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King's College Cambridge to divest millions from 'occupation' and arms industry

One of the University of Cambridge's largest colleges has decided to divest from the arms industry and companies complicit in "the occupation of Ukraine and Palestinian territories", following months of student protests. 

King's College Cambridge, founded by Henry VI in 1441, announced this week that its governing body has agreed to "adopt a responsible investment policy" by the end of the calendar year.

As of March 2023, the institution invested £2.2m ($2.94m) in arms companies including Lockheed Martin, Korea Aerospace, and BAE Systems.

The college told its members on Tuesday that under the new policy, its financial investments will exclude companies that "are involved in activities generally recognised as illegal or contravening global norms, such as occupation".

Its investments will also exclude companies that "produce military and nuclear weapons, weapons restricted by international treaty, or companies that produce key or dedicated components of such weapons". 

Read more: King's College Cambridge to divest millions from 'occupation' and arms industry

Students gather around their tents during a protest in support of Palestinian people, at King's College Cambridge on 8 May 2024 (AFP)
Students gather around their tents during a protest in support of Palestinian people, at King's College Cambridge on 8 May 2024 (AFP)