Fundraiser for Palestine - University Delft
Donation protected
Help us free our university from complicity!
We, the students and staff of TU Delft, are concerned about the scientific output of universities being used for war and genocide. We take pride in our technical university and its international reputation. However, we can not close our eyes when the research of hardworking scholars is being used for these purposes
In the book 'Towers of Ivory and Steel', Dr. Maya Wind exposes the misuse of acadamia by Israeli universities. Dr Wind is a postdoctoral fellow at UBC, and describes herself as a Jewish Israeli citizen, and a granddaughter of holocaust survivors. Her book reveals how some universities are far more than simply institutions for learning...
''As this book shows, Israeli universities serve as pillars of Israel's system of oppression against Palestinians. Academic disciplines, degree programs, campus infrastructure, and research laboratories all service Israeli occupation and apartheid, while universities violate the rights of Palestinians to education, stifle critical scholarship, and violently repress student dissent. Towers of Ivory and Steel is a powerful expose of Israeli academia’s ongoing and active complicity in Israel’s settler-colonial project.''
- Maya Wind website; Towers of Ivory and Steel
Most academics are unaware of the deep rooted links to apartheid and oppressive systems and how these are upheld by the universities. That is why the research from Dr. Wind, needs to be read by these very people.
About the action
We, the students and staff of TU Delft, understand that there cannot be a military solution to a political problem. That is why we want to help bring Wind's research to the academic debate about cutting the ties. To show why this step is crucial for the safeguarding of human rights. Every person who sits in a position of power, that can attribute to this life saving decision, needs to have read the pivotal research by the Israeli dr. Wind.
That is why our plan is to give a copy of this book to all 282 full professors and 88 members of the board. For this we need a total of 370 copies of the book!
This gift will be part of an information package. Including information for our professors on how they can advocate for cutting the ties from within the university.
Content of each gift basket:
- A flyer explaining why our university should cut-the-ties, according to international law.
- A list of Faculties that have already cut or suspended the ties
- FAQ, addressing several subjects
- An overview of resources to get more in-depth knowledge about the history of oppression. (books, documentaries and podcasts)
- An overview of how professors can advocate from within
- A QR code linking to the PACBI guidelines 'What is the difference between Institutional boycott and invidual boycott?'
The university and the groups they can join:
- Flyers from anti-zionist organisations addressing the difference between Zionism and Judaism. Welcoming all questions if people themselves are not sure what stance to take.
- A personal letter from us, the students, to our professors
- And more...
Please consider donating, to help us buy life saving literature!
What about academic freedom?
For months there have been numerous protests from our students and staff, pleading to cut the ties with Israeli universities, adhere to international law and to protect human rights. According to the ruling from the ICJ in July 2024, we are obliged to not cooperate with a recognised apartheid state, and illegal occupation.
The counter narrative often relies on the argument that a boycott would result in a restraint of academic freedom. This book helps to give a different perspective on what the concept of academic freedom really means and how it is being used as a weapon.
Dr. Wind's research demonstrates how Israeli universities are the crux of the Israeli army; the same army that has bombed every single university in Gaza...
What are we spending the money on?
The publicist already gave us a 50% discount in support of our action. However for 370 books that will still add up to a significant amount of money. Apart from the books, there will be import and material costs for the flyers and gift bags. All this will amount to approximately €5000,-.
Anyone who donates, can ask for prove of payments, after we deliver all professors and board members their gift bags. Full transparancy guaranteed!
Who are we?
Delft Student Intifada (DSI) is a group of mixed students - that includes several Palestinians - who came together at the end of May 2024 to start an encampment as well as a series of actions that called attention to Palestine and the severing of ties. We organised flyer actions, marches, protests, informative courses, movie nights about Palestine, and will continue to do this. We are a closely-knit group that is highly motivated to fight for the Palestinian cause.
We hope you will join us in our fight!
Warm Greetings,
The Delft Student Intifada
Find us on Instagram: @delft_student_intifada
#EducatetoLiberate
- Buy a small ticket to our event next friday!
Support and have fun while doing it.
04-10-24
@Roodkapje; 2 min walk from Rotterdam Central station
Buy your tickets ahead of time and read about our event:
Organiser
Laura Verhoven
Organiser
Delft