Amid violence, UMich student government pledges to be in ‘lockstep’ with Palestinians in their ‘fight against oppression’
A letter issued by the student government accuses Israel of "settler colonialism, ethnic cleansing, and apartheid."
The letter was signed by student government leaders, as well as the Arab Student Association and the Muslim Student Association.
The University of Michigan Central Student Government released a scathing statement in support of Palestine and against Israel, prompted by the ongoing conflict in Jerusalem. The letter accuses Israel of “settler colonialism, ethnic cleansing, and apartheid.”
”We aim to do whatever is in our power to ensure that we remain in lockstep with [the Palestinians] and their fight against oppression,” the student government said in an open letter.
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Signers of the letter include the student government’s President, Vice President, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator. The Arab Student Association and Muslim Student Association also signed the letter.
[Press Release 05.10.2021]
If you have any questions regarding the following statement or if your organization would like to sign in support please fill out this form: https://t.co/CJi3xHUUHp pic.twitter.com/wk1LrFY6uR— Central Student Govt (@umcsg) May 11, 2021
”In an effort to further suppress Palestinians, Israeli police and settler militias are currently targeting Muslims during the holiest month of Ramadan at the third most divine site in Islam; Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem,” the letter states. “Israel threatens Palestinians of all religions, from those displaced in diaspora all over the globe to Palestinians in Palestine.”
The letter blames the University of Michigan for not doing enough to cut ties with Israel.
”The University of Michigan remains complicit by choosing not to divest from Israeli companies profiting off of the settler state’s occupation.”
The student government also laments its own organization’s “prior complicity with Israel’s violence through participation in events such as yearly trips to Israel that supported the settler-state in its apartheid and occupation.”
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The letter recommends that like-minded readers follow pro-Palestinian social media accounts, including several that support BDS.
A university spokesperson told Campus Reform, ”U-M’s Central Student Government does not speak for the University of Michigan.”
”A core value of the University of Michigan is freedom of speech and respect for diverse ideas and viewpoints,” the spokesperson continued.
The Central Student Government did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.
Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @AngelaLMorabito
