Post by James on Jan 28, 2009 6:40:09 GMT -5
Before this goes any further I would like to state that I am a supporter of the left wing, the Palestinian cause and the causes of those struggling against oppressors around the world. My issues are with the current actions of occupation and the manifesto's being issued by the groups who have taken select buildings around the UK. Please also note I am posting this because I believe in the idea of informed political debate. I am aware that the politics degree I am studying is not being taken at such a prestigious establishment as many of the universities who are being occupied (Cambs, Oxford, LSE, Leeds, Queen Mary etc) but I still believe it is worth something.
For this writing I will use the example of Leeds Uni as it is my closest occupied university.
As stated on the leedsunioccupation.blogspot.com the demands upon the university are as follows;
-Open the books to show which companies that back the Israeli state the Uni is investing in and/or receiving funding from.
-Disinvestment from said companies
-To Release a statement condemning the Israeli state's attacks and blockade on Gaza
-Surplus resources (computers, books etc) to be sent to students in Gaza
-Scholarships for at least five Gazan students to study in Leeds
No repercussion, legal or otherwise for activists
Now I am going to identify issues I have with the points made in the manifesto.
-Open the books to show which companies that back the Israeli state the Uni is investing in and/or receiving funding from.
I am not going to pretend to be an economist. Maths is by now stretch of the imagination my strong point. What evidence is there of financial backing from pro-Israeli (or companies who work closely with the Israeli state) companies? This is not an argumentative point, simply a point of curiosity. If we are going for a true boycott of products and companies then maybe we should examine the idea that many products like grapes from the co-op supermarket chain are from Israeli as are many oranges in Sainsburies.
-Disinvestment from said companies
Queen Mary uni has made a similar point about a Starbucks coffee outlet on the campus. As I stated in the above point I am not going to pretend to be an economist. Neither do I know the finances of each uni. It is because of this I will with caution make a point about the issue of funding in university system. It is unfortuantly the case that many of are educational establishments are under-funded (I speak as a met student, not a student of a prestigious university). Can we call for universities to reject funding which may play a serious part in keeping them afloat? Also at what point do we draw the line on the companies? Should we reject funding from companies who run shipping opperations (this is a weak example yes)?
-To Release a statement condemning the Israeli state's attacks and blockade on Gaza
I have two major points with this statement. The first is one of apathy. We all sadly know that the Israeli state does not listen to other actors within the global political thearter. If Israeli will not listen to the UN (leaving debates surrounding the organisation aside) will it really be compelled to act by the actions of uni's the other side of the world. My second point is the lack of democracy that this demand entails. To put it simply how can we be sure that all students agree with the standpoint of taken by the occupiers? I university should be a place for all minds to come together and be educated. We should not make them a place where only the left wing can be free to express its views.
-Surplus resources (computers, books etc) to be sent to students in Gaza
-Scholarships for at least five Gazan students to study in Leeds
My issue with these two points are the same. I have supported both of these points on a much larger scale for a long time. I do not believe we should make the specific to simply Gaza residents. I have campienged for funding to buy bikes for children in Africa and have driven around my home county to collect old computers to be referbished and sent to those around the world who need them. I think this should be done on a larger scale. Why must we only argue this point in relation to Gaza and the occupied territories?
On the matter of scholarships I again think we should be fighting to gain a better standard of living and education for people around the world. Do not simply argue this point for students of Gaza but for those around the world who seek knowledge.
-No repercussion, legal or otherwise for activists
This for me although I can understand this point I am a great believe in the idea that for every action there is a re-action. I do not want to see anyone taken away or arrested but all who take part in occupations must be aware of the possible consequences. Yes I agree that political dissent on this level should not be made illegal but asking for no repercussions to me shows a lack of belief and support for what you are fighting for. If you truely believe in your cause then fight for it all the way in the face of other factors.
That is all. If this list of points remains on this site I would like to thank the people who have set up the occupations.proboards.com for giving me a place to air my views and opinions. Free speech is the cornerstone of a truely liberated society.
For this writing I will use the example of Leeds Uni as it is my closest occupied university.
As stated on the leedsunioccupation.blogspot.com the demands upon the university are as follows;
-Open the books to show which companies that back the Israeli state the Uni is investing in and/or receiving funding from.
-Disinvestment from said companies
-To Release a statement condemning the Israeli state's attacks and blockade on Gaza
-Surplus resources (computers, books etc) to be sent to students in Gaza
-Scholarships for at least five Gazan students to study in Leeds
No repercussion, legal or otherwise for activists
Now I am going to identify issues I have with the points made in the manifesto.
-Open the books to show which companies that back the Israeli state the Uni is investing in and/or receiving funding from.
I am not going to pretend to be an economist. Maths is by now stretch of the imagination my strong point. What evidence is there of financial backing from pro-Israeli (or companies who work closely with the Israeli state) companies? This is not an argumentative point, simply a point of curiosity. If we are going for a true boycott of products and companies then maybe we should examine the idea that many products like grapes from the co-op supermarket chain are from Israeli as are many oranges in Sainsburies.
-Disinvestment from said companies
Queen Mary uni has made a similar point about a Starbucks coffee outlet on the campus. As I stated in the above point I am not going to pretend to be an economist. Neither do I know the finances of each uni. It is because of this I will with caution make a point about the issue of funding in university system. It is unfortuantly the case that many of are educational establishments are under-funded (I speak as a met student, not a student of a prestigious university). Can we call for universities to reject funding which may play a serious part in keeping them afloat? Also at what point do we draw the line on the companies? Should we reject funding from companies who run shipping opperations (this is a weak example yes)?
-To Release a statement condemning the Israeli state's attacks and blockade on Gaza
I have two major points with this statement. The first is one of apathy. We all sadly know that the Israeli state does not listen to other actors within the global political thearter. If Israeli will not listen to the UN (leaving debates surrounding the organisation aside) will it really be compelled to act by the actions of uni's the other side of the world. My second point is the lack of democracy that this demand entails. To put it simply how can we be sure that all students agree with the standpoint of taken by the occupiers? I university should be a place for all minds to come together and be educated. We should not make them a place where only the left wing can be free to express its views.
-Surplus resources (computers, books etc) to be sent to students in Gaza
-Scholarships for at least five Gazan students to study in Leeds
My issue with these two points are the same. I have supported both of these points on a much larger scale for a long time. I do not believe we should make the specific to simply Gaza residents. I have campienged for funding to buy bikes for children in Africa and have driven around my home county to collect old computers to be referbished and sent to those around the world who need them. I think this should be done on a larger scale. Why must we only argue this point in relation to Gaza and the occupied territories?
On the matter of scholarships I again think we should be fighting to gain a better standard of living and education for people around the world. Do not simply argue this point for students of Gaza but for those around the world who seek knowledge.
-No repercussion, legal or otherwise for activists
This for me although I can understand this point I am a great believe in the idea that for every action there is a re-action. I do not want to see anyone taken away or arrested but all who take part in occupations must be aware of the possible consequences. Yes I agree that political dissent on this level should not be made illegal but asking for no repercussions to me shows a lack of belief and support for what you are fighting for. If you truely believe in your cause then fight for it all the way in the face of other factors.
That is all. If this list of points remains on this site I would like to thank the people who have set up the occupations.proboards.com for giving me a place to air my views and opinions. Free speech is the cornerstone of a truely liberated society.
