BREAKING: Members of the Cornell Graduate Students United have just voted overwhelmingly to support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement aimed at advocating for Palestinian rights. The results of this pivotal vote were announced on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, following a three-day voting period that concluded on Tuesday.
This urgent decision signals a significant shift in the campus narrative regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The union asserts that Cornell University is complicit in human rights abuses against Palestinians through its research affiliations and ties to the weapons industry, an assertion that has fueled intense debates on campus.
The resolution allows the union to join a larger coalition focused on addressing what they describe as “the genocide in Palestine.” A statement from the union emphasized, “Cornell is implicated in the Israeli genocide of Palestinians through research, recruitment, and financial ties with the weapons industry.” This bold claim positions the union as an active participant in the global movement for Palestinian liberation.
The BDS movement, established nearly 20 years ago, aims to hold Israel accountable for its actions against Palestinians by urging individuals and corporations to cease business dealings with Israeli entities involved in the occupation. The Cornell union’s commitment to BDS seeks to align with a historical precedent, reminiscent of the non-violent actions that dismantled Apartheid in South Africa.
The union’s statement further highlights the historical context of Cornell’s financial practices, stating, “This institution built its endowment from the sale of stolen indigenous land.” The Ithaca campus is located on the traditional lands of the Cayuga Nation, a Native American tribe, which adds another layer to the urgency of their claims.
Shocking figures reveal that the US has provided at least $12.5 billion in direct military aid to Israel since 2023, a staggering amount that the union argues has contributed to systemic oppression. They assert that the interests of working-class individuals are intertwined with the struggle for Palestinian rights, stating that the “ruling class” is complicit in eroding their own rights while financing “Israel’s genocidal project.”
Moreover, the graduate student union plans to implement “Funding Transparency” initiatives for assistantships, supporting members who decline funding linked to military contractors. They also intend to advocate for graduate workers who have faced disciplinary action for their pro-Palestinian activism, emphasizing a commitment to protecting free speech.
As protests supporting Palestine continue to emerge across Cornell University, this decisive vote could amplify student activism and influence future university policies regarding foreign partnerships. The university has previously faced backlash, including threats of funding freezes from the Trump administration over its research funding practices.
The implications of this resolution are profound, potentially reshaping how universities engage with issues of social justice, accountability, and international relations. With the situation evolving rapidly, all eyes will be on how Cornell responds to this significant step taken by its graduate student body.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
