TRIGGER WARNING: The below paper and statement contain reference to sexual assault and violence which some individuals may find distressing.
(Note to readers: The Assembly debated and approved a statement on Palestine. The Board of Trustees carefully considered the statement and took the decision to override the statement as it may commit resources, and it may be inconsistent with charity law. The statement is published in recognition that debating the issue at the Assembly (the body responsible for representing the voice of students), reaching a corporate conclusion thereon and communicating this to members is consistent with charity law.)
Palestine Statement
Throughout our lifetime and educational journeys, there’s been an issue concerning us all. City St George’s Students’ Union Assembly will always condemn the ongoing injustice and violence occurring within the state of Palestine due to the actions of the Israeli Occupation Force. As advocates for human rights, we’ll always stand with Palestine.
When one of us hurts, all of us do. Day and night, the blood of our brothers and fathers are shed, our mothers and sisters raped, and our children butchered. With the soldiers of Israel filming themselves laughing whilst committing these disgusting acts. Palestine has no Land Army, no Navy and no Airforce. How can this be called a war and not a genocide? 'It is important to call a genocide a genocide'. This is not an issue that began in 2023 but an issue going back decades with generations of Palestinians suffering from displacement, ethnic cleansing and continue to be massacred merely for just existing.
Students within Palestine are denied their right of education with more than 80% of schools damaged or destroyed completely. At least 625,000 students have no access to education, a right that all should have, with the apparent intention to eradicate the Palestinian education system, an action known as ‘Educide’. Academics being killed, one case being Shaban al-Dalou, a software engineering student burned alive in a hospital courtyard whilst connected to an IV drip. Remember his name and research his story.
The statistics, accurate as of October 21st 2024, show that over 44,235 Palestinians have been killed and at least 104,638 wounded. A significant segment of this number being children. The jump compared to the 2021 statement is horrific, where the death toll was at 212. Now more than ever this matter requires the attention of our student community, you, to courageously speak out against injustice. Your voice is a powerful tool, it can be used to change the world. Do not underestimate it.
Student Feedback - No Place for Hate and Discrimination
Across Disaster Relief Month (DRM), the Union spoke to 100+ students within Clerkenwell, Tooting and Moorgate who agree there is no place for antisemitism, Islamophobia, hate speech/movement, or anti-Palestinian rhetoric in social justice activism. It threatens to undermine decades of suffering. The safety of all is our priority so we urge students to report incidents of harassment, discrimination or bullying to the University and the SU.
Students can report incidents through Report+Support, you can make a report with or without your personal details if you wish to remain anonymous.
Actions
- The SU will support student groups in fund raising initiatives, running similar campaigns to DRM.
We pledge to deliver educational initiatives providing awareness on the war-crimes in Palestine, including speakers to encourage discussion rather than turning a blind-eye to injustice.
- We’ll push support for Palestinian students within our community, with lobbying for peer support groups, priority access to counselling services and financial aid.
If this message reaches anyone within فلسطين (Palestine), know that you are not alone. Your patience and resilience in the face of brutality is unlike anything the world has seen. It has been noticed by all and it inspires us. We are here for you and we stand with you, with hopes of a day that your people will be free of tyranny.
Approved by the Assembly: 4 December 2024
Overridden by the Board of Trustees*: 10 December 2024
*The City St George’s Students’ Union Board of Trustees carefully considered the above statement and took the decision to override the statement as it may commit resources, and it may be inconsistent with charity law. The statement is published in recognition that debating the issue at the Assembly (the body responsible for representing the voice of students), reaching a corporate conclusion thereon and communicating this to members is consistent with charity law.