Protest camps, exam contingency plans and exclusions... inside the bitter debate gripping Manchester University

Neatly lined up across the green space that sits over the road from the University of Manchester's iconic Whitworth Arch sit dozens of tents. On the other side of the road, a huge Palestinian flag has been unfurled over one of the institution's most famous buildings. This is the new normal at the University of Manchester.

For months now, students and University leadership have been caught up in an embittered debate over the institution's ties to Israel amid the backdrop of the ongoing Gaza war. Students have staged protests, created an encampment, renamed University spaces, and occupied buildings in a bid to encourage bosses to meet their demands.

University bosses say they 'fully recognise the right of students and staff to protest within the law,' but labelled the Brunswick Park - renamed by protesters as the Dr Adnan Al Bursh Park - encampment as 'unlawful', adding it poses 'health and safety concerns'. So far, neither students nor management have shown any sign of changing tack.

READ MORE: Moment police face demonstrators in Manchester city centre

Now, the University says they have been forced to bring in 'exam contingency plans' after protesters have occupied Whitworth Hall. But demonstrators say they won't be leaving until bosses engage in negotiations with them. So what exactly are they asking for?

Protesters have set out four demands that they want met before they agree to disband the camp and leave the Whitworth Hall complex.

The University has a 'long-term relationship in research, education and consultancy' with arms manufacturer BAE Systems. The two have worked together in the aerospace sector, redesigning aircraft, as well as in the fields of data science, AI and cyber.

BAE Systems is the UK's largest