Loyola claims to uphold Jesuit values, but they don’t stick to them when it really counts.
The administration has made no substantial statement to stand with Palestine against the Israeli Occupying Forces. In fact, the first mention of Gaza in a university email came on Oct. 19, 2023 from university president Xavier Cole, 12 days after Hamas launched an attack against the IOF in response to decades of illegal Israeli occupation, settlements, and violence.
The first time Palestine was mentioned was in another email from president Cole on Jan. 16, 2024.
101 days and 24,000 dead later.
Now, it’s been over 150 days of the genocide perpetrated by the Israeli government and the Loyola administration still has not choosen to stand on the side of the State of Palestine and the Palestinian people.
In front of Monroe Library, lay 12 stones that showcase the Jesuit values Loyola “upholds.”
Supposedly, Loyola cares about “International and Global Perspective,” and right now, nothing else has been dominating the international community like the genocide in Palestine has been.
Where is that perspective now, when Palestinian people are being slaughtered for their land?
Loyola does not show “Special Concern for the Poor and Oppressed” in this case. The Palestinian people are being oppressed by the Israeli Zionist entity, forced to identify their friends and family by dismembered body parts.
How can Loyola claim to uphold this value when they make no stance?
Loyola is not “Linking Faith with Justice” for the Palestinian people. Justin Daffron, vice president for mission and identity, says that “the time is now, for us to challenge ourselves and our Loyola community to pursue a faith that does justice which elevates the human dignity of all people.”
Nowhere in Loyola’s actions is this value or statement represented.
Loyola says it values “Effective Communication,” but where was that communication when Israel increased their violence toward Palestinians? The administration made little effort to reach out to Palestinian, Muslim, and Arab students to offer support to them during a time of grief and anger.
While Loyola has not explicitly said that they side with Israel and genocide, their actions continue to show who they truly care about.
Loyola hosted an event on Feb. 24 that centered around the Israeli national anthem and featured pictures of Israeli hostages.
The event took place in the Communications/Music complex and student IDs were disabled to prevent access to the building for the duration of the event. LUPD officers stood at each entrance and prevented anyone not registered for the event from entering the building. Students who had booked time in the studios were blocked from entering the building.
This is coming from the same school that prevented a vigil for Palestinians from being held for over three months due to alleged safety concerns.
Loyola needs to take a stance on the Palestinian genocide and stand with their Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, anti-Zionist Jewish students, and community members.
To do anything less is standing on the side of murderers and racist nationalists.
Over 30,000 people have been murdered. How many more have to die until Loyola will stop being cowards and hiding behind false neutrality?
