University of Tennessee students hold vigil for Palestine to demand divestment from university

A solemn student vigil in support of Palestine on the University of Tennessee campus on May 1 contrasts with images of police demolishing encampments on other campuses across America.

Like their peers on other campuses, Students for Justice in Palestine called on Knoxville campus leaders to disclose and divest from any Israel-related investments.

“It’s really difficult to know that the money you make and the money you spend is going to oppress the Palestinian people. And the United States, as well as the University of Tennessee, should have no part in any of this “, he added. ” said Hamzah Saleh, co-founder of Students for Justice in Palestine, to a crowd of around 100 people.

Saleh and the group also asked UT leaders to cancel a study trip to Israel.

The advocates said they rallied for peace, awareness and solidarity with the Palestinian people trapped in the war between Israel and Hamas. Hamas launched a surprise attack from Gaza on October 7. The attackers killed more than 1,100 people, mostly civilians, and took around 205 people hostage. Some people targeted by the attacks accuse Hamas fighters of raping and sexually assaulting some Israelis.

Israel launched a massive counterattack that cost more than 34,500 Palestinian lives, Gaza’s health ministry told Reuters on April 30. Palestinian health officials say two-thirds of those killed were women and children.

“Today, all students are coming together to show the University of Tennessee that as students, we do not support any foreign investment for the State of Israel, or anything that could contribute to facilitating the apartheid imposed on Palestinian people, and that they must disclose the investments to the students here and to the community here so that we can ensure that they correspond to our core values ​​as an institution. said Saleh.

“It’s not only our right to know, it’s also the administration’s responsibility.”

College campuses have been hotspots of activism marked by encampments and protests demanding an end to the war between Israel and Hamas and often divestment from Israel. Columbia University made national headlines, particularly after police raided a building occupied by students on April 30.

What is Students for Justice in Palestine and what are their demands?

UT recognized Students for Justice in Palestine as an organization in January, Saleh told Knox News. The group organizes events to educate students about Palestine and its history.

“Our main goal is not protest. Many times our voices are not heard, but our number one goal is to educate our fellow students,” Saleh said.

The group published a list of demands on Instagram on April 30, including a call for transparency on investments and donations, divestment of endowments from companies directly or indirectly involved in wars or conflicts, cancellation of the study abroad in Israel and the rejection of threats. to freedom of expression.

Keenan Thomas is a higher education journalist. Email Keanan.thomas@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter @specialk2real.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: University of Tennessee students hold vigil for Palestine