January 25, 2024
Dear Members:
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, taking place thousands of kilometers from the University of the Fraser Valley campuses, is extremely complex and a product of social and historical processes with deep political, religious, economic, and social roots.
The University of the Fraser Valley’s Faculty and Staff Association executive committee condemns the tragic loss of Israeli lives resulting from Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7, 2023. We condemn the ongoing and persistent assault by Israeli forces on Palestinians that has resulted in the indiscriminate killing of tens of thousand and the collective punishment of millions of innocent civilians and children. As a committee, we emphasize that there are no winners in a conflict where losses are primarily among civilians and civilian infrastructure.
We have surpassed a grim milestone of 100 days of violence, with massive human lives lost (more than 22,000 Palestinians and approximately 1,200 Israelis). The United Nations and Amnesty International suggest we are on the brink of genocide by Israelis against the Palestinians, claims of which are now being heard by the United Nations International Court of Justice.
The UFVFSA executive committee renews calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, the end of the occupation of Palestinian territories, the enforcement of international and humanitarian law to bring a peaceful solution to the region for both Palestinians and Israelis and for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
The UFVFSA executive committee stands in solidarity with those who fight against injustice and therefore stands with the people of Palestine as they face unimaginable conditions of physical and mental aggression, displacement, and deliberate deprivation of food, water, and medical care. We also recognize that Palestinians in Gaza have been living under occupation, siege, and systematic aggression from Israel before Oct. 7, which has only worsened since. We also stand with the innocent victims of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks and demand a full and objective investigation of the atrocities that took place against Israelis on that day.
Now, more than ever, education is needed for individuals to understand the importance of history and social context in shaping the current situation in Palestine and Israel and to cut through hateful rhetoric that appears to be constructing groups of individuals as “others.” We have seen this before, for example, during the genocide Canada perpetrated on Indigenous Peoples (the consequences of which are still with us today) and the marginalization of Jewish peoples and other groups leading up to and during the Holocaust.
Anti-Palestinian racism is real, and along with antisemitism and islamophobia, are partially responsible for the polarization we see in Canada. We urge community members to reach out to their governing representatives in this regard. We also encourage individuals to educate themselves on the history of the conflict to avoid falling into cycles of propaganda-driven hate. We must also remember and uphold our own values as outlined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms which highlight freedom of expression and equality of all persons.
For anyone feeling distress due to racism, Islamophobia, antisemitism, hate or other local or world events, know that there are resources available to you. Confidential counselling and other resources are available through the Employee and Family Assistance Program https://www.ufv.ca/hr/compensation-benefits/employee-family-assistance/. Additionally, employees are eligible for more counselling support through our health service provider: https://www.ufv.ca/hr/compensation-benefits/extended-health-dental/. Mental health support is available through Not Myself Today: https://www.ufv.ca/hr/health-well-being/resources/not-myself-today/. An initiative of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Not Myself Today is available to all UFV employees, online 24/7.
We are also here to support you at the FSA. You are welcome to reach out to any of us during this difficult time, and as we are sure, it impacts your work and your communities here at UFV.
In Solidarity
FSA Executive
University of the Fraser Valley Faculty & Staff Association
33844 King Road, Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M8
Building B | Room 346
Direct Tel: 604-854-4530
Toll-Free: 1-888-504-7441 local 4530
[email protected]
www.ufv-fsa.ca
Image credit: Two groups of wooden pegs facing another by Andrii Yalanskyi from Getty Images via Canva.com
