The University of Cambridge and Oxford University have been vandalised by Palestine Action, an anti-Israel activist group demanding that both institutions divest from companies linked to Israel. The group took responsibility for the acts and vowed to continue their „student intifada”, reports The Jerusalem Post.
On Tuesday, activists defaced the Cambridge Old Schools administrative building, covering its facade with red paint and the word „divest”. Palestine Action claimed it was targeting Cambridge University’s Endowment Fund offices, which the group accuses of investing in Israeli-linked companies.
Cambridgeshire Police confirmed they received reports of criminal damage and urged the public to share any information. A university spokesperson condemned the vandalism and stated that authorities had been contacted.
Just days later, Palestine Action struck again, smashing and graffiting the windows of Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government on Friday.
The group justified the attack by accusing Oxford University of investing in Israeli defence firm Elbit Systems. They directly threatened Oxford’s Board of Governors, stating:
„End your complicity or expect direct action.”
Activists also linked their actions to former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who was recently appointed to Oxford’s World Leaders Circle. They accused him of complicity in what they call „the genocide of Palestinians.”
Thames Valley Police confirmed an ongoing investigation, but no arrests have been made so far.
Cambridge and Oxford have both faced escalating anti-Israel protests. Cambridge hosted anti-Israel encampments in November, while at Oxford, the group Oxford Action for Palestine (OA4P) occupied the Radcliffe Camera in January, leading to police intervention and arrests.
While OA4P denied involvement in the vandalism, it publicly supported Palestine Action’s stance, vowing continued resistance:
„We, alongside members of the broader Oxford community, will not rest while the university remains complicit.”
These incidents reflect a rising trend of anti-Israel activism turning to vandalism at leading UK institutions, with authorities under pressure to address the criminal damage and threats linked to these protests.
Photo credit:Direct Action Images
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