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Students at name-brand universities across the country are putting forth statements in support of Palestine in the wake of the Hamas terror attack on Israel. Over 30 Harvard student organizations made a joint statement the day of the assault, writing that Israel is “entirely responsible” for the “unfolding violence.”
Columbia University students from the groups Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace asserted that “the weight of responsibility for the war and casualties undeniably lies with the Israeli extremist government and other Western governments.” Likewise, Students for Justice in Palestine at Northwestern University affirmed in the aftermath of the attack that they “stand unwavering in our commitment to highlighting the profound injustices faced by the Palestinian people.”
All the statements used left-wing, anti-colonial language. Harvard students described Israel as an “apartheid regime” that forced Palestinians into “colonial retaliation.” Columbia students characterized the Israelis as “extremist … colonial-settlers.” Northwestern University students stated that it is a “grievous miscarriage of justice to portray Palestinians as the aggressors in this occupation” and that it is “morally untenable to portray Israel as the victim.”
“From Algeria to Ireland, from South Africa to Vietnam, from East Timur to Tibet, and from Native American to Black American civil rights struggles, the human desire for autonomy and dignity has historically remained powerful and unwavering,” wrote the Northwestern students. “The Palestinian narrative and efforts are woven from this same fabric of
