This is a cross post by Sarah Morgan from the Henry Jackson Society blog
Last Thursday, a disturbing though unsurprising motion came before the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Students’ Union. The motion proposed the LSE SU’s twinning with the Islamic University of Gaza, with “twinning” meaning anything from symbolic solidarity to sharing resources. Despite attempts by those in opposition of the motion to inform student voters about the heavily Hamas-affiliated university, the motion passed. The Union reported that the final count was in favour of the motion 161-131, with 10 abstentions.
The Islamic University of Gaza’s (IUG) links to Hamas are undeniable. The Islamic University’s founder, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, went on to found Hamas ten years later along with two other IUG professors. Fatah officials reported finding 1,000 Qassam rockets, grenades, and rocket-making materials on university grounds in 2007. Hamas’ military brigade leader admitted to using “our fighters at Islamic University in preparations to fight the Zionists.” Sixteen Islamic University professors are Hamas representatives in the Palestinian legislature.
It’s not only militarily and politically that the IUG partners with Hamas, but also ideologically. IUG’s Rector of Advanced Studies has said:
“The Jews are the Jews…. They do not have any moderates or any advocates of peace. They are all liars. They must be butchered and must be killed…. It is forbidden to have mercy in your hearts for the Jews in any place and in any land, make war on them anywhere that you find yourself. Any place that you meet them, kill themThe Jews are the Jews…. They do not have any moderates or any advocates of peace. They are all liars. They must be butchered and must be killed….
Imagine if an LSE professor had said that of Palestinians or Muslims. Assuredly, no self-respecting university the world over would want to become its twin.
And so, disregarding—or even worse uncaring of—the facts put forward, 161 students voted to twin their student union with a university in Gaza that “presents the philosophy of Hamas,” according to IUG Professor and high-ranking Hamas official, Jameela El Shanty. Hamas and IUG are inextricable consorts. LSE Students’ Union has shamelessly elected to ally with Hamas University. In the coming weeks, taking a page out of the LSE SU’s book, Queen Mary, University of London Students’ Union will hear a similar motion.
