Emerson Alumni for Justice in Palestine (EAJP) is a democratic, multi-ethnic, multi-racial and interfaith collective of Emerson College alumni. Composed of past Emerson undergraduate and graduate students, it was formed in April 2024 to support and amplify Emerson Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine (FSJP)’s work towards raising awareness around Israeli settler colonialism, ethnic cleansing, genocidal policies and actions, and everyday violence against Palestinians.
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Why was EAJP formed?
As graduates from an institution of higher education, we are particularly alarmed by the Israeli attacks on Palestinian universities and schools that systematically destroy the Palestinian educational sector. The Israeli army destroyed every university in Gaza, in addition to most schools and educational facilities. It targeted and killed hundreds of teachers and professors. These violent attacks are part of a systematic attempt to undermine the education of the population and jeopardize Palestinian social reproduction more broadly. US academic institutions, such as Emerson College, have a responsibility to do everything in their power to stop these attacks.
Our principles
1. EAJP is part of a global movement that supports Palestinians’ right to self-determination. It views the Palestinian struggle against settler colonialism and ethnic cleansing as part of a global movement that includes Black and Indigenous liberations, LGBTQ+ struggles, disability, feminist, and environmental movements.
2. EAJP supports the Palestinian refugees’ right to return to their land and homes as stipulated by UN resolution 194 (III).
3. EAJP supports the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS). BDS is vital to end the Israeli occupation and colonization. As part of this work we are committed to uncovering Emerson College’s ties to Israeli military and illegal settlements.
4. EAJP is committed to struggles against any form of racism and discrimination toward marginalized groups, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
5. EAJP supports the Jerusalem Declaration and its principled struggle against anti-Semitism, categorically rejecting all conflations between Zionism and Judaism, and between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism. These conflations often prevent legitimate criticisms of Israeli state policies. EAJP calls for emancipation and equality for all.
6. EAJP supports academic freedom at Emerson which is a fundamental pillar for a holistic and emancipatory education. EAJP supports Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), Faculty & Staff for Justice in Palestine (FSJP) and other groups’ right to organize and raise awareness around the plight of Palestinians.
7. EAJP supports events and actions that might be considered political by some and yet are essential for academic debates and intellectual growth.
Stay up-to-date
Find a useful bibliography on Israel/Palestine here: https://decolonizepalestine.com/reading-list/.
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