Dear President Rhonda Lenton,

We, the undersigned undergraduate and graduate students at York University, hereby wish to strongly condemn the recent statement of “Solidarity with Palestine”, as jointly issued and published on October 12th, 2023 by three distinct unions: the York Federation of Students (YFS), York University Graduate Student Association (YUGSA), and the Glendon College Student Union (GCSU).

It is of utmost importance for us to clarify that the views articulated in the statement exclusively reflect the personal opinions of the union executives and do not, by any means, represent our collective stance or the diverse opinions held by numerous students from varying backgrounds. Our commitment, as students, resides firmly within the principles of peace, justice, and the safeguarding of civilians in all global conflicts.

We firmly stand against all manifestations of violation of the rights and safety of civilians, irrespective of their nationality or ethnicity. We firmly believe that endorsing a recognized terrorist organization and justifying acts of violence against innocent civilians is intolerable and contrary to our principles and values.

Considering the above, we respectfully request the President's office to hold these groups accountable for their actions and take necessary measures against those responsible for any acts of violence or discrimination.

Sincerely,

Undersigned students of York University