The week following spring break, anti-Zionist activists across the United States, including Vassar’s student organization Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), recognized Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW).
IAW is an annual international period of activism. This year, SJP sponsored four different events, including a screening of the 2021 documentary “Boycott,” in partnership with the Hudson Valley chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace. The film explores concepts of American free speech through three lawsuits against anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) laws. SJP also tabled in the College Center on Tuesday and Thursday following spring break. One member of the organization, who wished to remain anonymous, commented, “Tabling consisted of distributing articles and other literature about various topics relating to Palestinian liberation, such as the murder of a Palestinian journalist last year, illegal Israeli prisons, US aid to the Israeli military and other significant facts and figures.” She further noted that tabling functions not only as a means of public education, but also as a way to maintain a visible presence on campus.
Finally, SJP held a teach-in on Friday, March 24. “The Israeli Apartheid teach-in, which boasted impressive attendance, was an opportunity for students to learn about the history of Zionist occupation, the subsequent expulsion of Palestinians from their native land, and the Israeli crimes of apartheid recognized by the UN, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch,” the student wrote. She expressed her satisfaction with student involvement during this year’s IAW, mentioning that student voices carry great responsibility in generating change. She concluded, “The South African anti-apartheid movement took protests, action, and advocacy from all over the world in order to be successful. We believe that with the same commitment, Palestine will be free.”
In an email correspondence, Associate Dean for Campus Activities Dennis Macheska wrote on behalf of the Campus Activities Office: “Campus Activities works closely with all student orgs to ensure that their events are executed safely and successfully. In the event that a program is deemed to be potentially controversial, Campus Activities and Campus Safety partner with student leaders sponsoring the event to ensure that dialogue is respectful, safeguards are in place for peaceful debate, and discrimination of any form is not acceptable.” He additionally commented that SJP complied with all procedures and expectations from both VSA and the College: “Additionally, some of the Jewish student leadership of SJP met with Rabbi Bryan and other Jewish professionals and students prior to Israeli Apartheid Week.”
Vassar’s SJP is dedicated to promoting Palestinian rights through on-campus activism, a second member of the organization, who also wanted to remain anonymous, expressed in a written correspondence. “We understand that Palestinians are living in a state of apartheid and under military occupation of the Israeli government,” they stated. They explained that the organization responds to on-the-ground calls from Palestinians seeking university divestment from Israeli apartheid, in addition to demonstrating general solidarity for Palestine. As a fairly small student organization, SJP functions on a non-hierarchical basis, with volunteer work as its central mission. “Although we are small, all of our members are dedicated to the goals of SJP and the Palestinian liberation movement at large,” they emphasized. A third student, also anonymous, further contributed: “Our goal during Apartheid Week (and throughout the year) is to amplify the voices of Palestinians and educate the Vassar community on ways in which Vassar is economically complicit in apartheid.”
All three members of the Vassar SJP who are quoted in the article wish to remain anonymous. Tells a reader everything they need to know about the membership of the Vassar SJP, they are cowards.