AMHERST, Mass. — UMass Amherst Students for Justice in Palestine are asking their university to cut ties with companies like Raytheon, who have supplied weapons to Israel in the war in Gaza.

Members of the chapter had set up an encampment on campus Monday in solidarity with the Palestinian community.

Chapter Member Malia Cole said the group took down the tents Wednesday after University said it was in violation of the schools land use policy.

The UMass Amherst sophomore said her group simply wants the school end their relationship with companies contributing to harm against Palestinians in Gaza.

"All we want is our school to divest from the horrific genocide that Israel is committing on the Gaza Strip at the moment," said Cole. "And that includes divestment from war profiteers, specifically Raytheon, who has really deep ties to this university."

Cole said the UMass Amherst Students for Justice in Palestine are also asking for the charges to be dropped for the 57 students who were arrested last year during a campus pro-Palestinian protest.

Opponents of the protests say it's important for Israel to be able to defend itself against opponents.