University of Birmingham students have warned of possible legal action over the Gaza camp

University of Birmingham students have been told they could face legal action if they do not remove their anti-war camp from Gaza.

The university is one of more than a dozen in Britain, including Cambridge and Oxford, where camps similar to those in the United States have been set up, where there have been tense clashes and thousands of arrests.

Concerns about a similar potential escalation saw the vice-chancellors of several UK universities summoned to a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss anti-Semitism on campuses and keeping Jewish students safe.

The University of Birmingham previously said it was “monitoring the situation to ensure safety and minimize disruption”. It has now emerged that a letter has been issued to students warning them they face legal action if they do not close their camp.

In the letter, seen by the Daily Mail and sent by the university’s director of legal services, Dr Nicola Cardenos Blanco, students involved in the camp at the university’s main campus in Edgbaston are told they are trespassing.

The letter, which the University of Birmingham has confirmed to Yahoo News UK is genuine, says: “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 Headquarters is a violation. The University requests that you leave the premises immediately.

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

The letter comes after Birmingham vice-chancellor Prof Adam Tickell reportedly canceled a meeting with pro-Palestinian protesters and said he would not be willing to speak to them until the camp was dismantled.

Without permission or authority

In a statement, the University of Birmingham said: “A small group of tents has been set up on campus by people protesting in support of Palestine. The university is operating normally, exams and other activities are continuing as planned.

“The University of Birmingham recognizes that students will want to take part in protests about issues they care deeply about. There are many ways this can be done legally and the profile of a cause is high. Our code of practice for freedom of expression sets out how we support this, including through authorized demonstrations. However, this does not include camping on University property where permission or authority to do so does not exist.

“We are monitoring the situation to ensure safety and minimize disruption, including for students currently studying and taking exams, as well as other wider educational and university activities. We ask that the protesters also respect this.

“Our university community includes staff, students and visitors from a wide range of backgrounds and beliefs. Everyone has the right to conduct business safely and without intimidation or harassment, and we will not tolerate any form of discrimination or racism, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. We hold regular discussions with a range of student and staff representatives to hear their views and ensure they feel supported.

“We have a wide range of support available to students and staff.”

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