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INSAF describes offer as “laughable”; a “joke”

On Monday evening, the University of Ottawa sent an updated proposal to encampment organizers — including INSAF (Arabic translation: justice or equity) and the Palestinian Student’s Association (PSA) — who described the counter-offer as “laughable” and a “joke” via Instagram.

The pro-Palestinian encampment on Tabaret Lawn was erected on April 30, one day after a sit-in was organized by groups including INSAF and the PSA. The U of O sent their first proposal to the student groups on May 27, which INSAF president Sumayya Kheireddine labelled “unsatisfactory”. The absence of an agreement means the encampment will presumably remain for the foreseeable future.

The newest offer included multiple changes from INSAF’s revision sent to the U of O, which include the deletion of a passage which calls for divestment from companies involved in Israel’s occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, or that “contribute to violent acts that target civilians.”

“We are beyond disappointed at the offer sent to us today,” organizers responded to administration. “To debate the merits of this offer would be a waste of time to both parties. Last week, we spent over an hour making ourselves clear and little came from it. Once you have found a solution that is more akin to our demands, we will be willing to engage in further discussion rather than waste our breath yet again. We await the revised offer.”

The university’s proposal includes a 36-hour deadline to clear the encampment out, “and going forward, there will be no disruptions or promotion of disruption at any University premises or at any University events and activities, including convocation.”

In their Instagram post, organizers describe the passage as a “clause to silence students” and “very disturbing”. The post also asks “who in Canada would forfeit their right to protest and free speech?” 

Sources close to the negotiations tell the Fulcrum that no follow up meeting between administration and organizers has been set.

Across the province, some encampments have accepted proposals from university administrations and cleared out. These include Ontario Tech (May 21) and McMaster (May 25).

Other encampments remain. On May 27, the University of Toronto filed for a court injunction to remove the encampment occurring on their campus a week after serving participants with trespass notices.

And at Western University, encampment organizers rejected what they deemed a “contradictory and incoherent” offer from university president Alan Shepard last week.