Published on March 2, 2024, 1:24 am

In a significant development at the University of Virginia, an overwhelming majority of students have voted in favor of university divestment from Israel. This decision came to light following a campus-wide referendum on Wednesday. This move has faced criticism and sparked allegations of anti-Semitic discrimination against Jewish students at the institution.

The results of the referendum, which had been sponsored by seven student groups, revealed that 67 percent votes were in favor of the proposal while 32 percent were against it. Approximately one-third of the student body took part in this voting process.

In essence, the referendum advocates for auditing the university’s administration to determine whether any endowment funds are making investments in companies that engage with or profit from what is characterized as ‘apartheid practices’ by the State of Israel. It holds that if any such funds are identified, they should be divested immediately.

It also criticized UVA’s administration for remaining silent towards Israel in its statement condemning Hamas after it carried out one of history’s most appalling mass attacks on Jews.

According to this document, “the University released an initial statement on October 11, 2023” recognizing “the brutal terrorist attacks on Israel” and denouncing “Hamas’ horrific violence against civilians.” However, it goes on to argue that such condemnation was inadequate as it overlooked alleged crimes perpetrated by the Israeli government and claimed ongoing ethnic persecution against Palestinians.

Hybrid Organizations such as Asian Students Union, Dissenters at UVA, DivestUVA, Minority Rights Coalition, Muslim Students Association can all be held accountable as sponsors. Furthermore,, Muslims United stood behind pushing forward this referendum.

These developments have brought much concern among Jewish communities within university grounds including Hillel – A Jewish student organization whose executive committee expressed their sorrow regarding the passing of such a motion that harbors potentially damaging accusations about Israel.

Apart from leaving many Jewish students feeling unwelcome and isolated among their peers on campus, they also feel it amount to the denial of their historical narrative and silencing of Israel’s self-identity.

In response to numerous reported incidents of anti-Semitic discrimination at UVA, including alleged physical harassments and verbal abuses targeted toward Jewish students, the university has created a religious diversity task force composed of professors Nichole Flores and Oludamini Ogunnaike amongst others. These same members had also signed onto an open faculty letter condemning what is perceived as whitewashing surrounding events that unfolded on Oct 7.

However, despite widespread criticism towards its stance and subsequent actions driven from this referendum, UVA maintains neutrality on student referenda affirming that the referendum results are purely an expression of student opinions and in no way binding to the institution itself.

Irrespective of contrasting views held by various communities within UVA’s campus over divisive issues such as this one, a Christian worldview places importance upon mutual understanding based upon tolerance, respect, kindness, empathy and love for one another with acknowledgment that we’re all intricately woven into God’s great tapestry.

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