occupied buildings on Wednesday. The university Pro Vice Chancellor met with student union societies to consider students' concerns, the first time the university has considered the question of policy on Palestine, despite requests in the past before the occupation. The direct action has put Gaza on the agenda at Sheffield University but now the ball is in management's court. If its 'consideration' of the demands raised by the occupiers are dismissed out of hand then more, and larger scale, action will be needed. The student union already has pro-Palestinian policy and the galvanising effect of the occupation means means the solidarity movement is now in a far better position to take up calls for action at general meetings of the SU.

Last night the police were called to the occupation but left again soon after when they found that no crime was being, or had been, committed. Seems like the uni management is in no mood to negotiate and didn't take kindly to the occupation of their pride and joy - the Jessops West Exhibition Centre, which the occupiers have been quick to point out has no teaching rooms or wider academic function. Students at Sheffield University are rallying for Gaza this afternoon at 3pm. Negotitations with the university are still stalled and the student union leadership seems to be sitting on the fence. The rally starts at the Union concourse at 3pm and students and suppoerters will march to the occupied Jessops Centre to hear speakers.

Sheffield students have responded to the management's refusal to negotiate by stepping up their action and occupying the prestigious Jessop building. So it's over to Vice Chancellor Keith Burnett for the next move. The Sheffield students are building for a rally on campus this Wednesday. From Sheffield Uni occupation blog Sheffield University Occupiers: Occupation Spreads to Jessop West! The Occupiers in the University of Sheffield have occupied a new space within the University, namely the exhibition centre in Jessop West, a brand new, flagship building for the university. As the time of press, the original occupation in the Hicks building continues throughout the night. Our reasons for expanding the occupation are as follows: - Threats from the University management to evict students and workers from the original space. - A complete lockdown was instigated, denying free movement for Occupiers and supporters. - To increase pressure on University management after they went back...

The lockdown initiated at the beginning of the weekend by management against the occupiers at Sheffield University has not been lifted. The students are now being denied freedom of access and the management is refusing to negotiate with the Gaza protesters directly. It is not clear what status the occupiers have at pending negotiations between the university and the students union. The occupiers were told last week that they would be able to send a delegation to any meeting. To spread the word on campus on Wednesday a rally is planned for 3pm, followed by speakers from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Jews for Justice, and others. More details at the Sheffield Uni occupation blog Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=60028246641

The students ocuppying for Gaza at Sheffield University have been locked down by the weekend. It is thought this act by management may just be for the weekend, but access to the occupation has been blocked. Food parcels are being allowed at the door. Earlier in the week management agreed to open negotiations but a date for a meeting has still not been set. The occupiers have elected a delegation to meet the University management.

Sheffield University management is opening negotiations with the student union and the occupiers. The occupation is sending a delegation to the talks between SU sabbatical officers and the university. The Vice Chancellor and one of his Pro-Vice-Chancellors met with seven members of the Union of Students Executive this morning and agreed that lines of communication should be re-established with the University of Sheffield student body over the issues raised by a number of different interest groups concerned with events in Gaza. More at the Sheffield Uni occupation blog

Some Jewish students at Sheffield University have set up a Facebook group opposing the occupation. Jewish students actively supporting the occupation have responded: Jewish occupation activists respond to Sheffield J-Soc The Secretary of the University of Sheffield Jewish Society today released a statement on a Facebook group set up to oppose us expressing the feelings of vulnerability and harassment felt by some Jewish students towards our occupation. The text of this statement is viewable at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/topic.php?uid=60170581533&topic=9766. Below, Jewish activists within our occupation respond to the statement. We are writing as Jewish activists from within the occupation in response to fears and concerns expressed by J-Soc. Although we regret any feeling of victimisation on the part of any Jewish student, or any student of another ethnic minority, we wish to make it entirely clear that our occupation is unambiguously opposed to anti-Semitism, which we...

The occupiers need your help... Given university management's intransigence, we are asking all Sheffield students, workers and other supporters of the occupation to send the following model email to Vice Chancellor Keith Burnett at vc@sheffield.ac.uk . CC to email to Rowann Sharples, his personal secretary, at r.sharples@sheffield.ac.uk , and CC us in at sheffieldoccupation@googlemail.com . You can also ring Rowann Sharples on (0114) 222 1006. More at the Sheffield University occupation blog

From the Sheffiled University Occupation blog We are writing to you from inside a student occupation which began this evening in the Hicks building. We have peacefully taken control of two lecture theatres (5 and 6) on Floor E and are running them safely as democratic, student-run spaces. We have done this in protest at the failure of university management to continue a process of negotiation over the university's response to Israel's recent attack on Gaza. As student activists and members of the University of Sheffield community, we call on the university to: 1. Issue a statement condemning the disproportionate actions of the Israeli state against the Palestinian people. 2. Create a special programme of five Palestinian scholarships and waive all fees for current students from the occupied territories. 3. Enter into an academic partnership with the University of Gaza. 4. Donate old books, computers and other relevant equipment to the University of Gaza, and pay for...

