Published 21 December 2023 · Solidarity / Palestine Statement of solidarity with Palestine and call to action from Monash University staff, students and alumni Monash Staff, Students and Alumni for Palestine Dear Vice-Chancellor Susan Elliott, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Allie Clemans, and Senior President Sharon Pickering As students, staff, and alumni of Monash University’s academic community, we urgently appeal to Monash University to take a principled stance and condemn Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people. As of November 27, Israel has indiscriminately dropped the equivalent of two nuclear bombs on the Gaza Strip in the past seven weeks, resulting in the deaths of over 14,800 Palestinians in Gaza, including over 6,000 children, and injuring over 36,000 people. One and a half million Palestinians have been displaced in the latest ethnic cleansing campaign, and over 60% of the infrastructure in Gaza has been destroyed. The death toll does not include those trapped under the rubble from Israel’s relentless bombing campaign. It is essential that we address the context that contributed to this tragic situation not only in Gaza but throughout Occupied Palestine. We must reflect on how public acceptance through silence and a lack of concern has allowed such widespread atrocities to persist, we must reflect on our collective responsibility. We, as an educational institution, have dedicated ourselves to ensuring that ‘never again’ will the atrocities of the past be recommitted. Yet, we find ourselves, in 2023, watching as the same processes of dehumanisation, which contributed to the atrocities we have learnt about, repeat themselves.We must ask why we are observing another genocide, why the agnotology of the past has again facilitated ethnic cleansing and dehumanisation. Despite this, we watch on as the University of Monash supports the continued massacres in Gaza and disregards the very real effects of Islamophobia on not just its Palestinian students, nor its Muslim students, but its students, staff, and alumni from the surrounding regions irrespective of ethnicity, nationality, or religion. The historical record will unequivocally demonstrate that the students, staff, and alumni of Monash University not only refrained from ignoring these war crimes but vehemently condemned the ongoing massacre in Palestine. With that being said, the statement sent by Monash University to faculty and students, titled “Israel-Hamas,” on October 17th normalises the Islamophobic discourse which diminishes the concerns and safety of students, staff, and alumni who have a right to be distressed about Palestine in its one-sided framing. The statement explicitly condemns Hamas as attacking and killing Israeli civilians, but does not mention Palestinians, nor who is killing them in Gaza. Who is being impacted by attacks? Are they not humans beings worthy of being named, the same way the statement names the Israeli people? Furthermore, why is the University of Monash especially disturbed about the deaths of Israeli people, which it ought to be, but only concerned regarding the unnamed ‘others’ in Gaza? This language and discourse demonstrates how the situation in Palestine is misrepresented, and the ethnic cleansing made normal. A seventy-five year occupation and colonial project is reduced to a war between Israel and Hamas. Monash’s ahistorical “Israel-Hamas” statement is an affront to Palestinian and Arab students and faculty and those who stand in solidarity with them. Since the attacks on October 7th, Israel has enforced a total blockade of the Gaza strip, cutting off access to electricity, food, water and fuel. This is internationally regarded as collective punishment, which is a war crime under international law. Monash University’s deafening silence on the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people is unacceptable. Staff and students across the faculties feel that Monash’s statement, perceived as biased, has worsened these challenges and contributed to a sense of isolation among these communities. There is a prevailing sentiment that not all students and staff experience the same level of safety and inclusivity at the university. We have seen the consequences of anti-Palestinian rhetoric in the most recent arson attack on the Palestinian-owned restaurant, Burgatory, near Monash’s Caulfield campus. This attack, so close to the campus, emphasizes the responsibility Monash has to ensure they combat rising Islamophobia which not just indiscriminately effects Muslims, but also Arabs, South Asians and individuals from other brown backgrounds. We would like to draw your attention to the tragic destruction of Palestinian universities and educational institutions in Gaza. The Israeli Military has bombed Al-Azhar University in Gaza on two occasions. On the 11th of October Israel bombed the Islamic University of Gaza. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, between the period of 7th October to 5th of November, 432 Gazan students and 14 staff have been killed, and fourteen higher-education buildings have been completely or irreparably destroyed in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank. Furthermore, over 200 schools have been destroyed, forcing the Gaza’s Ministry of education to suspend the school year for 2023-2024. Monash, as an academic institution, must condemn these attacks on international academic institutions as targeted attacks which prevent Palestinians in Gaza from accessing their human right to education. We also push back against Monash’s adoption of the IHRA’s working definition of anti-Semitism. This definition has been widely criticised for conflating criticism of the Israeli state with Antisemitism. In November 2022, 128 scholars specialising in Anti-Semitism and Holocaust studies issued a statement to the United Nations imploring them not to adopt the IHRA definition. They described it as a strategic way to “shield the Israeli government from international criticism.” The controversy surrounding the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism lies in its potential to stifle legitimate criticism of Israel by equating it with antisemitism. Critics argue that the language is vague, inviting interpretations that conflate criticism. We implore our University to revoke its support for this definition, which provides ambiguous usage of the charge of Anti-Semitism to infringe on the academic rights to criticise the occupation of Palestinian people by the state of Israel, which the Australian Government and the international community have recognised in their terming of the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Monash’s embrace of the IHRA definition establishes a deeply troubling precedent, flagrantly compromising fundamental academic freedoms through censorship. This letter echoes the recent motion on Palestine-Israel passed by the Monash Branch of the NTEU, which calls for an immediate ceasefire and de-escalation of violence in the Gaza strip and the occupied West Bank, as well as an immediate end to the siege on Gaza. Similar messages have been issued by Jewish organisations like Jewish Voice for Peace, Jews against Fascism, Jews against the Occupation, Loud Jew Collective, Tzedek Collective, and B’Tselem. We implore Monash University to condemn the horrific violence against Palestinian people by Israel. These actions have been recognised as war crimes by multiple sources. Indeed, they are now acknowledged as genocide under international law by many credible sources such as Amnesty International. The Israeli state is acting with impunity: its actions are endorsed by Australia’s government and the majority of leading voices in our media. When questioned about Israel’s directive to cut off water, food, and fuel supplies to Gaza, Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s statement, “I think it’s always very difficult from over here to make judgments about what security approach other countries take. We’ve said Israel has a right to defend itself,” is a feeble response that falls short of condemning the severity of the war crimes committed by Israel. This inadequate acknowledgment reflects a disturbing reluctance to confront the blatant injustices at play. Gaza has unequivocally been branded an “open-air prison,” and Human Rights Watch categorically identifies Israel as perpetuating an apartheid regime. In the face of these acts of genocidal settler-colonial violence, and to hold our University accountable for upholding its commitment to eliminating discrimination at Monash, we assert the following demands: We demand Monash University to act immediately on the following calls to action: 1. Acknowledge the ethnic cleansing that is occurring in occupied Palestine and issue an official apology for the dangerous misrepresentation presented in Monash’s official “Israel-Hamas” statement. 