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KU Student Senate Officially Recognizes Genocide Against Palestinians

A Resolution to Recognize the Ongoing Genocide in Palestine is passed by the Student Senate in a vote of 35-5.

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Photo of Pro-Palestinan encampment in front of Fraiser Hall
Pro-Palestinan encampment in front of Fraser Hall - Photo Credit: August Rudisel / Lawrence Times

Written by Jack Shaw Edited by Sasha

A resolution proposed by Jewish Students for People’s Liberation (JSPL), KU Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), and the KU chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA), titled “A Resolution to Recognize the Ongoing Genocide in Palestine”, has passed through KU’s student senate with a vote of 34 in favor, 5 opposed, and 7 abstaining. It has now been sent to the desk of Student Senate president DaNae Estabine for her to sign, veto, or passively allow to go into effect.

The proceedings were livestreamed to the Student Senate YouTube Channel in two parts.

Representatives from JSPL, SJP, and YDSA spoke on behalf of the resolution, comparing the student response to the ongoing Israeli violence to organization against South African apartheid. They also emphasized the exceptional, intentional, deliberate, disproportionate nature of violence by the Israeli state.

Among other parties, the resolution is being delivered to Chancellor Douglas Girod, Provost Barbara Bichelmeyer, and the University Daily Kansan.

There is now hope that KU may take institutional action to own up to its institutional role in aiding and abetting the ongoing genocide in Palestine.

Disclose, Divest, Demilitarize, Protect. Solidarity, and Free Palestine.

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