From the Newcastle Uni occupation blog We will leave the occupation this evening on the condition that: John Hogan will meet with Newcastle University Gaza Solidarity Campaign at 12pm on March 12th, on equal terms for meaningful negotiations on our revised demands to begin. The Vice Chancellor and/or Paul Younger will be present as well as Dr. Trottier. We are excited about the talks tomorrow. The occupation itself has ended at this point because we have been promised that the necessary steps will be taken immediately for our demands to be realised. We have no guarentee, of course, that our demands will be met, but are confident that the appropriate people will be present at these talks to continue our campaign effectively. This was our democratically chosen condition for the occupation.

From the Newcastle Occupation blog It's 8:20am - the security has been stepped up and they are stopping outside supporters from bringing food into the occupied space. THEY ARE DOING THIS BY FORCE!!!! Please email or contact John Hogan to demand that they let food into the occupation john.hogan@newcastle.ac.uk 0191 2226078 No pics yet Send protests and messages of support for the occupation to the Vice Chancellor Chris Brink chris.brink@newcastle.ac.uk BBC Tyne have reported on the occupation - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/7937651.stm

Visit there blog for details. Well done Newcastle. Occupied the Fine Arts Bldg. Demanding 10 scholarships this time! http://newscastleoccupation.blogspot.com Demands: * Newcastle University issues a public statement condemning Israel’s recent attack on Gaza and the continuing illegal occupation of Palestinian territories. * Newcastle University divests its annual 3% in the arms trade, and develops an ethical and transparent investment policy. * Newcastle University creates a scholarship programme for a minimum of 10 Palestinian students per year who have had their right to an education taken away because of the ongoing conflict. * Newcastle University boycotts Israeli goods and companies. * Newcastle University supports its students in political actions and campaigning, and lifts the restrictions on flyering/postering on campus. * Newcastle University provides academic aid and financial support to The Islamic University of Gaza. * Newcastle University co-ordinates a fund and awareness ...

Alan Gilbert, the vice chancellor that bankrupted his old university in Melbourne with his extreme privatisation policy, is now faced with a student body hostile to his rule and has also succeeded in alienating academic and support staff. He is isolated and the student body has been invigorated and strengthened in the battle for solidarity with Gaza - and the wide gamut of other issues faced by students in the UK, up against the corporatisation of education in the UK. Well done Manchester for maintaining your month long occupation which can of course be reinstituted. However, the importance of occupying and holding strategic university buildings - the admin and post rooms - should be emphasised. From Manchester University occupation blog After 31 days, 2 Emergency General Meetings, support from academics, students and trade unions from across the globe, as part of over 30 occupations in the U.K, students scaling the gates and blockading the Board of Directors car park; with guest speak...

The Vice Chancellor Professor Alan Gilbert’s former university which he brought to near ruins by privatizing the university’s assets effectively creating a two-tier system, have been in constant correspondence with us throughout the occupation providing support and solidarity. Today they sent pictures of students outside the self-named Alan Gilbert building with a banner which they have sent showing support for all the occupations across the United Kingdom. From Manchester University occupation blog The occupation continues at Manchester despite threats to forcibly evict the students.

The occupying students at Manchester Uni received an ultimatum to leave the occupation by 5.00pm today. They have defied it and remain in occupation despite threats of disciplinary action by the vice chancellor and the filming of all involved for ID purposes. Security guards have refused to be involved in any filming of students. Send messages of support to the students and protest to the VC Alan Gilbert. Visit the blog for the latest developments: http://manunioccupation.wordpress.com/

Students from across the country attended a protest today to support Gaza and the Manchester student occupation. At 2pm students 200 held a rally outside the Students Union, before marching via the Vice Chancellors building around the campus. Students there have been occupying a lecture theatre in the University’s Simon Building in support of Gazans. The students have issued a list of demands to the University to take a progressive stance on Gaza crisis. The demands include ending all investment and research in the manufacturing of weapons, providing scholarships for Palestinian students and Israelis who refuse to serve in the IDF, and sending surplus academic supplies from refurbished buildings to students in Gaza. The students in the Manchester occupation have constantly tried to negotiate with University Management, but the Management has refused to sincerely engage with the students. more

The University of East London have won all of their demands. To remind people, the demands were: 1. Issues a clear statement condemning Israel's blockade of Gaza and the recent atrocities committed against the civilians of Gaza. 2. Immediately divests itself of any and all interests and investments in companies directly or indirectly linked with arms sales to Israel and to make publicly available all UEL current and future investments. 3. Grants five Palestinian students every year full scholarships funded by UEL (similar to the Commonwealth scholarships) 4. Twins itself with the Islamic University of Gaza and provides support for the rebuilding effort following the recent destruction. 5. Provides any surplus equipment to Universities in Gaza i.e. books, computers etc. 6. Authorises, facilitates and promotes an official DEC collection day around campus. 7. Grants free access at all times to all participants in the occupation and takes no reprisals against any participants in the oc...