Trinity Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) student group have proclaimed that they are “still watching” in a front gate banner drop this afternoon.
Shortly after 2pm today the group dropped a banner displaying the words “We are still watching” from a window in Regent House with another banner reading “TCD still funds genocide” displayed on the campanile.
The demonstration was organised in response to new links between Trinity and Israel which were revealed to the group through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request in November.
The FOI, which was seen by Trinity News, revealed that a total €1,836 was paid to Israeli company Alomone Labs for “two specialist lab consumables, required to support research”.
“Alomone was the sole source available at the time and is no longer a supplier to the university,” the FOI noted.
According to press release from Trinity BDS earlier this month, before receiving an official response from the FOI, the group along Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) were called to an “emergency meeting” with the Provost and the Senior Dean where they were briefed on the “on the discovery of payment to a new Israeli supplier, as well as two more research ties”.
“Both the provost and senior dean were regretful and stressed no intentionality behind it, but we call it what it is: carelessness,” Trinity BDS said.
In a press release today Trinity BDS said: “This carelessness on account of the college is highly troubling, and the college must take swift action in response to these developments. Following our successful encampment, we said we’d hold the university to account, and this is what we’re doing today with our banner drop.”
“Should the college not take swift action in light of these developments, we will be left with no choice but to resort to more protest against Trinity.”
The group is demanding that college “implement reparative action by donating the full amount they paid to the Israeli supplier (€1,836) to the Palestinian Red Crescent”.
They also demand that college release “a review of its links to Israel every six months”.
“If you don’t take action in cases of grave injustice, you are siding with the oppressor. Trinity cannot continue this carelessness in the face of apartheid, genocide and war crimes.”
“We must hold our College to account and demand that it cut all ties with the apartheid and genocidal state Israel,” the group said.
“Trinity students refuse to be complicit, will college join us?”
In a statement to Trinity News, a spokesperson for college said: “Trinity recognises students’ right to peaceful protest. As to the supplier issue, we are grateful that this has been brought to our attention. A refined set of processes will be put in place to prevent this from recurring.”
“The ongoing work of the Taskforce on Academic and Institutional International Links and Related Matters is very much welcomed. The Taskforce has accepted submissions from stakeholders from both within and outside Trinity.”
Today’s demonstration was originally planned to take place last Friday but was postponed due to Storm Éowyn.
