Anagha Sreevals - October 26th, 2023

Email GMU using an automated email (everything filled out already) by copying and pasting this link: mailxto.com/nkfgwlhi8a

Statement on Israel’s Occupation and Genocide of Palestinians

Email template 

 

Following Hamas’ actions on October 7th, 2023, the Israeli apartheid state and its relentless aggression have tragically claimed the lives of over 5,000 Palestinian civilians and left over 15,000 injured, with a devastating portion of the casualties being children. The Israeli government’s continuous destruction of homes, infrastructure, and numerous public and private spaces has massively displaced Palestinians in the region.

In addition to internal displacement of Palestinians, the Israeli occupation has created an unparalleled blockade on the Gaza Strip - where there are currently 2.2 million Palestinians. By stopping the entry of food, cutting off water and electricity supplies, restricting movement throughout the region, and dropping airstrikes, countless Palestinian civilians are dying and experiencing a total collapse of their healthcare system.

There have been many calls for actions to intervene in this humanitarian crisis, including a ceasefire, border openings, and long-term plans for investigations into Israel’s regime to hold them accountable for their crimes.

As a George Mason Alum, I am disappointed and disheartened by GMU’s actions (or lack thereof) during this war against Palestinians. I am calling for GMU’s leadership and administration to take the following actions:

1. Divest from any weapons’ manufacturers and organizations that arm and support Israel’s genocide in Gaza and Palestine.
2. Release a written statement ensuring that students’ free speech rights are protected within the Mason community (and beyond) and that these students will not face retaliation for supporting liberation of oppressed peoples.
3. Provide mental health resources for directly impacted students and ensure students are protected from discrimination and hate speech/crimes.
4. Deliver a new statement by university leadership and the aforementioned departments acknowledging the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

I have included my full statement (linked at the top) that I have sent to GMU’s leadership and administration, as well as a linked template that you can use to email and/or share with others. Even if you are not specifically a GMU student or alum, you can use the template to address your own university’s response to the current crisis.

If you agree with the demands above, I urge you to send an email to GMU’s leadership and administration: 

President Gregory Washington - Office of the President: president@gmu.edu

Dr. Mark Ginsberg - Provost: gmuprov@gmu.edu 

Dr. Alpaslan Özerdem - Carter School Dean: aozerdem@gmu.edu & carter@gmu.edu 

Dr. Mark Rozell - Schar School Dean: mrozell@gmu.edu & schar@gmu.edu 

Dr. Zofia Burr - Honors College Dean: zburr@gmu.edu & honors@gmu.edu 

Dr. Ann L. Ardis - College of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean: chss@gmu.edu