Students in University College Dublin (UCD) have begun an encampment on its campus, demanding the college cut ties with Israeli institutions. 

The tents were set up on Saturday evening near the main lake at the university by the students’ union. 

The protestors are demanding the university cut all ties with Israeli institutions and condemn the Israeli State for the ongoing war in Gaza. 

They are also asking that UCD commits to divest from Israeli companies and provides scholarships for Palestinian students to attend UCD. 

“We will not accept the inclusion of any neutral statement that condemns all forms of violence on both sides, which creates a false moral and material equivalence, underplaying the genocidal destruction Israel has unleashed on the Palestinian people,” a statement said. 

Encampment at UCD calling on the college to cut ties with Israeli institutions. Image: Sheila Naughton/Newstalk

Students’ Union President Martha Ní Riada said UCD must “take a stance against genocide”. 

“We think this is something that is really important, especially when all the universities in Gaza have been destroyed,” she said. 

The union said the encampment is “a peaceful expression of empathy and solidarity, aimed at raising awareness and fostering meaningful dialogue within the UCD community”. 

UCD students previously staged a protest at the college when former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi received an honorary doctorate from the university. 

A video shows Ms Ní Riada at the ceremony condemning the college for awarding Ms Pelosi before she was forcibly removed by security. 

This is second pro-Palestine encampment in Ireland amid a global movement of third-level students demanding their colleges cut ties with Israel. 

Encampment at UCD calling on the college to cut ties with Israeli institutions. Image: Sheila Naughton/Newstalk

Students in Trinity College Dublin (TCD) concluded a six-day encampment on Wednesday after the college committed to begin the process of divestment. 

The college said it will divest from all Israeli companies active in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and that appear on the United Nations Blacklist by June. 

It will also set up a taskforce to review its ties with Israeli institutions, including external members and student representatives.