Row over universities hosting Israeli Defence Force soldiers
Students for Justice and Palestine (SJP) oppose Victoria University hosting Israeli Defence Force solders, who
participated in war crimes in Gaza. The soldiers are touring the world as part of the Israeli government’s attempt to
justify Operation Protective Edge and other massacres and attacks on Gaza since 2007.
In July 2014, Israel invaded the Gaza Strip in a military operation it called Operation Protective Edge. Israel killed
2,194 people in 51 days, 1,523 of them civilians. The international community, including New Zealand, condemned the
targeting of civilian areas in Gaza.
The United Nations stated that Israeli heavy artillery and mortars were not designed to for specific military targets
and so their use “may amount to a war crime”.
“These people are representing the Israeli state,” states Victoria student Ian Anderson. “Victoria University should not
be a party to this. There is no neutral position on atrocities.”
The University of Canterbury Political Science Society decided not to host the touring IDF soldiers, who were part of
Operation Protective Edge.
"Ambulances, journalists and UN schools were targeted. Over 500 children were killed, many more were maimed,” Lois
Griffiths, spokesperson for Canterbury Justice for Palestine stated. “Why would a University want to legitimize the
actions of IDF by giving their soldiers a platform?"
Despite decades of international diplomacy, Israeli occupation, violence and expansionism continue. Palestinians have
accordingly called for non-violent Boycott, Disinvestment and Sanctions (BDS) to force Israel to comply with
international law.
"Palestinians in NZ are horrified that Israeli soldiers who have killed 500 children in Gaza in 2014 are touring our NZ
universities publicly justifying it," explained Billy Hania from the Palestine Solidarity Network (Auckland).
The event is planned for Tuesday the 29th of September, Victoria University Memorial Theatre at 8.30 pm. SJP are calling
for Victoria University to cancel the booking, and will picket the event if it goes ahead.
ENDS