85.5 per cent in favour, 10.6 per cent against, and 3.9 per cent abstain
The University of Ottawa Student’s Union (UOSU) passed a motion in support of Palestine at the Winter General Assembly on Mar. 10. Motion C (and Agenda item 9.3) passed 306 students (85.5 per cent) voted in favour, while 38 (10.6 per cent) voted against and 14 abstained (3.9 per cent).
The motion, written by S. Kheireddine and seconded by S. Odeh, recognized Israel as a settler-colonial apartheid state and moved that UOSU create a Palestinian Advisory Caucus (PAC) which would be composed of “one (1) Executive, one (1) Board member, and open to Palestinian members of the organization”.
The motion additionally moves that the PAC will “author a statement re-affirming the UOSU’s solidarity with Palestinian students every year on Nakba Day” which is on May 15.
As well, the motion additionally outlines UOSU’s divestment from purchasing products “that are complicit in the occupation of Palestinian territory within itself and its services [Pivik] as soon as legally possible”.
Sumayya Kheireddine, president of Integrity Not Spite Against Falestine UOttawa (INSAF), spoke with the Fulcrum following the meeting’s adjournment: “I am very very happy to see the students made the right choice. We asked them to stand on the right side of history and I think that’s what we did. This is a fight against a whole settler colonial regime, it’s not just Israel, we have our Indigenous allies at the University taking a stand against settler colonialism, is something that is important. It’s practical but also very simple.”
The vote came after significant debate, which touched on the place (or lack thereof) of Jewish students on the proposed caucus, which is specifically open to undergraduate Palestinian students.
Touching on the debate that proceeded the motion’s approval, Kheireddine said: “I think there were valid concerns to bring up and I understand that everyone has the right to feel a certain way. We never meant to diminish anyone’s voice. We simply wanted to amplify ours and make sure we’re being heard.”
An amendment to change the language in the motion from “anti-semitism” to “antisemitism” was declared friendly and adopted.
An amendment was moved by Daniel Vorotyntsev regarding the divestment line of the motion, suggesting that Kosher products might become less accessible on campus.
Many students argued against the amendment, feeling as though it was a distraction from the true intention of the motion.
Former UOSU Advocacy commissioner Maisy Elspeth spoke on the importance of ensuring Kosher foods are provided to students through services like PIVIK, but found the amendment to be a distraction from the spirit of the motion, and included that ensuring the needs of religious minorities on campus is a broader equity issue.
The amendment to the motion failed. Debate returned to the main motion.
After the amendment and further discussion from students who were in favour of the motion, the voting began. With one of the highest vote turnouts of the WGA, the motion passed.
Following the motions passing some in-person attendees participated in pro-Palestine chants. The chair reminded participants of the rules of decorum and gave a final reminder of the active listening services being offered on the 2nd floor of UCU.
Editors Note: This article was edited on 13/03/2024 at 2:01 p.m. Questions about the changes can be sent by email to [email protected].
