Students at University College London (UCL) have established a pro-Palestinian encampment, part of a series of similar actions at universities across the UK, including Bristol, Manchester, and Warwick. This movement, inspired by protests in the United States, aims to pressure universities to divest from Israeli institutions linked to the conflict in Gaza. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has responded by supporting possible police measures against any protests deemed hostile or antisemitic, highlighting the importance of ensuring the safety of Jewish students without impinging on freedom of speech.

These campus protests have seen a varied response, with the Union of Jewish Students expressing concerns over rising antisemitic sentiments. At UCL, a spokesperson noted efforts to communicate with the protest organizers while maintaining community safety and upholding legal standards of free speech.

Similarly, in Canada, pro-Palestinian encampments have emerged at several universities, including McGill University in Montreal, where Quebec Premier François Legault has declared the encampment illegal and supported police intervention. A Quebec court, however, has denied a request to relocate the McGill encampment. At the University of Toronto, students have overtly breached barriers to establish a camp, demanding greater transparency in university investments and an end to certain academic partnerships.

These developments have sparked significant debate, drawing attention to the broader conflict affecting Gaza and impacting university communities in both the UK and Canada.