Spring Break
Students protest on campus for peace in Gaza
Saba Naseem
Issue date: 1/21/09 Section: News
"Cease fire now! Cease fire now! Cease fire now!" cried students and professors at the Gaza Peace and U.S. Independence protest in front of the Mullins Library Friday.
The event was sponsored by the Campus Greens and Students for U.S. Independence. Although it was below freezing outside, around 50 people came to the protest, many holding up signs that said "Stop the Terror" or "Cease Fire Now!"
"When America or Israel kills masses of people, it's not termed terrorism. They call it collateral damage," said Abel Tomlinson, founder of SUSI. "What Israel is doing is terrorism! Killing innocent civilians, burning children and bombing schools -- this must end!"
The Gaza conflict dates back to years ago when Israel occupied Gaza in the 1967 war. Three years ago, Israel withdrew its soldiers from Gaza but issued a blockade and remained in charge of everything that went in and out of Gaza. Hamas, a militant organization turned political party, governs Gaza and has a track record of firing rockets into southern Israel. On Dec. 27th, 2008, Israel initiated a military offensive to wipe out Hamas' ability to launch rockets into Israel.
"Israel broke the cease -- fire by not lifting the blockade. They are the ones who failed to uphold the terms. We must condemn our government that blindly supports Israel. Fulbright once said 'Israel controls the U.S. Senate,' and it is true," Tomlinson said.
According to the Congressional Research Service report for congress, the United States provides more than $3 billion worth of tax payer dollars to Israel annually, mostly in military aid.
Over the three week offensive, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed and in excess of 5,000 wounded. United Nations warehouses, schools and hospitals have been destroyed. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics estimates the damage to be around $1.5 billion.
"Responding to terrorism with terrorism only creates more terrorism. We must fight with diplomacy and treaties, not with bombs," Tomlinson said.
The event was sponsored by the Campus Greens and Students for U.S. Independence. Although it was below freezing outside, around 50 people came to the protest, many holding up signs that said "Stop the Terror" or "Cease Fire Now!"
"When America or Israel kills masses of people, it's not termed terrorism. They call it collateral damage," said Abel Tomlinson, founder of SUSI. "What Israel is doing is terrorism! Killing innocent civilians, burning children and bombing schools -- this must end!"
The Gaza conflict dates back to years ago when Israel occupied Gaza in the 1967 war. Three years ago, Israel withdrew its soldiers from Gaza but issued a blockade and remained in charge of everything that went in and out of Gaza. Hamas, a militant organization turned political party, governs Gaza and has a track record of firing rockets into southern Israel. On Dec. 27th, 2008, Israel initiated a military offensive to wipe out Hamas' ability to launch rockets into Israel.
"Israel broke the cease -- fire by not lifting the blockade. They are the ones who failed to uphold the terms. We must condemn our government that blindly supports Israel. Fulbright once said 'Israel controls the U.S. Senate,' and it is true," Tomlinson said.
According to the Congressional Research Service report for congress, the United States provides more than $3 billion worth of tax payer dollars to Israel annually, mostly in military aid.
Over the three week offensive, more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed and in excess of 5,000 wounded. United Nations warehouses, schools and hospitals have been destroyed. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics estimates the damage to be around $1.5 billion.
"Responding to terrorism with terrorism only creates more terrorism. We must fight with diplomacy and treaties, not with bombs," Tomlinson said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 7
Maxman
posted 1/21/09 @ 2:44 PM CST
These are not innocent civilians as you speak but people who are terrorists.........not the Israeli's. Israel warned them several times not to send rockets into their country and like these stupid people have done for ten thousand years. (Continued…)
Alex
posted 1/21/09 @ 3:24 PM CST
"United Nations warehouses, schools and hospitals have been destroyed."
One of the schools in question was being used to fire rockets and mortars out of. (Continued…)
A.L.L.
posted 1/23/09 @ 9:50 AM CST
I was sad to hear about the protest only after the fact. I would have attended if I new about it.
As a staff member and student, I am on campus every week day and read the Traveler online edition regularly. (Continued…)
Greg
posted 1/25/09 @ 1:04 PM CST
The reason radical extremists don't mind massive retaliation, Alex, is not because they believe it's an adequate trade. It's because the butchering of civilians boosts recruitment efforts like nothing else. (Continued…)
Maxman
posted 1/25/09 @ 11:01 PM CST
Dominic......that's where I got the information is from outside the U.S. Hamas hides behind women, children and the elderly. Hamas is nothing but cowards and Islamic Muslim killers as they have been for five thousand years. (Continued…)
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