Brasenose HCR General Meeting 08 May 2024
HCR_Palestine_Motion
The HCR resolves to:
1) Join the MCRs of Somerville College, St Anthony’s College and Exeter College in their
call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli
hostages and Palestinian administrative detainees, an end to the targeting of
Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and inside Israeli territory, as well as for the
unhindered restoration of humanitarian aid in Gaza to prevent further loss of life and
for the restoration of power, water, food and telecommunications
2) To condemn the ongoing bombardment, displacement, and genocide of Palestinian
people by the Israeli state, the building of illegal settlements in the West Bank, the
killing of civilians (Palestinian and Israeli), aid workers and journalists and the
destruction of Gaza’s universities
3) To emphasise that there is no place for antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism or any
form of discrimination, in our college or in our university
4) To request college to offer welfare support to students participating in encampment
outside the Museum of Natural History
5) To opening meaningful dialogue and discussion with Brasenose College on this issue
The HCR notes that:
• That Israel’s ongoing attacks on Palestinians in Gaza since October have resulted in the
killing of more than 34,000 Palestinians – many of whom are women and children and
that Israel’s indiscriminate and planned destruction of civilian infrastructure in Gaza will
lead to many more civilian deaths in the future
• That Israel holds at least 3,500 Palestinians in administrative detention without charge
or trial in the West Bank, in contravention of international law and the October 7th attack
committed by Hamas resulted in the killing of approximately 1,200 Israelis, as well as the
taking of hostages of whom 134 are still in Gaza
• That Palestinians have experienced a long and violent history of occupation by Israel
• That 1.5 million Palestinian civilians are currently displaced in Rafah, southern Gaza, with
no chance to leave, lacking basic living necessities amidst a catastrophic ground invasion
by Israel
• All of Gaza’s universities have been destroyed by Israel’s bombardment over the last 6
months with this act of scholasticide including the murder of over 5,400 students, 261
teachers and 95 university professors. This has deprived an entire generation of
Palestinian students of their academic future.
• Brasenose College prides itself in being a “friendly”, international, diverse and inclusive
community of students from across the world. The College’s core values include
“academic freedom” and a strong sense of community.
The HCR believes that:
• That our members have a moral responsibility in line with our values and convictions and
as students with institutional privilege to publicly speak up and stand in solidarity with
oppressed peoples seeking justice and liberation across the world, including the
Palestinian people who are currently experiencing genocide.
The HCR resolves to:
1) Join the MCRs of Somerville College, St Anthony’s College and Exeter College in their
call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the release of Israeli
hostages and Palestinian administrative detainees, an end to the targeting of
Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and inside Israeli territory, as well as for the
unhindered restoration of humanitarian aid in Gaza to prevent further loss of life and
for the restoration of power, water, food and telecommunications
2) To condemn the ongoing bombardment, displacement, and genocide of Palestinian
people by the Israeli state, the building of illegal settlements in the West Bank, the
killing of civilians (Palestinian and Israeli), aid workers and journalists and the
destruction of Gaza’s universities
3) To emphasise that there is no place for antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism or any
form of discrimination, in our college or in our university
4) To request college to offer welfare support to students participating in encampment
outside the Museum of Natural History
5) To opening meaningful dialogue and discussion with Brasenose College on this issue