Senate Resolution
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Statement on the Gaza/Israel conflict
A draft resolution on the conflict in Gaza was proposed by a Senator at the last meeting of Senate, and after a robust debate, the motion was voted on and passed, subject to the finalisation of the wording.
At the time of voting, the Senate comprised of 358 members, of which 130 were present at the meeting. 123 of the 130 voted, with 65 voting in favour of the motion, 49 against it, and 9 abstaining.
Following an extensive process, the final version of the statement is reflected below:
Resolution of the Senate of the University of the Witwatersrand on Gaza and Palestine
As members of the Wits University Senate, we are committed to upholding and furthering the principles of justice, freedom and the right to life for all, as enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa, and informed by our collective historical struggles against apartheid.
We recognise and recommit to opposing the multiple conflicts and crises of violence that have resulted in dire humanitarian crises, particularly on the African continent, including Sudan, the Sahel, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, amongst others.
Expressions of solidarity in these contexts must also be embedded in a larger commitment to advancing our common humanity on many fronts across the globe.
With this in mind, and while re-affirming our opposition to all forms of racism, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, we note and resolve the following in response to recent and ongoing events in Gaza and Palestine:
1) We condemn the October 7th attacks by Hamas and the subsequent and ongoing actions of the Israeli military in Gaza.
2) The continuing actions of Israeli military forces in Gaza constitute a disproportionate response to the October 7th attacks and amount to a form of collective punishment and forced displacement, as indicated by the United Nations.
3) Of grave concern is the destruction of hospitals, universities, schools and other non-military infrastructure which has resulted in unjustifiable levels of death and devastation across Gaza. The effects on the health and educational systems in particular are likely to have long-term, generational consequences.
4) The indiscriminate use of military force has created a severe humanitarian crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people trying to survive without adequate shelter, food, water, or medical care. We call for food, medical and all forms of needed aid to be urgently provided to civilians in Gaza.
5) We call for an immediate, permanent and unconditional ceasefire to prevent the further deaths of civilians. Hostages and other unjustly detained and incarcerated individuals should also be immediately released. We uphold the rights of Palestinians – as of all people – to life, health, education and academic freedom, and affirm their right to live free of occupation in accordance with the foundational principles of self-determination and peaceful co-existence.
6) We further commit to providing meaningful and ongoing academic support to the re-building of the education and health systems in Palestine, within the mandate of Wits University.
3 July 2024
As a University, we are home to a diverse people from multiple cultures, religions, and backgrounds who share different views, ideas and perspectives on global political developments. There is accordingly no singular view on matters such as these and given this polyvocality of views that the University re-iterates the rights of staff and students to express their own views and act according to their own convictions and conscience, thereby preserving and protecting our constitutionally guaranteed right to academic freedom and the right to freedom of expression.