London (QNN)- Exeter College’s Junior Common Room (JCR), a representative study body within the University of Oxford, has passed a motion accusing ‘Israel’ of apartheid and killing Al Jazeera’s Shireen Abu Akleh.
According to the motion, the Oxford Student reported on Thursday, the JCR suggested this move in recognition of recent developments like the killing of Al Jazeera’s Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh by Israeli forces, which has “led to widespread outcry.”
The measure was “unprecedented,” as Oxford Student said.
In the motion, the JCR also pointed to the fact that Human Rights Watch has stated that “Palestinians face systematic discrimination merely because of their race, ethnicity, and national origin” and that Amnesty International has “declared Israel an Apartheid state.”
The motion was also pushed on the basis that the situation seemed to be escalating, stating that “Israel has killed five times as many Palestinians in 2022 than it killed in the same period in 2021, including the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque that injured over 150 Palestinians.”
On this basis, the JCR expressed a desire to show support and solidarity, Oxford Student noted.
The motion expressed that the college “should do whatever possible to show solidarity with Palestine amidst this international crisis” and also “should similarly ensure that Palestinian students, and students who identify with the Palestinian cause in Oxford, feel adequately supported by the college.”
In addition, the JCR stated its intent to contribute toward humanitarian missions in Palestine.
Following these intentions, the JCR resolved to buy a Palestine flag for display in the JCR, as well as to donate £100 to Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). The charity provides medical aid and aims to develop the Palestinian healthcare system long-term through focus on local capacities and skills, aiming to improve “the health and dignity of Palestinians living under occupation and as refugees.”
