The University of Copenhagen announced on Tuesday that it will cease investing in Israeli companies conducting business in the occupied West Bank.

The decision came in response to student protests demanding the university sever financial and institutional ties with "Israel."

Hundreds of students initiated campus protests in early May, voicing their opposition to "Israel's" genocidal campaign in Gaza.

The protesters have called for the university to end academic partnerships with "Israel" and divest from companies operating in the occupied West Bank.

In response to the protests, the university will divest approximately 1 million Danish crowns ($145,810) from Airbnb (ABNB.O), Booking.com (BKNG.O), and eDreams (EDRE.MC) starting May 29. 

Opdatering vedrørende KU’s investeringer.

KU’s bestyrelse drøftede i april universitetets tilgang til placering af midler i virksomheder på FN’s liste over virksomheder, der har aktiviteter på Vestbredden.

På samme bestyrelsesmøde blev det også besluttet, at KU fremover skal… https://t.co/dJDIjwXg1k

— Københavns Uni (@koebenhavns_uni) May 28, 2024

The University of Copenhagen stated it would collaborate with fund managers to ensure its investments adhere to a United Nations list of companies involved in illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The University of Copenhagen, which generates yearly revenue exceeding 10 billion crowns, invests a portion of its funds in bonds and equities. 

Read more: Columbia University protesters resume demonstrations despite crackdown

Pro-Palestine student demonstrations have been gaining traction in recent weeks. Footage of protesters being beaten up and tear-gassed has circulated across all social media platforms.

These harrowing images indicate a new low in the state of Western democracy, where state policies supportive of Israeli apartheid benefit only a few, particularly the financial class that profits from war spending and extends colonial policies.

Despite the violence, some institutions have accepted to respond to students' demands. For instance in Australia, the University of Melbourne has agreed to agree to some of the demands on divestment.

Starting next month, the University of Melbourne will make extra disclosures about arrangements of its research project grant to enhance transparency, it said in an announcement on May 23. 

Meanwhile, US academic institutions continue to experience enduring violence on part of law enforcers.