Cambridge University has promised a review of its investments in arms companies following student pressure over ties to Israel, if students agree to shut down the Cambridge for Palestine (C4P) encampment.

In a statement published today, the University said that it would review its “approach to responsible investment,” including “monitoring defence exposures within investment portfolios”.

The statement was authored by vice-chancellor Deborah Prentice, pro-vice-chancellor for university community and engagement Kamal Munir, and pro-vice-chancellor for education Bhaskar Vira.

They stated that these commitments would only come into effect with the encampment “closing down”.

To implement this policy, the University has set out a roadmap of how a review could take place. This includes the establishment of a working group to begin the process of review over summer, and the review taking place “rapidly during Michaelmas Term 2024” when the academic year restarts, “with the aim of arriving at initial positions by the end of the term”.

As a part of this group, the University has proposed that a student-led task force be formed, to work with University heads on the review. The task force would elect its own members, be self governing, and “oversee policy” around investments and research, by making recommendations to relevant University committees.

The encampment was first set up outside King’s College by C4P in May, calling on the University to disclose its holdings in companies associated with Israel, and to subsequently divest from them. C4P had stated they will not leave the site until their demands are met.

In the statement, titled “Upholding our values,” the University emphasised its support for “students’ right to academic freedom, freedom of speech and the right to protest, all within the law”. The University revealed that the Office for Students (OfS) had written to Cambridge, and other institutions, to remind it of its “legal duty to protect freedom of speech and the right to protest within the law”.

The OfS also reminded Cambridge to ensure that protests do not disrupt the University’s “essential functions” or affect the “wellbeing” of students.

Along with investments in arms, the University has also committed to a review of all research partnerships it holds with arms and defence companies.

The VC and pro-vice-chancellors also committed to supporting Palestinian academics and students, including offering prospective Palestinian students positions on the Cambridge International Summer School programme.

This comes after the University launched its Humanitarian Relief Fund in May, following pressure to support students affected by humanitarian disasters across the world, including that in Gaza. Today’s statement revealed that Cambridge has donated an initial £100,000 to this fund, and is actively calling for donations from colleges and faculties.

The statement also noted that the decision to review investments came following the “recent resolution at the Cambridge SU Student Members’ Meeting,” along with pressure from “various college-level approved motions”. These events made clear the “strength of feeling” that the University’s “current investment may not be in line with [its] institutional values,” they said.

The University stressed that it has been “in dialogue with students” about the “humanitarian tragedy” in Gaza, with the statement’s authors saying that their “thoughts remain with all those who are affected by the tragic events taking place in Gaza, other parts of Palestine, Israel and elsewhere”.

The SU voted to formally support the encampment last month, with multiple colleges JCRs including Trinity, Queens, and Clare issuing statements of support to the encampment.

Last month, King’s College committed to a review of sustainable investments, following student protest around its alleged ties to Israel.

Pro-vice-chancellors Vira and Munir have been at the centre of C4P’s campaign. In May, student protesters handed their demands directly to the University heads, and both have been present in negotiations between Cambridge and student representatives of the group.

The University of Cambridge and Cambridge for Palestine have been contacted for comment.