USU community stands for Israel and Palestine

On Oct. 19, Utah State University students participated in two demonstrations from supporting different sides of the Israel-Palestine conflict in the Gaza Strip.  

USU students received an email on Thursday from President Elizabeth Cantwell discussing recent events in Gaza. 

“In the face of recent events, where a devastating terrorist act against Israel on the part of Hamas has prompted responses resulting in grave harm to Palestinians in Gaza, we find ourselves confronted with profound ethical challenges,” Cantwell wrote.  

Cantwell continued, discussing USU’s official stance on the conflict. 

“I want to be clear, that as a higher education institution, we condemn terrorism and mourn the escalating violence against innocent individuals and families,” Cantwell wrote.  

That afternoon on the Quad, people made their voices heard.  

By the Block A, people gathered in support of Palestine. As participants arrived, Palestinian music played from a speaker, and a Palestinian flag was hanging from the Block A. The “Stand for Palestine” event was organized by several people and attended by students and community members from many walks of life. 

As the gathering began, Elizabeth Wong from the Graduate Students of Color Association addressed the group, sharing a statement of solidarity with people living in occupied lands.  

“We demand that our governments do everything in their power to stop the ongoing genocide. We dream of a free Palestine,” Wong said in her speech. 

After Wong’s remarks, Lamis Ali spoke to the group. As an American-Palestinian, this issue is personal to her. 

“I have a friend…26 members of her family were killed in Gaza last week,” Ali said. “I feel so, so sad about this situation, especially regarding children and women in this situation…I just want children to live their regular lives.” 

She shared in her speech that her people have been living through this war since 1978. She also highlighted recent events, including the bombing of hospitals and cutting supply chains to civilians. 

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families. No word can accurately capture the depth of their pain and loss,” Ali said in her speech. “The numbers speak for themselves, but behind every number is a human being, a story, a life. The death toll in Gaza has risen to over 4,000.” 

Badriea Manassra, a concerned citizen, also participated in the demonstration. She agreed with the sentiment that words cannot describe the pain of Palestine.  

“I can’t find the words in any dictionary — English, Arabic, French, Spanish — any dictionary to describe what’s going on in Palestine,” Manassra said. 

Ali continued her speech, sharing her pain at the murder of children and innocent lives, along with the worsening humanitarian crisis. 

“We, as a global community, must rise above political affiliation and see the human cause of this conflict. We must come together to demand an end to the violence and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” Ali said in her speech.  

As Ali closed her speech, she shared a call for people to search for the truth in the many reports coming from both sides. 

“It’s time for us to stand up, speak out, and ensure that tragedies like this never occur again. Let us strive for a world where every child, every individual, regardless of their faith, ethnicity, and/or nationality, can live in peace and security,” Ali said as she closed.  

A young girl sang a song about the history of Palestine, and then electric candles were passed out to participants. They walked in silence around the Quad, carrying Palestinian flags.  

Another demonstration began on the Animal Science building corner of the Quad where participants held Israeli flags and signs. Ryan Smith, chair for the Utah State Federation of College Republicans, organized the “Stand for Israel” event.  

“We’re definitely here to stand with Israel, stand for those that were slain and sadly those that were killed by the Palestinian people. We’re here to show that support,” Smith said. 

Smith also shared his perspective on the conflict. 

“With this issue, you have an aggressor that’s chosen to attack innocent babies, civilians, women, and obviously any murder of innocent lives is sad on either side, but we definitely stand with Israel,” Smith said. 

He continued, citing a lack of human rights as a reason for not supporting Palestine. 

“We definitely don’t support standing with Hamas or the Palestinian government,” Smith said. “We don’t stand with a country that chooses to have many civil rights, human rights issues.”  

Scott Wilbur, a law and constitutional studies junior, also participated in “Stand for Israel.” 

“We’re out here to show our support for Israel and show our disdain for terrorists and terrorist organizations that kill innocents,” Wilbur said.  

Wilbur shared his belief that people hoping to support innocent Palestinians should not support Hamas.  

“Hamas has no regard for their own citizens, and they have even less for the Jews,” Wilbur said. 

Even though this issue has multiple sides, people from many perspectives agreed it’s essential to stay informed and advocate for their beliefs.  

“It’s about understanding what’s happening, and I think when you’re more involved, you understand the policies and what’s going on,” Smith said. 

Stand for Palestine participants also shared the importance of being educated. 

“Please, clear your eyes. Get rid of the blindness. See the truth. Seek the truth,” Manassra said.  

Arin Doyle, a senior psychology major, attended Stand for Palestine and added their perspective. 

“Elevating Palestinian voices is incredibly important, especially during this time, and making sure that the information that we receive about what is happening is accurate and to respect the experiences of individuals who have been affected,” Doyle said. 

Doyle said being informed is empowering. 

“Part of being educated is being involved and being informed about what is happening,” Doyle said. “It’s an incredibly empowering situation to be aware of what is happening, even though it’s incredibly frustrating at times.” 

Cantwell also shared this belief in her statement to the university.  

“We all have personal beliefs and opinions. However, our moral imperative as an institution is to create the environment where we encourage all members of our community to seek a sense of their individual ethics while promoting a culture of open, informed, and compassionate dialogue,” Cantwell wrote.  

As people in the community form opinions, Cantwell has hope for Utah State. 

“As we engage as a community in discussions, debates, and self-reflection, use this moment to further define your own personal values, ethics, and principles and, in doing so, contribute to a more just world,” Cantwell wrote.