Trinity students blockade the Book of Kells Experience due to college's 'continued ties with Israel'

Thu, 27 Mar, 2025 - 12:12

Eva Osborne

The Trinity BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) student group at Trinity College Dublin said "direct action" returned to the campus in the form of a blockade of the Book of Kells Experience.

The group said the blockade, which took place on Thursday morning, was a response to the college's "continued ties with Apartheid Israel".

In a statement, a Trinity College spokesperson said the blockade did not disrupt normal proceedings as it only lasted five or so minutes.

Protestors stayed outside around the area for about an hour.

Trinity BDS said the college "has continued to act carelessly, forging new ties with Israel".

"Earlier this year, we discovered that Trinity had bought materials from a new Israeli supplier (Alomone Labs) amounting to €1836 through a Freedom of Information (FOI) Request, despite them previously stating that they only had one Israeli supplier remaining (Enspire Science Ltd) till March 2025 for contractual reasons.

"In response to this act of carelessness, we escalated by doing a banner drop, placing a banner saying “TCD still funds genocide” in front of the Campanile and another banner outside of Regent House saying “We are still watching”.

"In response to the continued carelessness of the college, and in response to Trinity’s continued complicity in genocide and apartheid, we have initiated this blockade to put increased pressure on the college to keep to their commitments."

A Trinity College Dublin spokesperson said: "A demonstration took place this morning outside the Old Library. It has since dispersed.

"A Taskforce on Academic and Institutional Links and related matters was established by the University Board last year as part of an agreement that ended an encampment on campus.

"This Taskforce includes TCDSU and other student representatives. An update on the work of the Taskforce was on yesterday's Board agenda and a report from the Taskforce will be provided to Board by the summer."