Good afternoon President Pollack,

 

I write to you today to report the results of the Student Assembly Referendum. I have compiled to the best of my abilities a summary of both sides of each question from the over 150 pages of submitted comments as required by our charter. 

 

 

 

While there is a general understanding that Cornell making a statement on the war in Gaza will not make a tangible impact with our voice alone, it adds to the chorus of those speaking out against the atrocities in Palestine. As an educational institution committed to promoting peace, justice, and human rights, Cornell University should call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The loss of life and humanity in Gaza is overwhelming; more than 30,000 Palestinians, including 25,000 women and children and close to 200 aid workers have been murdered by the IDF with U.S. weapons since Oct. 7. Condemning the actions of the Israeli government is about standing on the right side of history. If Cornell continues to stay silent and not call for a ceasefire, then we, in the face of injustice, had a voice and did nothing. Staying silent means hiding behind the cloth of ignorance and safety while millions of people suffer. It is a moral imperative that we as a University call for a ceasefire in Gaza. The International court of Justice has opened an investigation into the conflict in Gaza determining that it is “at least plausible” that Israel has committed Genocidal acts.

 

 

As an academic institution dedicated to the perspectives of all its constituents, Cornell University does not have the duty to comment on the decisions of foreign governments. While members of our community are free to speak and believe what they wish, it is not the duty of the University to take a stance. Israel has a fundamental right to defend itself and that is what it is doing in Gaza. Israel has eliminated over 10,000 Hamas combatants. If a ceasefire is announced then there is a possibility that Hamas regains power and continues its brutal attacks on the State of Israel. This referendum places all the blame on Israel when Hamas has been the ones who have continued to turn down a ceasefire. 

 

 

 

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Summary of Pro Statements: Cornell University as an institution should not be complicit in the deaths of human beings in Gaza or elsewhere. By investing the endowment in such companies, we as an institution are contributing financially to the deaths of others. The fact that the ICJ found plausible cause to open up an investigation into the actions of Israel on the grounds of Genocide, and given that ICJ rulings take years to be released, Cornell University has a responsibility to divest now. The Board of Trustees has an obligation to follow its own guidelines and divest from countries and companies that are acting on or complicit in genocide.  The 10 arms dealers listed above supply Israel with the tools of death they need to perpetrate these crimes against  the people of Palestine. Not divesting in South Africa has maintained a moral stain on the University since the opportunity arose for us to take action — do not let the same thing happen again.

 

Summary of Con Statements: Cornell should continue to grow its endowments regardless of what its investments are. Cornell isn’t directly contributing to loss of life by investing in companies that do far more than produce weapons. Any company's products can be used for good or for evil and in the case of Israel, those weapons are being used for good to eradicate terrorists in the Middle East. While a case has been brought against Israel by South Africa in the International Court of Justice, the ICJ has not yet determined if Israel is committing a genocide, which is contrary to the message that has been spread. The Board of Trustees has an obligation to follow the rules it has created yet there is not sufficient evidence to back up the assertion of genocide.

 

 

 

 

The Undergraduate community of Cornell University has made its voice overwhelmingly clear. I along with my friends, colleagues and peers would hope that you listen to the will of the people at this University. I urge you and the Board of Trustees to both stand against the needless death of millions of Palestinians and raise the question of divestment to preserve the principal mission of our university for a better future for all.

 

Yours sincerely,

Patrick Kuehl ‘24

President of the Student Assembly - Cornell University

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