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Sixteen arrested for protest at Oxford University in Gaza

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Sixteen protesters were arrested after an Oxford University building was closed due to occupation by a pro-Palestinian group.

Oxford Action for Palestine (OA4P) began a protest at the university’s offices in Wellington Square at 08:00 BST.

The group demanded a meeting with the university to review its policies regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Thames Valley Police (TVP) said they arrested 16 people on suspicion of aggravated break and enter.

A Palestinian flag hangs in the window of the Oxford University officesA Palestinian flag hangs in the window of the Oxford University offices

A Palestinian flag was hung in a first-floor window [BBC]

He added that one of the 16 was also arrested on suspicion of common assault.

BBC Radio Oxford reporter Phil Mercer-Kelly, who was at the scene, said hundreds of people were outside the building, being prevented from entering by police.

He added that there was a “huge movement” when police forced a group of people back into Little Clarendon Street to allow police vans to leave.

Protesters gained access to a private office inside the building and hung a Palestinian flag in a window alongside a list of their demands.

In a statement, TVP said: “Elements of this protest sought to obstruct the removal of detained people.”

The statement added that police were still managing an ongoing peaceful protest in the city.

It is unclear whether the Wellington Square offices remain closed.

People sitting on the street in front of the policePeople sitting on the street in front of the police

Police forced some people back to Little Clarendon Street [BBC]

An OX4P spokesperson said: “Today, Oxford students organized a peaceful demonstration to demand that the university meets with us after two weeks of no response.

“Instead of talking to her students, the vice-rector chose to evacuate the building, block it and call the police to make arrests.

“We demand that the government meets with us to negotiate immediately.”

The university has not yet responded to a request for comment.

On May 6th, the so-called “liberated zones” were created at the Natural History Museum, Oxford and King’s College, Cambridge.

Protesters called on universities to cut financial ties with Israel following its offensive in Gaza.

More than 33,000 people have been killed in Israel’s offensive in Gaza, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said, most of them civilians.

Israel rejects accusations that it was involved in genocidal acts in its campaign in Gaza and has insisted that it has the right to defend itself following the Hamas armed incursion on October 7.

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