The day after Hamas’s brazen Oct. 7 attack on military and civilian targets in Israel, the S.J.P.
chapters co-signed an open letter declaring “full solidarity with Palestinian resistance.” The letter described the attacks as “an unprecedented historic moment for the Palestinians of Gaza” and a “counteroffensive against their settler-colonial oppressor.” It would be tantamount to “asking for quiet submission to systemic violence” for anyone to call for peace now, after years of Israeli violence and military campaigns against Palestinians.
The groups issued a list of demands to the university — divestment from companies doing business with the Israeli government, the end of Columbia’s affiliation with Tel Aviv University and a recognition of Palestinian “existence and humanity” — and announced a demonstration on Oct. 12 on the steps of Low Library.
“We got some pushback from the university,” recalled Cameron Jones, an organizer of the J.V.P.
chapter, “but not insane pushback.”
Persons:
” —, ”, Cameron Jones
Organizations:
Tel Aviv University, Low
Locations:
Israel, Gaza, Columbia