UK students have been urged to steer clear of violence in their protests related to the Israel-Gaza conflict, referencing the disorder that occurred in the US as an example of what to avoid. Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt labelled the disturbances in the US as “disgusting” and highlighted that over 1,000 US students were arrested due to the violence. These warnings came as pro-Palestinian movements in UK universities gained traction, with promises from UK organisers that their protests would be non-violent and educational.

Stella Swain from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign described the UK protests as peaceful and aimed at informing participants about colonialism and resistance movements. This approach apparently aims to contrast with the violent confrontations seen in the US.

Amnesty International UK’s law and human rights director, Tom Southerden, emphasised the importance of protecting the democratic right to non-violent protest in the UK, especially in light of the ongoing debates over Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Meanwhile, in the United States at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), police dispersed a pro-Palestine demonstration, arresting over 100 people. The protestors at UCLA were part of a larger movement across multiple US universities, calling for divestment from entities involved with the conflict in Gaza. This movement gained momentum following significant casualties and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, initiated by a military campaign by Israel after attacks by Hamas.

The response to these protests in the US has been significantly more confrontational compared to the UK, with numerous arrests and reports of force used against demonstrators. Despite the tensions and arrests, some universities are beginning to consider the demands for divestment made by protestors.