Gaza protests: an inside account

The occupation begins on Wednesday. The usually grey and listless building is soon transformed by a pair of banners bearing two potent and succinct messages; "End Israeli War Crimes"; 'End the Siege of Gaza'.

Fourth year student 'Alice', tells me that, “we wish to promote human compassion without political affiliation. We cannot ignore the severity of the situation in Gaza. The actions of Israel are intolerable. The excuse of human shield is not good enough.”

Their campaign is tireless. Even at half-nine on a cold winter evening, the table outside is still manned. Despite the temperature, four affable faces peered from beneath colourful woolen hats.

Inside, the group is quiet and tired. Yet, an unexpected feeling of organisation and sincerity fills the room. The walls are adourned with Palestinian flags, campaign posters and leaflets. The protesters are helpful and informative who articulately explain their intentions; perhaps this is more than a disgruntled student protest?

The occupiers were keen to highlight the nature of the protest. As 'Dylan' tells me: "This is an open invite to anybody who wishes to be involved or bring attention to atrocities in Gaza. We do not want to isolate ourselves and be seen as unwelcoming troublemakers. This is an educational exercise."

The experiences of some members are shocking. 'Alice' has lived and worked in the Middle East and has spent a considerable amount of time in Gaza. She speaks about a refugee, a quiet-spoken eighteen-year-old who had been walking in the valley near his settlement when he was shot with an illegal spinning bullet. Israeli soldiers claimed he had been carrying a bomb, yet no evidence appeared to substantiate this, despite requests from the family.

"The Israeli army employs illegal spinning bullets and white phosphorous. It uses Gaza as a military testing ground. The people are suffering the restrictions of a blockade in an area of land 139 square miles with a population of 1.4 million people,” claims 'Alice'.

Another protester, 'Daniel', argues: “There are many myths surrounding Gaza. Most notably the YouTube video that apparently supports the claim that the UN school shelters Hamas in from 2001; a highly outdated source."

One of the major criticisms has been of the disruption caused to the daily lives of Edinburgh's students, loud music and intense drumming having little place next door to students in the library just feet away. But accusations that classes had been cancelled aren't entirely true claims 'Dylan'.

“The class proceeded as planned," he says, regarding one social-theory lecture. Our possessions are concealed behind the stage and all we had to do was sit quietly among the students. Other lecturers informed the university that they did not mind our presence, but these were cancelled nonetheless. We disrupted nothing.”

He continues: “Our cause is just and our demands reasonable and ethical. All we want is the university to boycott and withdraw investment in companies involved in the Gaza conflict. We have had support from Noam Chomsky as well as Norman Finkelstein and we invite others to join these notables as well as the 500 names on our petition.”

The occupation passed without incident and George Square Lecture Theatre is now back in the hands of the university. The Gaza conflict, however, continues.