Students for Justice in Palestine chapter demands apology after University defends anti-semetism acquisition
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is under heat as a student received threats online due to a cultural presentation she put together under her position as a multicultural advocate. Contents of the presentation have lead to “anti-semestic” accusations and protests on campus.
Dunia Ghanimah, senior at UIUC, presented a powerpoint called “Palestine and Great Return March: Palestinian resistence to 70 years of Israeli Terror” in early October to campus residents, staff and resident advisors. The powerpoint presentation contained a brief history of the conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis. It also contained a slide on the difference between antisemitism and anti zionism; alongside definitions of words often used in discussion of the conflict.
Ghanimah said a student who attended the presentation filed a bias intolerance report against the lecture. The report went viral on social media and eventually reached the desk of Governor JB Prtizker.
Governor Prtizker condemned the presentation, and in following, University Chancellor Robert Jones sent out a mass email to the campus body denouncing it as well.
“Concerns were raised about a recent presentation with anti-Semitic content at a staff development program by a Housing student-worker. Housing staff have been meeting individually with all who were present to understand fully the presentation and the nature of the conversations that followed,” the email read. “I apologize to all of our students and to our community. This university promises an experience that prepares students to live, work and lead in a multicultural, diverse and international society. We did not live up to our obligations in this case. We are taking immediate action to ensure that, going forward, our programs and initiatives position our students for success,” Jones continued in the email.
The email also included that the University is implementing anti-Semetism training “For all full-time Housing staff, Resident Advisors and Multicultural Advocates.”
“I want to assure all of our students, staff, faculty and community that we are fully conscious of the seriousness of incidents of anti-Semitism, racism, bias and prejudice on this university. We will continue to track, investigate and address incidents swiftly,” the Chanslor added.
Ghamnimah told Palestine in America that she had a meeting with the Chanslor after the mass email was sent out. Ghamnimah stated that Jones privately admitted to her he “could not point out anti-Semitism” in the presentation.
“The pressure to release a statement lead him to write multiple paragraphs and denouncing the presentation… this is a way to silence Palestinain voices on campus,” Ghanimah said.
Palestine in America reached out to Chanslor Jones for comment, but never received a response.
Since the presentation, Ghanimah said she has been harassed, and continues to receive threats on social media toward her life. One threat read “I am going to rape you until you stop talking about Palestine.” Ghanimah reached out to the university for refuge but said administrators “ignored the harassment.”
Protests took place following the University email. The University chapter, Students for Justice in Palestine is currently working on a statement with the student government association that will also be sent to the entire campus body, in the upcoming weeks.
Photos by Students for Justice in Palestine:
