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Rips Israel over “apartheid’ and ‘genocide’
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From staff reports
The crisis in Palestine is taking a terrifying turn as the Israeli military is preparing to invade Rafah where more than one million Palestinians have been forced to after their homes in northern Gaza were destroyed, State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid (D-21st) said in an email to supporters this month.
“This new, forced evacuation is plunging the region into further chaos,” he said. “As the violence and oppression against Palestinians escalates, the need for a permanent ceasefire and an end to the Israeli government’s occupation, apartheid policies and genocide have never been more urgent.
That’s why, across the country, student activists are bravely demanding that their colleges and universities take a stand against Israel’s war crimes by boycotting and divesting from Israel and from defense contractors.”
Rashid said he recently “had the privilege of visiting with student activists at the University of Illinois, Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, and I visited Illinois State University to stand in solidarity with student protesters there as well. The determination and commitment to justice that I’ve witnessed from these young activists have inspired me beyond words.
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Abdelnasser Rashid
“During my visit, I emphasized the importance of protecting the rights of these student organizers and connecting them with legal organizations like Palestine Legal, which provides critical support to activists facing backlash and repression,” the representative continued. “We’ve raised thousands of dollars for Palestine Legal to help fund their vital work. I’ve also been calling university administrators, mayors, and fellow elected officials to ensure that our student heroes are treated with the respect they deserve.”
Rashid said student activists “leading this charge are organizing protests and bravely speaking truth to power, even in the face of backlash and repression from their universities. They’re putting everything on the line to stand up for what’s right, and they need our support.
“With the growing backlash that activists are facing, we need to protect them from military violence and repression. We need to amplify their voices and ensure that the world hears their demands for justice and accountability.
By pressuring our institutions to cut ties with the Israeli war machine, we’re sending a powerful message that we will not be complicit in the suffering of the Palestinian people.”
