Hillel at York Responds to CUPE 3903`s Statement on the Situation in Israel
January 14, 2009 - Toronto, Ontario
Hillel at York disputes and challenges the statements made by the Executive Committee of CUPE 3903 in regards to the situation in the Gaza Strip and Southern Israel. The current conflict was initiated by Hamas - an entity classified as a terrorist organization by the Canadian government, which unilaterally declared an end to a six month cease-fire, and continues to launch a barrage of rockets upon Israeli civilians. Israel, like any government, was left with no choice but to protect the safety and security of its citizens.
Hillel at York regrets the loss of civilian life on both sides, but must affirm Israel's right to respond to eight years of continued rocket attacks upon Israeli men, women and children. Targets in Gaza that have been hit by the Israeli Air Force are military in nature, and the utmost care has been taken to avoid civilian deaths and injury wherever possible. The Islamic University was targeted due to its use as a military installation by Hamas for both launching rockets and developing rocket research, aimed at killing innocent Israelis.
Hillel at York joins others around the world in calling for a durable and sustainable cease-fire, and takes note that the Executive Committee of CUPE 3903 has not made a similar statement. Furthermore, Hillel at York is saddened that the Executive Committee of CUPE 3903 has not called for any sympathy towards the 1,000,000 Israeli civilians who are at risk of continued rocket attacks, and specifically the students of Sapir College, an Israeli academic institution in Sderot that has been a target of numerous rockets.
Finally, Hillel at York strongly encourages the Executive Committee of CUPE 3903 to focus on coming to terms with York University to end the strike affecting 50,000 students, rather than commenting on international political issues.
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