Trinity College in Dublin has severed its financial ties with three Israeli companies that are on the UN blacklist for their activities in the territories of Judea and Samaria. The college’s administration issued a statement expressing solidarity with the students who initiated a protest camp on campus in response to events in Gaza Strip.
The protest camp was organized by the student union and the local branch of the BDS movement. Negotiations between students and college administrators led to an agreement to cut financial ties with Israeli companies and avoid future contracts with such entities. The administration aimed to set an example for other academic institutions and emphasized its opposition to using police to break up student protests, as seen in other countries.
Jenny Maguire, head of the student union at Trinity College, emphasized the administration’s commitment to demonstrating solidarity with students and taking a principled stance on contentious issues. The decision to sever financial ties with Israeli companies reflects Trinity College’s alignment with student concerns and ethical considerations, positioning it as a leader in socially responsible institutional practices. This move sets a precedent for addressing controversial issues within academic settings.