Independent Jewish Voices Condemns the Unjust Suspension of Two Palestinian Students from Vancouver Island University (VIU)
President and Vice-Chancellor
Vancouver Island University
900 Fifth Street
Nanaimo, BC V9R 5S5
Dear President Saucier,
The Vancouver and Victoria chapters of Independent Jewish Voices (IJV) strongly condemn Vancouver Island University (VIU) for unjustly suspending two Palestinian students for exercising their rights to free expression and peaceful assembly in connection with their involvement with the Palestine Solidarity Encampment (PSE). This action contradicts VIU’s own commitment to diversity, inclusion, and academic freedom, as well as the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We urge VIU to immediately revoke these suspensions and issue a public apology.
The Palestine Solidarity Encampment (PSE) was a peaceful demonstration advocating for justice and solidarity with Palestinians in response to the genocide being committed by Israel in Palestine. VIU’s retaliatory response — including threats of arrest, legal action, and selective suspensions — was excessive and punitive. The suspensions also contradict President Saucier’s May 31, 2024, assurance that “members of our community will not be punished for participating in the encampment.”
The suspended students, Sara Kishawi and “Student A,” are Muslim Palestinian women from Gaza. The singling out of two Palestinian students from a larger group of protestors highlights a pattern of racial, religious, and gender-based discrimination on the part of VIU. Their punishment is both Islamophobic and an example of anti-Palestinian racism, and a direct violation of the University’s own Human Rights Policy which advocates that, “the University considers discrimination and harassment to be a serious infringement of a person’s human rights […].”
VIU has sent a chilling message that advocacy for Palestinian rights will result in harsh penalties. VIU’s own Student Conduct Code emphasizes resolving disputes at the lowest level. In this instance, the Senior Management Team bypassed the prescribed channels, immediately electing the most severe disciplinary measure without justification. The appeal process has now been unjustly delayed, further denying the students due process and harming their academic progress. Universities are spaces where students should be able to engage freely in critical discourse, challenge power, and advocate for justice, not places where dissent is silenced through disciplinary measures. VIU’s actions represent just one example of the dangerous surge of anti-Palestinian racism targeting students, educators and organizations across campuses in Canada.
In light of all this IJV urges VIU to:
- Revoke the suspensions of Ms. Kishawi and Student A.
- Issue a formal apology for the discrimination and hardship they have faced.
- Reaffirm its commitment to protecting students’ rights to free expression and peaceful assembly.
As a Jewish organization committed to justice and human rights, IJV stands in solidarity with the suspended Palestinian students and will continue to advocate against the suppression of Palestinian voices in academic institutions.
Sincerely,
Independent Jewish Voices-Vancouver
Independent Jewish Voices-Victoria
References
https://news.viu.ca/update-community-may-31-2024
https://services.viu.ca/student-support-and-intervention/student-code-conduct-non-academic