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Faculty 4 Palestine members support protest with time, teaching, and donations

Two weeks ago today, a sit-in organized by INSAF (Arabic translation: justice or equity) and the Palestinian Students Association (PSA) began on Tabaret Lawn. The sit-in was organized to support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where over 35,000 have been killed by the Israeli Defence Forces after they began waging war on the region following the Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7.

The sit-in quickly turned into an encampment which has seen dozens of tents and shelters erected. Now entering its third week, organizer negotiations with the university about divestment from corporations linked to Israel have resumed.

Organizers had initially met with Awad Ebrahim, Vice Provost of Equity Diversity and Inclusive Excellence, and Éric Bercier, Associate Vice-President of Student Affairs on May 7, but these negotiations fell through due to a refusal to reduce the size of the encampment.

Today, representatives from INSAF and the PSA , along with members from University of Ottawa’s Student Union met with U of O Board of Governors secretary-general Annick Bergeon at 11:30 a.m.

In a statement sent to the Fulcrum by university spokesperson Jesse Robichaud, the purpose of the meeting was to “listen and establish parameters around future discussions.”

It continued to describe the university’s priority as upholding the “students, professors, and staff[‘s rights’] to be safe and respected,” and that “[i]ncitement to violence, threats, harassment, intimidation, damage or occupation of buildings will carry consequences.”

INSAF representatives note a more “substantive” meeting has been scheduled with chief investment officer Francois Dionne for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15.

The Palestinian Youth Movement called for faculty member’s participation in a “rally for divestment” to occur today, as the protest entered its third week. Members from Faculty 4 Palestine (F4P) answered the call, showing support throughout the day.

At around 2:15 p.m., protesters built a structure out of lumber to display the names of young children killed in Gaza.

The afternoon continued with speeches from faculty members. The first professor to speak was Nadia Abu-Zahra, an associate professor at U of O‘s School of International Development and Global Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences.

Abu-Zahra, who has conducted research in Palestine since 1997, spoke about “the role of post-secondary education institutions in an age of genocide,” and answered questions from the crowd.

Next, associate Carleton law professor Atiya Husain spoke about religion, colonialism and Islam. “[Gaza genocide] is religious, but not in the way liberals think. It’s religious because colonization is religious,” said Husain.

“One thing this encampment is doing is sending that message, that you cannot behave any way that you like, that you cannot kill, and bomb, and starve as [Israel is], without consequences,” she continued. “So I’m very proud to be here as a faculty member. I am happy to join this movement that students are leading,” finished Husain, before thanking the crowd.

Finally, protesters heard from Saint-Paul University Faculty of Theology Dean Michel Andraos. Following the speech, U of O staff expressed their support of protesters by talking with attendees and posing in front of the encampment with their arms interlinked.

Bianca McKeown and Olivia Grandy reported for University Affairs earlier in the day that faculty members had donated a second portable toilet to the encampment, along with consistent food donations.

• With files from Daniel Jones