From the Group | Stanford College students for Justice in Palestine

To the Stanford group and anxious people all over the place, 

We, the members of Stanford College students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), really feel compelled to deal with the current and ongoing injustices confronted by the Palestinian folks. Because the world witnesses the atrocities dedicated in Palestine, it turns into more and more clear that these occasions aren’t remoted incidents, however somewhat a part of the protracted wrestle in opposition to settler-colonial oppression. The media’s depiction of Saturday’s resistance as a one-off occasion is basically reductionist: no dialog about Palestine may be performed with out the context of the many years of systematic oppression, discrimination and violence the Palestinian folks have confronted. 

Israel at the moment locations a “land, water and air” siege on the Gaza Strip. Often slicing off water and electrical energy, Israel vindictively guidelines and occupies the Gaza Strip. Israel additionally usually forces Palestinian produce to spoil somewhat than permitting it to move by way of checkpoints to the place it may be offered. Israel’s alternative to put siege to Gaza has brought about Gaza to develop into an “open-air jail,” a time period being utilized by the Human Rights Watch. These situations ought to provoke all of us to take motion and struggle for security on the earth. 

We’re embarrassed to stay in a world that tolerates this stage of constant, systematic and unrelenting violence. The truth that folks may be handled like this within the twenty first century is a stain on our historical past. 

Palestinians, like all peoples, have the authentic proper to withstand occupation, apartheid and systemic injustice. Saturday’s occasions underscore the structural violence, displacement and each day hardships Palestinians have confronted for many years beneath a regime that seeks to undermine their fundamental human rights and dignity. It’s important for us as an instructional group and as international residents to acknowledge the roots of this battle. Whereas it is likely to be simple for some to view the problem as a distant geopolitical dispute, the fact is way easier. Western media will hail the Ukrainians who defend their homeland as valiant heroes; nevertheless, there’s a distinct double commonplace at play in terms of the resistance of the Palestinian folks in opposition to the settler colonialists of Israel. 

Moreover, whereas Palestinian resistance is authorized beneath worldwide legislation, Israel’s breathtakingly violent actions are unlawful collective punishment beneath the Geneva Conference. For instance, Israel’s destruction of Palestine Tower, a media and residential constructing, constitutes a struggle crime, since information and civilians aren’t authentic navy targets beneath U.N. legislation.

At its core, this message is about an oppressed inhabitants striving for equality, freedom and self-determination within the face of systemic subjugation. We’re dismayed by the truth that establishments like Stanford, which proclaim values of justice, equality and human rights, proceed to be entangled with corporations and entities that instantly or not directly assist the equipment of this oppression. Our affiliation with such entities not solely undermines our collective values but additionally tacitly condones the perpetuation of this injustice. Moreover, between 2008 and 2020, Palestinians have endured 96% of the overall casualties ensuing from the battle, demonstrating the one-sided nature of the scenario. 

We stand firmly with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions marketing campaign, echoing their name for speedy motion to stop all navy, safety and technological collaboration with these implicated within the ongoing colonization of Palestine. We additionally demand an finish to any partnerships with corporations that actively take part within the dispossession of Palestinians. We acknowledge the energy and resilience of the Palestinian folks, who, regardless of dealing with overwhelming odds, proceed to rise and assert their simple rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Their resistance isn’t just a testomony to their spirit but additionally a reminder of the universality of the human want for justice and freedom. Injustice wherever hurts all of us. The truth that Palestinians should endure such brutal situations is a humiliation to the trendy human situation. The one factor that Israeli apartheid has succeeded in doing is creating violence and distress, which may be heard all around the globe. 

In solidarity with the Palestinian trigger, we name upon the Stanford group and people all over the place to teach themselves, elevate consciousness and actively problem complicity on this system of oppression. 

Justice for Palestine is justice for all. 

This text was written by members of Stanford College students for Justice in Palestine management.