US University to Cut Ties with Defense and Surveillance Companies Supporting Atrocities in Gaza
The University of San Francisco has declared its intention to divest from four prominent weapons and surveillance companies. The institution cites these companies' involvement in what it describes as Israel's ongoing actions against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Kellie Samson, a spokesperson for the University of San Francisco, announced that the institution will divest its stock holdings in Palantir, L3Harris, GE Aerospace, and RTX, with the decision taking effect on June 1st.
The four companies are part of a broader group of businesses engaged in commercial activities with the government in Tel Aviv or within the occupied territories.
Samson stated that the decision was unrelated to the university students’ argument regarding the companies’ connections with Israel.
Pro-Palestinian campus activists hailed the announcement as a significant victory.
The University of San Francisco has announced its decision to divest from four companies associated with operations in Gaza, following over a year of persistent demands from a campus protest movement advocating for the severance of ties with Israel. A leader from the movement confirmed the university’s commitment to the divestment.
Alia Sky, a law student from the University of South Florida, expressed that while the divestment represents a victory for pro-Palestinian advocates, further initiatives will be undertaken to pursue justice for the Palestinian cause.
A coalition of advocacy groups, known as University of San Francisco for Justice in Palestine, is urging the University of San Francisco to cease involvement with assets and partnerships linked to the Israeli occupation. Their demands include halting all academic programs, trips, scholarships, and institutional collaborations associated with Israel.
Earlier, students took over the atrium of Gleeson Library at the University of San Francisco, renaming it in honor of Hossam Shabat. This act paid tribute to the Al Jazeera Mubasher correspondent who tragically lost his life in March during an Israeli airstrike on his vehicle in Beit Lahiya, a city in northern Gaza.
On October 7, 2023, Israel initiated its military operation against Gaza following a landmark offensive by the Hamas group. This action came in response to what Hamas described as escalating actions against the Palestinian population.
As of now, the occupying regime has not succeeded in meeting its stated goals, despite having resulted in the deaths of at least 52,535 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, and causing injuries to 118,491 individuals in the blockaded region.
