The U.S.’ longtime support of the apartheid state of Israel makes possible the Israeli Defense Forces’ genocide of Palestinians. The U.S. provides billions of dollars and weapons to Israel. And as the death toll in Palestine since Oct. 7 surpasses 33,000, state governments like Utah and universities within our country maintain strong partnerships with the colonialist state of Israel.
The University of Utah’s business with pro-Israel corporations, including 47G, directly endorses Israel’s genocide of Palestinians. Divestment would affirm that the U doesn’t support genocide and send a message to the U.S. that its aid to Israel is unacceptable. Resisting complicity saves lives.
Boycott, Divest, Sanctions
BDS refers to the boycotting, divesting from and sanctioning of pro-Israel companies and corporations. Closing off international support from Israel puts pressure on the settler-colonial state, which can force it to stop attacking Palestinian civilians.
People must contribute to the BDS movement in their personal lives by boycotting companies that support Israel, such as McDonalds and Chevron. Corporations, including American universities, also bear responsibility to the Palestinian people and must cut ties with Israel. The U, however, has made no moves to do so.
The U’s Involvement with Israel
The U’s engineering departments tie directly to defense companies partnered with Israel. On Oct. 13, the week after it began this particular assault on Palestine, the university announced its launch of the UNICOS network, which includes companies like Lockheed Martin, the largest weapons manufacturer on earth. Many of the companies in the UNICOS network finance Israel, whether directly or through partnerships with other companies who do.
The U’s partnership with the defense company 47G and weapons manufacturer Northrop Grumman also indicates strong support for the Zionist entity. Northrop Grumman, a major member of 47G, supplies Israel with artillery ammunition and bombs used to attack Gaza.
The U also has several Starbucks locations. Since Starbucks sued a labor union for supporting Palestine, those in favor of Palestinian liberation have boycotted the company. It has made an impact — Starbucks lost about $11 billion between November and December 2023 alone.
Amid rising Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian bias in the U.S., the U has neglected to declare its support for Palestinian students. In November, three Palestinian students were shot in Vermont. The U remains silent – even after six months of genocide. The last statement the U made was in October.
In this statement, University President Taylor Randall wrote, “As this crisis unfolds, let’s support one another, respect differences of opinion, and uniformly denounce violence and acts of hate.” But he is still unable to specifically denounce the colonialism and apartheid that Israel has perpetuated against Palestine for many years. He refuses to divest from the very perpetrators of such violence and hate.
All of this represents the U’s self-interest as a corporation. It signals to students, particularly Palestinian students, that their university is not on their side. As a leading university in the state, highly ranked among U.S. schools, the U must set a better example. It can use its financial power for good. Instead, it endorses genocide.
Cutting Ties with Israel
Many universities have divested from pro-Israel companies since 2003. Students play a big part in this — pressuring universities can leave them with no choice but to divest. Since the Zionist entity began its latest bombardment of Gaza in October, university students are renewing pressure for their institutions to divest from pro-Israel companies.
At Brown University, students went on a hunger strike to call for their university to divest. Just recently, five Norwegian universities cut ties with Israel. And student government at UC Davis announced their divestment from Israel in February. This shows that divestment is possible.
Many U students have also protested the university’s ties to Israel. Over time, more valuable lives are lost, and divestment becomes even more vital. Students must continue to pressure the U. It has power with its money and influence in Utah and the U.S. divestment from pro-Zionist companies would save Palestinian lives.
