We are compelled to address the alarming developments following Dalhousie’s latest communication regarding the Students for the Liberation of Palestine–Kjipuktuk (SLPK) encampment. On July 19th, the President’s Office issued an update outlining its commitments to the demands of the SLPK and the Dalhousie Student Union (DSU). This communication, framed as an agreement, unfortunately, lacks transparency and detail and fails to mention any clear commitment to divestment. Additionally, the outlined next steps failed to convey the urgency required to address the genocide in Palestine, even in light of the historic ruling by the International Court of Justice, which found multiple and serious violations of international law by Israel towards Palestinians and found Israel responsible for apartheid.
Despite the peaceful and educational nature of the student encampment, the university chose a path of escalation. On July 26th, an eviction notice was issued, demanding the dismantling of the encampment by the evening of July 28th. The enforcement of this directive, concluding in police involvement on July 29th, starkly contradicts the peaceful engagement and educational objectives the encampment consistently upheld.
This situation raises profound ethical and procedural concerns. Dalhousie's decision to use police force against its students not only infringes on the rights to free expression and peaceful assembly but also violates the very principles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility that the university claims to champion. This divergence from EDIA values, especially at a time when the university community needed them the most, undermines the trust and credibility Dalhousie has worked to build around these core commitments.
On July 29th, Dalhousie chose to close its Halifax campuses citing "safety concerns." However, the DSU contends that these alleged safety concerns are unfounded. Instead, the DSU argues that the real safety issues arose from the police's actions on that day, which included dismantling tents and disrupting the peaceful encampment established by the SLPK.
The SLPK encampment, known as Al-Zeitoun University, was a vibrant educational and community hub that included a library, medical and children's tents, and hosted numerous lectures and teach-ins, some of which were led by Dalhousie faculty members who have supported the SLPK and DSU's efforts since May. We believe that the SLPK initiatives significantly enriched the campus community and emphasized education and mutual support over conflict.
the DSU is deeply disappointed by the university administration's recent shift in approach. Having engaged in positive dialogue from the start of our advocacy, we were proud to be part of Dalhousie, an institution we believed supported meaningful student involvement. However, the recent events contradict the collaborative spirit we valued, severely undermining our trust in the university's leadership.
We call on Dalhousie University to build on the progress we have achieved together thus far. We urge the university not to shy away from our main demand for divestment. We are steadfast in our commitment and will not cease our efforts until meaningful change is enacted.
If you are experiencing distress or would like to discuss any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Executive team. We are here to support you and offer a space for open discussion.
In solidarity,
The DSU Executive Team
