On May 3rd, 2024, the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) and the University of Kansas Health System (TUKHS) are hosting an anti-Palestinian and anti-Jewish event. The Jewish Community Relations Bureau (JCRB), a partner of the American Jewish Committee (AJC), is scheduled to present under the guise of combatting antisemitism. A presentation on antisemitism is vital, however, one where anti-Zionism is equated to anti-semitism is harmful both to the Jewish and Palestinian communities at KUMC and TUKHS.

The speakers believe the Palestinian people are not undergoing genocide, despite the International Court of Justice’s preliminary ruling in January of 2024 [2]. Verbalizing the fact there is a genocide occurring is considered antisemitic by the JCRB|AJC [3]. Over 800 genocide scholars have stated that Israel’s actions in Gaza constitute genocide–leaving no room for opinion on the matter [4]. 

In the JCRB|AJC’s perspective, simply stating Palestine is occupied is antisemitic. Saying Palestinians were ethnically cleansed is antisemitic. Commenting the Palestinian flag on social media is antisemitic. Boycotting is antisemitic. Criticizing Israel’s carpet bombing of Gaza is antisemitic. Attending protests to oppose genocide is antisemitic and, furthermore, brands you as a “terrorist sympathizer.” The JCRB|AJC’s definition of antisemitism aims to conflate any attempt to advocate for Palestinian lives as antisemitic [3].

According to the JCRB|AJC, “the Israeli army is undertaking unprecedented efforts to warn civilians and avoid civilian casualties in this war and putting their own army at risk" [3]. Over 34,000 people have been brutally slaughtered by the Israeli military, Gaza is on the verge of famine, and Palestinians across the world are being villainized.

Not only do they deny the genocide and silence activists, but they are also in support of further bloodshed. The AJC is in support of invading Rafah, stating “Rafah is one of the last strongholds for Hamas terrorists. A campaign in Rafah is essential to destroying Hamas’ and other terrorist groups' military capabilities" [5]. Rafah was identified as the “safe zone” by the Israeli military. There are now an estimated 1.5 million displaced Palestinians sheltering in Rafah, including more than 600,000 children [1].

The damage of equating Zionism with Judaism is especially deleterious to Jewish communities. It conflates the illegal and inhumane crimes of Israel: the occupation, apartheid, and genocide of Palestinians–to the Jewish community. As a result of this misinformation, antisemitism rises and Jews are wrongfully targeted for the crimes of Israel [6].

Openly welcoming an organization that slanders your students and employees in an attempt to silence them sets a negative precedent. Especially when the JCRB|AJC openly promotes misinformation, genocide, and injustice. Throughout the past seven months, the University of Kansas Medical Center and the University of Kansas Health System have made their position clear: Palestinian lives do not matter. Refusing to acknowledge a genocide and promoting the criminalization of advocacy is intolerable. Enough is enough. Given the gravity of the implications of this false narrative, such an event should not happen on our campus for the safety of both Jews and Palestinians. We demand this event be canceled on the basis of humanity and protecting the voices of students and employees.

Sign this petition if you believe in what is stated above and contact the organizers listed below regarding canceling the event.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office–

Ph: 913-588-3319 Email: kumcdei@kumc.edu

Twitter–

@KUMedCenter @KUHospital @kumcdei

Instagram–

@kumedcenter @kuhospital @kumcdei

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References

1. Al Jazeera. (2024, February 24). Photos: Palestinians cling to life in Gaza’s rafah. https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2024/2/24/palestinians-cling-to-life-in-rafah-as-israel-threatens-gazas-last-refuge
2. INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE. (2024, January 26). Summary of the order of 26 january 2024. Summary of the Order of 26 January 2024 | INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE. https://www.icj-cij.org/node/203454 
3. JCRB|AJC. (2023). Understanding Antisemitism in this Current Moment. Retrieved from https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/component-page?action=viewdetailpage&sharelevel=meeting&useWhichPasswd=meeting&clusterId=us02&componentName=need-password&meetingId=1rMc9ayrGHDaZd6N1XT7f4SmHHlrboqZU9nuEr2kVe1ESOD911r22AbphmY-Xf0k.NKOnBTCujr7NfjuA&originRequestUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fus02web.zoom.us%2Frec%2Fshare%2Frcr20Q-KpQDE1PUF6FHOwVcAn3zocets3Rab0Lb-Dsz0lYfWYK5m1cGGr7R6MRR6.zAlRyD3rI9gcztB9 Passcode: r.7q!+3N
4. Johnson, J. (2023, October 28). 800+ legal scholars say Israel may be perpetrating “crime of genocide” in Gaza. Common Dreams. https://www.commondreams.org/news/legal-scholars-israel-genocide#:~:text=More%20than%20800%20scholars%20of,devastation%20on%20the%20occupied%20territory
5. What to know about Israel’s proposed efforts in Rafah to rescue hostages and dismantle Hamas. AJC. (2024, April 9). https://www.ajc.org/news/what-to-know-about-israels-proposed-efforts-in-rafah-to-rescue-hostages-and-dismantle-hamas#:~:text=Rafah%20is%20one%20of%20the,tunnels%20between%20Egypt%20and%20Gaza 
6. Winter, A. (2023, December 19). Opinion: The far right is exploiting fears of antisemitism. openDemocracy. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/israel-palestine-gaza-antisemitism-anti-zionism-fears-far-right-aaron-winter/