Cambridge Court Rejects Long-Term Protest Ban Over Israel-Palestine Conflict

The University of Cambridge has lost its bid for a five-year High Court injunction to block protests related to the Israel-Palestine conflict on its campuses. The university sought the injunction to prevent direct action at four locations, citing concerns over potential disruptions to graduation ceremonies. However, Mr Justice Fordham granted only a limited temporary order prohibiting protests at Senate House Yard during an upcoming ceremony, rejecting the broader request due to insufficient evidence of imminent disruption and highlighting that many ceremonies have proceeded without interference. The judge expressed concern over the university's failure to provide a comprehensive factual account, noting that only two past ceremonies had been disrupted. Pro-Palestine student groups, including Cambridge for Palestine, viewed the ruling as a victory against the university's attempts to silence dissent. The interim injunction will remain in effect until March 1, 2025, after which further clarification is anticipated.