Western Silence and Indifference

The mass violence underlines the brutal reality of world power dynamics in today’s world, most glaringly in the case of the war that Israel continues to wage against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank. The shocking indifference and silence of the Western political, social, and cultural institutions betray an uneasy complicity with violence. As massacres continue, it seems that these bodies are interested more in maintaining the status quo than human rights as such, almost cheering for what most of the world labels as genocide.

It seems there is no moral problem among Israelis regarding such celebrations as in pictures and videos about destroying Palestinian life. Such an atrocious culture of fostering further violence can only exist in Israel. Similar language is still evident in pro-Israel rallies across Europe and North America. Declarations of lamentation regarding Palestinian deaths are always followed with the qualifier that they had to die: a vicious cycle to absolve the oppressor and further victimise the oppressed.

Policymakers’ Inability to Implement Change

The most disturbing aspect of this crisis is public ambivalence, which seems to persist. Policymakers privately condemn the situation in higher institutions but claim helplessness in implementing change. Such inaction is an implied acceptance of the continued violence and indicates a necessity for actual action against the genocide.

At this point, the only measure that can provide real leverage on Israel is the BDS movement. Condemnations and statements of sympathy are empty words lacking economic and political cost. It is evident that without severe material pressure, Israel will not budge.

But often, University administrators, citing complexity or Jewish safety concerns, dismiss BDS as unfeasible. This is ever more coming to be known as merely a smokescreen to further the self-serving interests of the institutions and not to take a stand on the side of Palestinian rights against the perpetual violence but by taking a stand against the pro-Israel lobby groups. The backlash of accusations of anti-Semitism will keep these places from ever standing up and making any kind of political statement on the matter.

Environment of Fear among Institutions

Even institutions with no concrete economic interests in Israel are reluctant to speak candidly in support of BDS, suggesting a very often pervasive environment of fear that institutional reputations have to be preserved rather than principles. The lie of inaction is not the lack of knowledge but instead, a desire to avoid offending powerful pro-Israel groups.

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The growing schism between student activists and University administrations signifies a possible crisis of legitimacy for such institutions. Student protests increasingly portray universities as abettors of colonial violence and genocide. As public discourse shifts, those who do not answer the call for BDS stand at risk of being called agents of oppression, joining in with a history of racism and imperialism.

The gap will widen if the colleges remain deaf to the outcry over justice. If people withdraw their support and cease attending these institutions, perhaps an even more extreme devaluing of the missions being served by the present faculty and staff might lead those institutions to face catastrophic evaluations.

Role of Universities

As a way to avoid this potential catastrophe, universities must acknowledge the complicity of such establishments with the oppression of the Palestinian people. They should move on to respond to student demands. In tandem, universities can exert influence over their respective governments and institutions that enable and sustain the actions of Israel. The strategy that seeks to demonise protesting students while collaborating with the machinery of the state may ensure short-term advantages. Still, in the long run, this may prove a recipe for disaster.

The West needs to face the fact that it was involved in genocide or be held accountable for silence and complicity in allowing these genocides to occur. The world is watching, and history will not forget those who disregarded suffering.