Police have confirmed they are investigating an incident of criminal damage after students and members of the Palestine Action group spray-painted the University of Cambridge’s Senate House.
The building, used for graduation ceremonies since the 18th century, was targeted in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The activists said “blood-red paint” was used to reflect the “Palestinian bloodshed which soaks the university's financial records, research output, and historical legacy”.
In a statement, the university said: "We strongly condemn this act of vandalism."
A police spokesperson said: “We were called at about 3am on Saturday (22 June) with reports of criminal damage at Senate House, Cambridge.
A crime has been raised for criminal damage and an investigation is ongoing.”
The group responsible claimed: “This action marks the end of an entire academic year where the University of Cambridge has funded, enabled and normalised the ongoing Palestinian genocide. Cambridge University has failed to take any meaningful action against, or even release a statement opposing, UK/US-backed-Israeli atrocities in Palestine.
“The administration has repeatedly ignored student, staff, and alumni pleas for dialogue. The university has additionally refused to engage with escalating disruption which has been pursued in response to their silence, including the longstanding Cambridge University encampment.”
A pro-Palestinan encampment was set up in central Cambridge, outside King’s College, in May.
One activist added: “Uni administration sit in ivory towers, and don't bat an eyelid at their involvement in the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
“The white pillars at Senate House prop up a legacy of white supremacy and colonialism, which continues to this day through investments in and partnerships with arms companies.”
The activist warned “actions will escalate” and added: “Cambridge's graduation hall is stained with the blood of Palestinians and now these stains have been made visible."
