It is with a heavy heart that we, as students of Daystar University, present this plea. I have always taken pride in my educational institution, appreciating its emphasis on servant leadership and humanitarian efforts inspired by the life of Jesus of Nazareth, a Palestinian who suffered under oppressive Zionist ideologies. The recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Daystar University and the Israeli embassy in Kenya, which plans to establish a 'Zion Forest', flies in the face of these principles. This partnership indirectly endorses the ongoing conflict and human rights violations inflicted upon the Palestinian people by the Israeli state. This painful reality shakes the very foundation of our values as an institution advocating for humanity, human rights, and international law. 

Since 1948, Palestinians have experienced the brutal realities of apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and countless acts of violence, leading to more than 5.6 million refugees (UNRWA, 2020). The Israeli state is responsible for these inhumane acts driven by their Zionist ideology. Associating Daystar University with this oppression, even indirectly, is unacceptable.

The motto of Daystar University promises a commitment to servant leadership, a path followed faithfully by Jesus of Nazareth, a Palestinian. By aligning with a state guilty of oppressing the very people of the land Jesus hailed from, the University contradicts its own tenets. This MOU abandons our spiritual and ethical commitment on the international stage.

In response to these egregious contradictions, we must take a stand. Cancel the MOU between Daystar University and the Israeli Embassy and commit to upholding our institution's values rooted in humanitarian, human rights, and international law. I ask you, as dedicated disciples of human dignity, to sign this petition and ensure our University practices what it preaches. Let's remind the world that Daystar University remains committed to its mantra.