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andrewtanyongyi.bsky.social
Interesting decision in a case in which a pro-Israel group and two Jewish students complained about pro-Palestine student protests that MIT had allowed.

In May 2024 I wrote as an alumnus to MIT President Sally Kornbluth to express support for pro-Palestine student protests at MIT.
Dear Sally, I write in support of the general motivation behind pro-Palestine student protests at MIT, even if I agree with reservations that protesters' specific demands infringe on academic freedom, and understand the logistic difficulties of ensuring safety at peaceful protests. I am also glad MIT will study how it can help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. However, characterization of the issue as "hotly disputed" and one of "sharp disagreement" is true in a limited sense only. Israel's long oppression of Palestinians has been noted by many including leaders of South Africa's struggle against apartheid, and recipients of Israel's prestigious Wolf Prize. International consensus that this conflict is rooted in historic injustice can be seen in the UN Secretary-General recognizing that Hamas' crimes happened in the context of "suffocating occupation" and the Non-Aligned Movement (120 countries) emphasizing their "continued efforts to put an end to colonialism, oppression, occupation and domination in the occupied Palestinian Territory". The Non-Aligned Movement also strongly condemned "the illegal Israeli military aggression on the Gaza Strip, the indiscriminate attacks against Palestinian civilians, civilian objects, the forced displacement of the Palestinian population", a position reinforced by the International Court of Justice finding "a real and imminent risk that irreparable prejudice" will be caused to the rights of Gazans to be protected from "acts of genocide and related prohibited acts". The intractability of the conflict is due in large part to the US not acting on the side of justice. UN Special Rapporteur Ben Saul has said that the US "has not been an honest broker in this dispute for many years", so "collective management of the problem is incredibly difficult". Academics4Peace (including MIT faculty members Olivier Blanchard and Daron Acemmoglu) have said that the "historic injustice continues unchecked because the US allows Israel to flout binding UN Security Council Resolutions". US opposition to international consensus on issues related to Palestine can be seen in the many UN General Assembly votes that pass with overwhelming majorities in favor of Palestine on issues including self-determination, UN membership, and Gaza ceasefires, and the many proposed UN Security Council resolutions vetoed by the US while receiving overwhelming majorities in favor of Palestine. So the student protesters should be understood as acting against injustice. MIT should take the side of justice. I therefore suggest MIT take 2 additional steps. (1) Undo disciplinary actions against peaceful student protesters. (2) Divest from companies that help Israel's oppression of Palestinians. It's worth studying what Trinity College Dublin is doing in this regard, as they have committed to divestment, while not agreeing at this moment to all student protester demands due to academic freedom concerns. Thank you for all your work for the MIT community. Best wishes and thanks, Andrew
October 26, 2025 at 6:25 AM
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April 30, 2025 at 4:07 PM
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April 26, 2025 at 4:03 PM
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April 24, 2025 at 4:03 PM
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...into a troubling blueprint for current actions in Israel. Comments promoting violence or vulgarity will be deleted.

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April 22, 2025 at 4:04 PM
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...undermine academic freedom. Comments promoting violence or vulgarity will be deleted.

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April 20, 2025 at 4:01 PM
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...of Israel and activism for Palestinian rights. Comments promoting violence or vulgarity will be deleted.

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April 18, 2025 at 5:58 PM
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April 16, 2025 at 4:03 PM
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April 14, 2025 at 4:06 PM
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April 12, 2025 at 4:02 PM
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You can read more at the link in our bio. Comments promoting violence or vulgarity will be deleted.

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April 10, 2025 at 4:04 PM
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April 8, 2025 at 4:01 PM
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March 31, 2025 at 4:00 PM
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March 29, 2025 at 4:01 PM
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March 28, 2025 at 4:02 PM
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March 26, 2025 at 4:03 PM
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March 24, 2025 at 4:01 PM
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...all while Trump targets pro-Palestinian students and lets white supremacists off the hook. You can access the letter at the link in our bio. Comments promoting violence or vulgarity will be deleted.

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March 21, 2025 at 4:00 PM
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March 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM
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You can access the interactive documentary "Jerusalem, We Are Here" at the link in our bio. Comments promoting violence or vulgarity will be deleted.

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March 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
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March 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM