The student-led group, under the moniker Newcastle Apartheid Off Campus, are standing in solidarity with Gaza through a series of demands towards the University.
The encampment follows months of protesting and campaigning from students after disappointment with the University’s transparency around their relationships with defence and security companies.
Visiting the camp, The Courier spoke to media representatives who spoke of the “insane” support from the local community and businesses.
They stressed the difference between “hearing and feeling overwhelming support” through the amount of donations received.
Schedules are posted each morning of daily activities in the encampment, with recent ones including board games, movie screenings and teach-outs.
Those in the camp told The Courier they find it a “productive way of channelling emotions” with recent activities like Palestinian poetry.
As reported by The Courier on February 19 and on March 13, the movement has remained impassioned through protests on campus.
Covered in a live blog by The Courier, this Wednesday May 8 saw an escalation in the encampment, stemming from allegations of cancelled and rescheduled meetings with the Vice Chancellor (VC) Chris Day.
The day’s protest ran from lunchtime through to the evening, forming a barrier around all King’s Gate entrances and exits making it difficult to enter or leave the building.
King’s Gate hosts staff and student services. In a statement to The Courier the university said:
“We are aware that some students were unable to access their student health and wellbeing appointments as a result of the protesters’ actions.
“We acted promptly to contact students to move services online, but sadly some students did miss appointments as a result of the disruption.
We are contacting students to re-book any missed appointments.”
In a statement posted on Instagram the evening of May 8, Newcastle Apartheid Off Campus addressed an “unsatisfying” resolve to meetings that have taken place.
They have continuously sought a meeting with VC Chris Day but detailed in their Instagram statement when Day has not been present in scheduled meetings, they have refused to carry out the meetings.
The group spoke to The Courier of a short-term goal to attain a meeting with any Pro Vice Chancellor – no longer necessarily Chris Day.
They added they are “prioritising constructive discourse with a PVC” now rather than specifically meeting with the VC.
In their statement to The Courier, the University has said “the Vice Chancellor was not scheduled to meet with protestors on Tuesday.”
The University’s statement echoed a similar message to the statement sent out in the student weekly newsletter expressing “attempts at constructive dialogue were not taken in the spirit intended and the protest escalated.
“We have seen evidence that this escalation has been externally coordinated, and we are working with security and police to ensure the safety and security of our campus.”
Following the claim of external involvement, the encampment has stated the “University doesn’t appear to trust students can pull off this.”
They added they are using their own “knowledge and skills” and find the claim “insulting to say”.
On their Instagram, the group outlined their demands to the University:
Their intention to change the current guidance around anti-semitism from the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance has caused reaction from other within the student body.
A prior motion had been attempted to be proposed through the Student Union Council on March 14 but did not pass through the steering committee following legal advice sought.
Eliana, President of the Newcastle University Jewish Society, has expressed “major concern” around the demand, claiming it goes “against the explicit wish of Jewish students and their representatives.”
She added: “anti-semitism must be defined by Jewish students and their elected voice.”
Eliana stated communication has taken place between the organisers of the camp and herself, which “seem peaceful.
“While students have the right to protest, much of the rhetoric at these protests has been extremely intimidating for Jewish students who only want to go to class.”
This follows her claim that “anti-semitism on campus has risen to unprecedented levels since October 7.”
Her statement addressed worldwide media, specifically the actions in American universities, having increased students’ “anxious” feelings and indicated a high concern towards “rhetoric at rallies.”
She made the claim: “one speaker praised the Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea and promoted isolating the "Zionist state".”
In regard to University and Union support, Eliana criticised a lack of support to “reduce the risks of radicalisations” but expressed gratitude towards “regular meetings” and “well-being support”.
“The University has a responsibility to protect free speech, but procedures to protect minorities from hate speech leave a lot to desire.”
The Courier has received a statement from Jewish students within the encampment, who informed: “we strongly disagree with any claims that these are not spaces for Jews or are no safe for Jews.”
They added: “we have found ourselves isolated from various Jewish spaces, but have found community and a spiritual home within this movement”.
Regarding the altering of the IHRA definition of anti-semitism, they stated: “it’s conflation between Zionism and Judaism does not protect all Jewish students, and unfairly targets pro-Palestinian activism on campus”.
Newcastle University Students’ Union (NUSU) issued a statement from Sabbatical Officers on May 9, where they affirmed active “support for every student’s right to protest peacefully including those participating in the Newcastle Student Solidarity Encampment.
“We support the students in their call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza following the motion passed in Student Council, and we continue to lobby the University to arrange a meeting between Chris Day and the students to listen to their concerns.”
With the last week of teaching for undergraduates finishing Friday 10 May, attention turns towards graduation and a question of the encampment’s presence.
The Courier was informed they will continue to work towards their demands and whilst “the encampment might not be here; the movement will be”.