2. Condemn the racist, settler-colonial violence being waged upon the Palestinians by the state of Israel. This includes condemning the violence committed on institutions of learning and education in Gaza and the West Bank. 3. Monash’s Aerospace Industry Advisory Board must immediately sever its connection to BAE systems. We demand our University to stop its development of weapons technologies which are used to commit war crimes against Palestinian people . Monash should look to RMIT’s recent example of terminating their partnership with Elbit Systems. 4. Immediately rescind its adoption of the IHRA’s working definition of anti-Semitism, which greatly infringes upon our rights as students and staff to exercise our academic freedom in our criticisms of Israel as an occupying state. 5. End Monash’s strategic partnership with the Australian friends of Tel Aviv University, who directly support the apartheid state of Israel and the Israel military. In closing, we invoke our university’s motto, “Ancora Imparo,” the humanist artist Michelangelo’s phrase meaning “I am still learning.” This reminds us that the search for knowledge, truth and justice is an ongoing pursuit. We implore Monash University to seize this moment and stand on the side of humanity. We must stand against Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people. Sincerely, Students, Faculty and Alumni in solidarity with occupied Palestine To sign the letter, click here Staff Signatories Dr Kyle Harvey, Research Officer Elizabeth Luby, Teaching Associate Kenneth Suico, Technical Officer Damien Laing, Teaching Associate Ben Bannan, Teaching Associate Sara Cheikh Husain, Research Assistant Charlie Sofo, Lecturer Ruby Brown , Administration Officer Liang Luscombe, Teaching Associate Shekaiba, Monash connect officer Daniel Horsley, A/Prof Dr Aydogan Kars, Senior Researcher Karissa, PhD Theatre & Performance, Teaching Associate Sarah Ujmaia, Assistant Lecturer and PhD candidate Danni McGrath, Teaching Associate Tasnim Sammak, Assistant Lecturer, PhD Candidate Thao Phan, Research Fellow Sean Dockray, Senior Lecturer Noor Hanim Abd Hali, Research Officer Jacqui Shelton, Teaching associate, PhD Tara Cartwright, Library services officer Elliot Dolan-Evans, Lecturer Faridah Mannasaheb, Casual Note Taker at The Disability Support Services Dr. David Egan, Teaching Associate Dr Kristina Tsoulis-Reay, Teaching Associate Nailah Zaman, Student, Assistant/ HR Officer Selena repanis Teaching associate Bader Rizk , Sessional tutor, Monash alumni and research architect Marina Campanella , Library officer Cassandra Freeman, Liaison Librarian Audrey Chmielewski, Stakeholder Engagement Coordinator Ben Woods, Teaching Associate Helen Hughes, Senior Lecturer Glen Jackson, Strategic Advisor Blair Williams, Lecturer in Australian Politics Ashkan Bahrani, Postdoctoral Research Fellow Giles Fielke, Teaching Associate Dr Carlos Eduardo Morreo, Sessional Academic Hamida Afzali, Advocate Matt Beanland, Administration officer Zohal Rashidzada, Teaching associate Tamsen Hopkinson, Sessional Staff Member Lubna Dakakni , Teaching Associate Tony Williams, Teaching Associate Sary Zananiri , Cultural Heritage Consultant for the Saudi Heritage Commission Manon van Kouswijk, Lecturer Brenna Dempsey, Senior Research Education Officer Alumni Signatories Dr Laresa Kosloff Hannifa Ahmed Chloë Polglaze Prathiga S Tulsi Kavar Melanie Chilianis Tamara Saleh Caitlin Portia Janson Juwita Putri Isobel Hardisty Anne Hilbert Shreya T Bobby Bryx Monica Quick Nancy Abdalla Vanessa Le Kathryn Renowden Sercan Sed Vivien Yii Viva hall Saskia Doherty Kate Thomas Julia Kaddatz Iona Moller Houssam Ben Mansour Nada Khartabil Julia Kanapathippillai Numa Wadhwania Tunisha Nawar Tiara Dealey T H Andrew Le Eleanore Hunter Associate Professor Hakeem Kasem Swathy Santhakumar Dinithi Amarasinghe Simran Rajpal Manju Lahrech Rue McKeagney Vasiliki Franco-Klothos Chan Debris Facility Asmaa Mannasaheb Rohani Osman Maudie Osborne Hafsah Brown Darcy Smith Samah Aishah Chowdhury Tori Hobbs Elyse Walton Joelle Isabelle Volpe Ruby Harvey Anna Cunningham Hanna Hassan Jade Judd Vivian Mascha Moje Tabassum Eleanor Moller Clare Longley Fathima Nisma Mohamed Illyas Ella Jordan Mitchell-Fletcher Melike Yucel Juan Camilo Riano Rodriguez Julia McInerney Fatena Olivia Gardiner Sokeiprim Davies Arundhathi Lekshmi Georgina campbell Camille Heba Abdalla Isabella Venutti Wendy Syfret Patrick Lacey Emma Jamieson Mia Lara chamas Marielle Stratikopoulos Vanessa Meston Aden Miller Hana Tepic Safiyyah Nimatul Ain Dina Kamil Nisat Zaman Shazeea Mohamed