The U of T student community has taken considerable steps to educate itself on the Palestinian humanitarian crisis and aid in pressuring for a ceasefire.
In light of the ongoing slaughter of thousands of Palestinians, members of the U of T student community have shown their unwavering opposition to the atrocities. The past two months have seen ongoing acts of solidarity with students wearing keffiyehs (a traditional Palestinian headdress and a symbol of resistance) and attending mass pro-Palestinian demonstrations. However, as university students, do these political actions hold any ground in changing the situation in Gaza?
What’s happening in Gaza and what does it have to do with Canada?
The atrocities committed in Gaza are characterised by decades of land disputes between the indigenous Arabs and settler Zionists, who formed the political state of Israel. The Gaza Strip is home to over two million Palestinians and is under the occupational control of the Israeli state. Under occupation, Israel has historically restricted the flow of essential goods such as food, water, and electricity into the area.
October 7 marked a deadly terror attack against Israel by the militant terrorist organization Hamas. As of writing, the murder of over 1,200 Israelis, led to Israel’s defense minister declaring a “complete siege” over Gaza by cutting off food, water, and fuel, and bombarding the strip. The state’s cruel retaliation has led to the cumulative punishment of civilians living in Gaza with over 13,000 Palestinians slaughtered.
The Canadian government has resisted demands by pro-Palestinian advocates to call for a ceasefire. Hence, on the international stage, such as in the UN’s recent emergency session, the state failed to call for the end of the Gaza genocide. The pro-Palestinian student community at UofT has strongly criticized the Canadian government for these failures.
What’s our significance in this matter?
In attempting to rally student support, pro-Palestinian groups on campus are hoping to aid in ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. As UofT sits next to the Ontario Legislature building, student demonstrators sought to take advantage of their indirect influence to pressure Ontario MPPs for a ceasefire. Although members of the provincial assembly, MPPs still hold political influence over their parties.
More recently, U of T “student and faculty agitators” established a “coalition in solidarity with Palestine,” to demand the university’s adoption of pro-Palestinian policies. The open letter’s demands include but are not limited to, a call for an unconditional ceasefire and the adoption of systems to prevent on-campus anti-Palestinian racism. It plans to hold a walkout on November 29 to mobilise its demands and show solidarity with the oppressed Palestinians.
The Palestine Forum, a UofT pro-Palestine initiative, also directed political support from students towards signing MP Alexandre Boulcerie’s petition, which called for “necessary measures to address the Israel-Palestine conflict.” Given that the petition has accumulated well above the requirement of 500 signatures, it is expected to be presented in the House of Commons on November 23. Although Mr Boulcerie is part of the minority NDP, the petition still pressures MPs in the House of Commons to consider public demands for Canada’s support of a ceasefire.
Student organisations, such as the Muslim Students’ Association (MSA) and Orphan Sponsorship Program (OSP) also attempted to gather student support by raising funds for Gaza’s humanitarian aid in charity sales. Furthermore, the sale of keffiyehs in the fundraiser intensified pro-Palestinian sentiment among students. The success of which persuaded the MSA to hold a second bake sale on November 15. In their October to November charity week alone, MSA recorded over $15,000 in donations for humanitarian aid to Gaza.
More recently, the Hearing Palestine “intellectual hub” has gained considerable traction in its attempt to educate students on the humanitarian and social issues associated with the historical struggle for Palestinian liberation. As a centre for academic discussion, they have hosted lectures inviting a diverse range of academics to help students understand Palestinian discrimination in Gaza. The recent November 17 session discussed the “meaning of decolonisation” and how it can be taught in academic spheres given the ongoing apartheid. By educating students, Hearing Palestine helps rally student support by pressuring the government to support a ceasefire and incentivising them to aid in providing humanitarian support to Gaza.
