This week in the Student Senate: A chair proposed a bill “calling for the condemnation of antisemitic attacks conducted against the Israeli people by Hamas militants” during Wednesday’s meeting.
Many students attended this week’s Senate meeting, anticipating a discussion on the bill.
“This bill is not endorsing the Netanyahu government’s treatment of the Palestinian people in Gaza,” the Chair said. “Nor is this in opposition to Palestinian Liberation. There may be some disagreements but I am glad to have this conversation together.”
A speaker from the Muslim Student Association spoke to the Senate.
“This involves the killing of all people, not only the Israelites, but also the Palestinians,” MSA Student 1 said. “It is great to know as students and educators the underlying cause of any human violation.”
The MSA does not feel supported by the University. President Parlange’s statement on Israel failed to acknowledge the illegal occupation of Palestine, according to critics from the MSA.
“Palestine has been an open air prison since 2007,” MSA student 1 said. “Palestinians get limited food, water, resources, medical care and cannot leave or enter Gaza. Everyone has the freedom of movement yet Palestinians do not and we must have that.”
She suggested that the URI community look at the causes and longevity of the terrorist attacks that happened.
“This has been going on for years, along with protests,” she said. “The Israeli government has been killing the Palestinians for the past 75 years, and no one has said anything at all.”
MSA Student 1 proposed a collaborative resolution that represents the whole University.
Another chairperson on the Student Senate mentioned that anyone can write a bill, and the Senate is happy to collaborate to find a resolution.
Another student spoke to the Senate.
“Hamas’s attack was not an antisemitic attack,” Student 2 said. “Whether you view their attack as right or wrong, that is completely up to you.”
The chairperson who proposed the bill interrupted by saying that “Hamas is explicitly antisemitic.”
Student 2 was not able to finish her statement before the Senate went into an indefinite recess.
The second chairperson commenced the continuation of the meeting.
“Whether we agree with what is being said, I would allow people to finish their thoughts,” he said.
“The attack is a response to an illegal and inhumane oppression,” Student 2 said. “Palestinians have been murdered for years with no acknowledgement.”
Student 2 believes the majority of people are consuming Western views on Palestine. Information on the full history is not being discussed, she argues.
Another senator motioned a strike of the bill indefinitely.
“This is not meant to take away from any of the discourse that we had today,” Senator 3 said. “I am very happy that we were able to hear the different points of view. I motioned to strike the bill down so that we could include these points of view.”
The Senate voted on the strike of the bill with 14 in favor and 11 opposed.
“We can strike this bill out and alter it to fit everybody’s needs, and then introduce it on the floor next week or after,” Senator 1 added.
The Senate will meet next Wednesday, Oct. 18.
*DISCLAIMER: The names of students were kept anonymous for safety and security reasons.*