King’s College London will ‘no longer invest in controversial weapons’ after Gaza protests

King’s College London will “no longer invest in companies engaged in the production or distribution of controversial weapons”, a Student Union representative said today, in a move that is seen as a success for Gaza encampments on campuses.

Hassan Ali, vice-president of the King’s College London Students Union, said: “The university will no longer invest in companies engaged in the production or distribution of controversial weapons.”

The announcement comes following a deal made on Monday which will be finalised in October, the Times reported.

The following clause is set to be added to the university’s governance framework: “the university will “not hold any direct or indirect (via pooled funds) investments in companies deemed to be engaged in controversial weapons.”

It added: “In this context, controversial weapons are defined as cluster bombs, land mines, depleted uranium weapons, chemical and biological weapons, blinding laser weapons, non-detectable fragments and incendiary weapons (white phosphorus). Exposure to any such investments will be monitored regularly.”

The decision comes after encampments were set up across a number of universities in the UK, US and abroad with students calling on their administrations to cease support for arm manufacturers who are fuelling Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.

Hassan Ali was among three Student Union representatives who had their positions revoked in November for speaking out against Israel’s actions.

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