Ali Jordan Emily Osborne Bea Rubio-Gabriel Anita Cummins Elken Phoebe Foldvari Ariana Nithya Nagarajan Emily Griffith Iman Mansour Omar Simone Scandrett Husna Siddiqi Ben Lambell Yash Jay Will Sean Budd Lia Morgan Tess Caitlin Woodland Citra Ella Sowinska Rochelle Oh Kim Dominique Scordel Susan Smith Jasmine Iman Malik Phoebe Thorburn Trelawney Edgar Darcy H J. Maria Lammerding Zeynep Kor Student Signatories Anushri Asha Sok Chloe Hawthorne Marc Repse Alesha Faiqah Ella Skuza Rubie Nina Algadrie Sara Saadeldin Bontu Ahmed Aafreen Ansari Gagan Sandhu Jing shi Thisangi Abayaratne Shae San Foreman-Sim Grace Ficinus Isuru Peiris Jade Rohan Singh Sam Wafiyah Haque Afra Kaab Sanjana Chandramohan Thomas Meissner Natasha Kasonsole Sara Hannah Burridge Mina Al-Khafaji Molly Kent Isabelle Foscolos Isabella Mead Manulya Inam Claire Davison Muhammad Ahmed Muhammad Shahid Imran Leeanne Nethmi ranasinghe Saad Aamer Karima Ibrahim Kim Carla Javier Mudassir Preneet Kaur Malak Ababneh Leonie Asawer Almadi Shayaki Niranjan Faseeh Sarah Hafsah Laghmani Shahd Salah Aya Alalyawi Shahifa Yann Kate Beth Holland Ankita Harrison felstead Milo Henna wahdati Eman E. Aboobakuru Rizna Rana Kalida Edwards Raeesah Hayatudin Kareema Fathimath Ana Nazim Rida Shaniya Anna Joseph Hajra Rashid Aafiyah Aaeshah Shiza oad Titin Hajri Grace Kit Message Israa Hafsa Sarwar Adrianna Bella Alaska Dean Radwan Nermin Aljehany Mahdee Islam Madeleine Lyon Samuel Fitton Nethmi. Ranasinghr Lily Black Leala Xu Paige Skye Blackshaw Mohanned Abdallah Mubeenul Azim Irene Mina Youssef Elsawi Bridget McKenzie-McHarg George Elcatsha Chrystalla Anastasi Minuli Matheen Sahana Rudresh Roanne Younes Kalina Chan Josie Deetya’s Kannan Emily Bui Muhammad Abdullah Khan Mecca Setiawan Sonya Goldberg Lauren Aliana Arumwidati Faadhila Ziyad Abdallah Abuaisha Manal Muhammed Llewellyn Baasil Madeline Curkovic Jessy Hansen Anushka Sevda Mohannad Dhileena Basnayake Safwan Aziz Aiyah Farjaad Jeffrey Nathaniel Santrio Rawan Rashed Gustika D. Putri Aine Damaris Packianathan Imogen Davis Raida Mahdia Rosawana Thing Nadia K. Maula Dominique Mohannad Joanne Nguyen Alice C Matt Lazaridis Zakia Aminah Moslimyar Edie Duffy Ali Shaban Leo Bortolotto Henna Tania Mahawattage Garvit Madan Kaya Stavretis Gonzales Michael Charles Heyburn Amna Akram Manal Ajmal Mythrayi Sabrina Ellis Sarah Majella Jones Umar Imran Liz Rutu Luhar Mich Duong Amirah Haque Joseph Saima Emma Batty Aina Mohamed Orabi Kimberley Ngin Kaitlyn Mak Paras Sekhon Tara Hania ali Nadia Jasmine Ye Kevin Kien Josephine Conlan Serena holt Amar Mustafa Javeriya Nadaf Easha Alex Julia Fullard Promita Shabnam Khan Rosie Angel Ho Elisa Kendall Elsie Foeken Maya Yakut Esha Adnan A wesmann Polly Cheng Pritchard Sreelakshmi Arun Mackayli Lee Maryam almufti Laiba Khan Salena Tanveer Mandy Ho Anna Noe Anjalie Almeida Naba Zara Asim Vaishnavi Maganti Haneen Ashmeel Lana Abdelhalim Niken Saraswati Yosra Elnakeeb Sarosh Sayani Neha Nechikkadu Nayef Hammad Armaan Sasini Vidanagama Aria Villero Sabaina abdullah Freya Solnordal Emily Saab Anais Asmaa Hameed Amir khan Rameen Charlotte Pattison Alex Paysen Abdurrahman Beg Shirley Chen Victoria loizides Apriliana Lana Evans Enno Amatullah Maddie Linden-White Stella Patrick Gallagher Kaya Beagley Yuktha Shinde Kareema Korbatieh Stella Deshal Amy Castillo Alia Taylor Abdulbasit Karim Sana Chloe f River Alannah Heba Sowah sayed Mohammed Abdur Rahman Shanaya Carol Holly Hoadley Haneen Ghanayem Mellyn Julia Hania samah newaz Samadi Luca Lana Sinan Manulya Gamage Tayyaba Rakith Jasmin Stoios Nour kandil Poppy Faul Numan Seyit Aarushi Raheja Leon Rice-Whetton Laila Abdulhafez Daniel Siahaan Annerin Amilia Asma Mohamed Illyas Inshaal khan Rafiq Muhammad Rashdan Faiqa Azaar Charli Culliver Ayesha Khan Zainab Darbas Alicia Varkey Jess Silva Venumi sedara Sean Angna Juneja Belinda Dennis Muskaan Monteiro Sabreen Sihana D Allara Mashaal Amber Santino D’Onghia Zali Adams chandi Melanie Ashe Erin Marcelle Yacoub Rumpa Dasgupta Sotir Stojanovic Belinda Gale Grace Saad Khan Steven Rawan Rashed Tesslyn Chan Rola Mikayla Salena Benjamin Geiger Mohammad Rahib Shah Akira Curry Muklesa Ruby Comte Eva Bainbridge Siddharth Tiwari Image: Ahmad Ali Barakat Monash Staff, Students and Alumni for Palestine More by Monash Staff, Students and Alumni for Palestine › Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of supporting writers, and publishing ideas and voices often excluded from other places. 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