Pro-Palestine protestors hold "die-in" on campus

On 27 October, pro-Palestinian protestors held a "die-in" across Oxford Road from Whitworth Hall, aiming to push students to vote on the Union Assembly motion to end partnership with Tel Aviv university, which has since passed.

The protest was coordinated by a number of pro-Palestinian groups, and was announced in an Instagram post calling for "justice, accountability and action from University of Manchester for still maintaining ties to the Zionist entity."

Roughly 20 activists lay prone in the street for around 30 minutes, supported by others leading chants, handing out pamphlets and holding flags. A small crowd gathered between the Williamson and Simon Buildings to watch.

Chants of "Free, Free Palestine" were heard, while speakers attacked the University of Manchester's actions, in particular its ties with Tel Aviv University. A speaker described UoM as having "bankrupted their morals" and "legitimised murder and genocide."

Furthermore, speech notes seen by The Mancunion, declared "I am calling on all of you to vote, students of Manchester, make us proud again."

Speaking to a postgraduate student protestor, they echoed this sentiment, emphasising that a key aim of the protest was to "encourage students to vote in the [then] current SU motion for the University to cut ties [with] Tel Aviv University."

However, speaking to another student, they seemed unsure when asked if the vote would lead to a change in university policy.

"That is hard to say. The University has been very tough. They've been very stringent [...] there's been massive student movements, and encampments even [...] but it's something that can potentially help to guide them forward and that's the main thing."

Despite this, when asked about backing for the pro-Palestinian movement, both protestors felt that students supported their cause.

"I think the student community is one of the most supportive."

"We saw the fairly recent BDS vote at the SU where we had a record turnout of students and an overwhelming majority."

In December 2023, a motion asking whether the SU should boycott and divest from Israel passed by 4144 votes to 402. However, earlier that year, a motion on whether to support a rent strike achieved a higher turnout, with 10,690 students voting yes and 219 no.

"I think that's a clear demonstrator that the university students here support BDS, they support cutting ties with Israel."

Furthermore, speaking to a Mancunion reporter, this student support for the movement was echoed by a number of students watching the protest.

"I think it's a significant demonstration because it's raising awareness about [...] an important humanitarian issue at the moment [...] I hope it leads to more successful things."

"It's good for people to use their right to demonstrate."

"I'm really proud to see people standing up, you know [for] people who don't have voices [...] and I think it's a really great demonstration for a really great cause."

On 30 October, the Union Assembly resolution in favour of cutting ties with Tel Aviv University passed with 94% of votes in favour.

In response to the vote, a University of Manchester Spokesperson has said:

"While we respect the democratic right of students to vote in favour of this motion, our researchers also have the right to pursue their research interests as they see fit, within the law."

"The motion by the Students' Union is non-binding on the University, and we believe collaboration with international partners is important, alongside our long-standing and widespread activity to provide scholarships and assistance to students and academics from conflict areas around the world"