We, the undersigned members of the Grand Valley State University community, along with concerned citizens from across the nation and the world, are writing to express our deep concern and outrage over the ongoing attacks on civilians in Gaza, the grave humanitarian crisis, and the apparent disregard for human rights, particularly those of innocent children, women, and the elderly, in the Gaza Strip. We call upon Grand Valley State University to take a principled stance against these atrocities and join the international call for an immediate ceasefire as well as to release a public statement condemning Israeli’s inhumane bombardment.

The recent attacks on Gaza, which have been characterized as "carpet bombing" tactics, have led to a catastrophic loss of life and the destruction of vital infrastructure. We are appalled that our tax money, as American citizens, is directly supporting these actions through military aid provided to Israel, and that such aid may be enabling the very devastation we decry.

As of November 6, the United Nations Secretary-General has referred to Gaza as a "Graveyard for Children," with a death toll exceeding 12,000. Horrifically, almost 5,000 of the victims are children, and an alarming 70% of the casualties are women, children, and elderly civilians. These statistics are not just a violation of international law; they are an affront to basic human rights. The world is witnessing an unprecedented crisis in Gaza, and the scale of human suffering demands an immediate response. In addition to that, as of last week, all 11 universities in Gaza have been targeted and severely damaged, thus depriving 88,000+ students their right to education. This is not just an attack on buildings, but an assault on the right to education for future generations–which goes against GVSU’s values.

Grand Valley State University has a proud tradition of standing for justice, equality, and human rights. We believe it is incumbent upon our university to use its influence to condemn these actions publicly and unequivocally. By doing so, GVSU can send a powerful message that we, as an institution, stand against any form of violence, oppression, and the violation of human rights.

We, the signatories of this petition, respectfully urge the administration of Grand Valley State University to take this crucial step towards justice and peace. We call upon the university to release a statement condemning Israel's attacks on Gaza civilians and to demand an immediate ceasefire. We also urge GVSU to call for the entry of life-saving humanitarian aid into Gaza and to advocate for United Nations protection for the 2.3 million Palestinian civilians trapped under siege by Israel in Gaza.

The time to act is now. We cannot remain silent in the face of such suffering and devastation. We implore Grand Valley State University to be a beacon of justice, to uphold the values of humanity, and to use its influence for the greater good of the world.