UCT Senate Votes for Palestine
By Nonku Mncube
On Friday afternoon, University of Cape Town’s Senate passed two historic motions in support of Palestine. Student organisations have been fighting for the university to participate in a full academic boycott of Israel; these motions are important steps to achieving that.
The first motion, proposed by Professor Leslie London and Professor Fatima Seedat, asks that Senate condemns the destruction of Palestinian scholarship and education infrastructure, and allow for the academic freedom to criticise Israel without accusations of antisemitism. There were 108 votes in favour of the motion, 47 against and 13 abstentions. “Senate members really saw what matters and they voted according to their conscious,” said Prof. London.
“This is a collective win. It is not the ultimate win, but we have moved a lot. We could feel that move in the room today.”
The second motion, proposed by Professor Lydia Cairncross, states that UCT Senate disallows UCT academics from collaborating or continuing collaborations with any research group that has associations with the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). There were 114 votes for the motion, 47 against and 7 abstentions. “This is a collective win. It is not the ultimate win, but we have moved a lot. We could feel that move in the room today,” said Prof. Cairncross while addressing supporters after the meeting.
“I am in shock. This sets a powerful precedent for other universities,” said Julia Hope, a UCT master’s student and a member of South African Jews for a Free Palestine (SAJFP).
A march and mass meeting, organised by UCT4Palestine, took place during the senate meeting. Students, staff, and alumni marched from UCT’s upper campus to the Kramer Building on middle campus where the meeting was being held. Protesters lined the entrance to the building to greet the senators as they came in. SRC Secretary General, Babokile Rakhake said, “We want UCT to form part of the international pressure against the Israeli state.”
“We want UCT to form part of the international pressure against the Israeli state.”
Once the meeting started, several speakers addressed the protesters, and messages of support from other pro-Palestine student organisations were read to the crowd. T. Lingani from National Education – Health and Allied Workers (NEHAWU) told the crowd, “The struggle for the people of Palestine will not be complete until the people of Palestine are free.” UCT staff member and Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) representative, Jaamia Galant said, “[It is] time for us to lead the call for freedom.”
Representatives from other student organisations were also present to show their support. RainbowUCT chairperson, Malaika Delport, told Varsity News: “The Palestinian struggle is a struggle against settler colonialism, and queer people need to be apart of that.” RainbowUCT is an LGBTQ+ student society at UCT.
By the time the Senate had concluded, about 30 people were still waiting to hear the results. It was a happy scene, as students and staff embraced and celebrated the passing of the motions. When asked what more students wanted to see from the university, Cape Youth Collective member (CAYCO) Jamie Rosengarten said, “We want to see them actually implement this.” “They need to keep up the energy,” said UCT honours student, Sakeena Lagardien.
The motions still have to go the Council for further deliberation.