University of Birmingham becomes first to threaten pro-Palestinian students with police action

Student demonstrations have taken place at some of Britain’s most prestigious universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, over the war in Gaza.

Rishi Sunak on Thursday convened a meeting with the vice-chancellors at no. 10 and warned that anti-Semitism must not be tolerated, amid reports from Jewish students that they feel unsafe on campuses.

The Telegraph understands that Professor Adam Tickell, vice-chancellor of the University of Birmingham, attended the meeting.

Less than 24 hours after the students pitched their tents on the university lawn on Thursday, they were issued a letter ordering them to leave.

Dr Blanco’s message to students states: “The University of Birmingham confirms that it does not give you permission to protest at the Green Heart or any other part of the Edgbaston campus (headquarters), which is private land.

“Your occupation of the premises is a trespass. The University asks you to leave the premises immediately.

“Otherwise, the University will take legal action and/or report your violation to law enforcement officials without further notice.”

The university said police had not yet been contacted as a “whole list of processes” needed to be completed first. She declined to expand on what those lawsuits would entail.

Professor Tickell canceled a meeting with protesters scheduled for Tuesday and said he would not speak to them until they left, Mail Online reported.