NFSJP December 2025 Message
We Must Keep Our Eyes on Gaza
The putative ceasefire between Hamas and Israel that went into effect on October 10 has proven illusory, marking a slowing of genocidal violence rather than its cessation. In the month since the agreement was reached, Israel has killed at least 242 Palestinians and injured 622*, extended its blockade of desperately needed aid despite having agreed to allow it in the Gaza Peace Plan†, and is carrying on with the targeted, and widespread, destruction of Gaza's built environment‡. This follows a long pattern of the Israeli state flagrantly violating ceasefire agreements while counting on the unconditional support of the United States. In this context of continuing genocidal violence and complicity, it is incumbent upon those of us who stand in solidarity with the struggle for Palestinian liberation to reject this counterfeit peace. The Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine national steering committee urges all chapters and members to keep their attention on Gaza and continue their strong and sustained organizing in pursuit of justice for Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and beyond. Organizing efforts to date have already borne fruit, such as the AAUP's recent victory in federal court (AAUP vs. Rubio) against the Trump administration's policy of arresting, detaining, and deporting non-citizen students and faculty for pro-Palestinian speech#, MIT's decision to cut ties with the Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems, and the decision by the American Association of Geographers to divest from eight weapons manufacturers including, Lockheed Martin, RTX, and Palantir. In addition, pro-Palestine student protesters at MIT were vindicated by a federal appeals court ruling that "Little of what occurred can be deemed antisemitic merely because plaintiffs declare it to be so.” These successes underscore the effectiveness and the necessity of continued effortsto spotlight the Palestinian struggle for human rights and self-determination. At a time when the student movement has been ruthlessly suppressed, our FSJP community has a responsibility to keep the Palestinian cause visible and active on campuses. Our efforts are needed now more than ever.
† https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/11/1166295; https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/1/israel-still-blocking-most-gaza-aid-as-military-carries-out-more-attacks
‡ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0mxylxw48yo
§ https://imeu.org/resources/resources/fact-sheet-israels-history-of-breaking-ceasefires/410
# https://www.aaup.org/news/court-rules-aaup-v-rubio-trump-admin-violated-first-amendment