By Maya Olson PZ ’25
On September 19th, an editor for The Outback News and writers from Claremont Undercurrents met with members of the Claremont Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) steering committee to discuss their “Palestine 101” information teach-in. This conversation occurred directly after the teach-in to introduce SJP, discuss the future of the semester and its goals, and to amplify SJP’s role on campus. After conferring with SJP steering in mid-October to discuss this interview, they chose to still have it published, however it is important to note that many semester objectives have changed.
The first slide of the teach-in read, “in order to understand the Palestinian struggle, you must understand it through a framework that captures the historical processes that produced our current conditions … That framework is settler colonialism.” Though recent attacks on Gaza only emphasize the need for the teach-in, this interview was held prior to October 7th, when SJP discussed how Israeli apartheid has remained ongoing for generations, and chose to use the word “apartheid” very intentionally.
Also important to express is their request for anonymity, as members generally did not feel safe sharing their names as they continue this work.
Stay up to date by following @ClaremontSJP on Instagram, coming to general body meetings on Tuesdays at 8pm, and joining students as they call on Pomona College for financial disclosure and to divest from companies that support the Israeli government.
The Outback Editor
For this education system session, did you have any specific goals in mind? How did you know that this was a needed thing to host, and a needed event for this campus?
SJP Steering #1
Traditionally, the “Palestine 101” is the launching event for SJP [each year]. I feel like it’s important to educate every new class of people coming into the 5Cs, especially when we have such a pressing [Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS)] campaign. The goal was gaining new membership and getting interest.
SJP Steering #2
In the U.S., when we talk about Palestine, it’s usually not in-depth, and it’s misinformation. Usually in the U.S., when we talk about Palestine, we write it off as complicated, and as a conflict that will never be solved, and [we] never talk about what’s actually happening. It’s important that people know the real things that happened instead of just brushing it off as “it’s complicated.”
The Outback Editor
My second question is, for people who aren’t involved or don’t typically stay up to date [with SJP events, what are the] short-term and long-term goals for SJP?
SJP Steering #1
The main things we do as an organization on campus are political education, cultural events, and (BDS) campaigns. This semester, our big push-BDS campaign is Suspend Pitzer Haifa.
SJP Steering #2
Also, the broader goal for us is to work towards Palestinian Liberation. That means following what Palestinians have called for internationally, so we root everything we do in what Palestinians are calling for.
The Outback Editor
Knowing that faculty, staff, students, and alumni read The Outback — whether coming from a leftist perspective or not — is there anything that you specifically want to have published now, or anything that we can provide a platform for right now? What would you say to the broader community?
SJP Steering #3
I would ask people who are reading leftist publications why Palestine is sometimes their exception, and ask them to push themselves to think about that. Especially older generations. I feel like people have a hard time coming to terms with [that] for some reason.
SJP Steering #1
If you’re doing a land acknowledgment in your class, or on your syllabus, or in your email, then you need to be also thinking about Palestinian indigeneity.
SJP Steering #2
As Americans, or as students at an American university, we are tied to the Israeli settler colonial state. Our tax money and our institutions’ money is tied in the occupation and in the oppression of Palestinians. It matters that we pay attention to what’s happening, and we work towards Palestinian Liberation.
The Outback Editor
Can you explain the importance of the Suspend Pitzer Haifa campaign for people who might not know about it?
SJP Steering #4
The program supports the [University of Haifa] which has ties [to the Israeli military], and the military is causing a lot of violence towards Palestinians. Also Palestinian students are not allowed on the program [because of the country’s policies]. Boycotting it would be highly [historically] significant.
SJP Steering #1
As an institution that supports academic freedom, there is no academic freedom for Palestinians at that school.
SJP Steering #5
For students of color in general, especially coming from Pitzer as an institution that has its core values of social justice, it shouldn’t have ties [to] the university that doesn’t treat students equally.
The Outback Editor
What do you want Pitzer’s president, Student Senate, and faculty — not just students — to be stepping up and doing right now? Especially as we transition to a new Pitzer president, and as the Senate might vote again on this program?
SJP Steering #1
We want faculty support for suspending Pitzer Haifa. We want the President to listen to the students, faculty, and the Pitzer and 5C community at large — because of all the reasons we have already said, but also because Pitzer claims to care so deeply about students’ values and beliefs.
The Outback Editor
As schools and universities are looking at Claremont SJP, is there anything that you would want to say to them? [Knowing that Suspend Pitzer Haifa is a model for other BDS campaigns], is there anything that you would add, knowing that this is now going to be on the internet?
SJP Steering #1
You’re always in community, and you struggle with us.
Claremont Undercurrents
What is this semester going to look like? What is the goal?
SJP Steering #1
I think the biggest goal is Suspend Pitzer Haifa. That’s really what we’re rallying towards. But there are also other opportunities to organize with us and be a part of our club. Ranging different time commitments; if you don’t have time to come to meetings, come to our events. If you have time to come to our meetings, but you don’t want to work on this BDS campaign, there are political education events and cultural events that we’ll be planning as well. Specifically for Pitzer, we really need all hands on deck. [We need to be] facilitating those conversations with faculty and helping us in that way.
SJP Steering #1
We will post events on Instagram … @ClaremontSJP.
SJP Steering #5
We’re excited for Jewish Voices for Peace (JVP) to have gotten started on campus. We’re really excited to do more work with them and partner with them… and look to them for support for our campaign.