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  "path": "/news/edinburgh-news-palestine-students-disrupt-university-graduation",
  "publishedAt": "2026-07-07T08:20:12.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "More than 300,000 children skive school after England’s World Cup win",
    "Locals fight to stop city's only Hindu temple from being turned into mosque",
    "Muslim teacher banned after telling pupils 'gay and transgender people are mentally ill'",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nDroves of pro-Palestine students disrupted a university graduation ceremony by shouting, waving banners and walking out over the institution's alleged involvement with Israeli-backed companies.\n\nAround 50 activists wearing graduation gowns staged the dramatic protest at the University of Edinburgh last Wednesday.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe demonstration took place at the historic McEwan Hall, where history students were receiving their degrees in front of family and friends in the Scottish capital.\n\nProtesters brought the much-anticipated ceremony to a jarring halt with chanting before marching out of the venue adorned with flags and banners.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nReports indicate one parent at the ceremony was \"incandescent\" about the disruption.\n\nThe parent said: \"I don't think I have ever been made to feel so othered at a public event before in my life. That's our only child's only graduation. Ruined.\"\n\nIt came in response to the university's relationship with firms allegedly connected to Israel, with demonstrators directing their anger at the institution's leadership.\n\nVice-Chancellor Sir Peter Mathieson has become a particular target for left-wing student anger over the university's stance on the Middle East conflict.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe principal first drew criticism after a meeting with Israel's deputy ambassador to the UK in August 2024.\n\nSir Peter has also faced pressure from university staff regarding his oversight of £140 million in budget reductions.\n\nDuring the protest, students shouted at Sir Peter to \"pay your workers\" rather than \"f**king murderers\".\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * More than 300,000 children skive school after England’s World Cup win\n  * Locals fight to stop city's only Hindu temple from being turned into mosque\n  * Muslim teacher banned after telling pupils 'gay and transgender people are mentally ill'\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nFurther controversy surrounds the university's endowment fund, which holds stakes in multinational corporations said to maintain ties to the Israeli military, according to a United Nations report.\n\nOli Anselm, the outgoing president of Edinburgh's Jewish Society, condemned demonstrations for fostering a hostile environment for Jewish students on campus.\n\nShe accused university administrators of failing to take sufficient action against the protests, which have continued since the Gaza conflict began.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMs Anselm told The Telegraph: \"It is deeply upsetting that there has been such a lack of action regarding the recent graduation walkouts and Palestinian activism.\n\n\"Such actions continue to foster and cultivate a toxic culture on campus for Jewish students. The university must take action to prevent the detrimental ramifications for its Jewish students.\"\n\nA university spokesman condemned the circumstances of the protest, saying: \"Graduations are hugely significant milestones for our students.\n\n\"While we respect the right to peaceful protest, we also have a responsibility to ensure ceremonies can run smoothly and safely so that all of our graduates can celebrate their achievements with their families and supporters.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Pro-Palestine students disrupt university graduation with shouting, banners and walkout"
}