ANN ARBOR, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Nearly 200 students and supporters gathered in support of Israel at the Diag on the University of Michigan campus on Wednesday, demanding the return of civilian hostages taken by Hamas on Oct. 7.
The immediate aftermath of the surprise attack by Hamas on Israel in October resulted in more than 1,000 deaths and several hundred hostages being taken by the terrorist organization. According to Israel, more than a hundred still remain hostages.
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Ahead of the event, the student club Wolverine for Israel advertised for the rally on social media.
“Join us as we commemorate the 6 months after 10/7 in a peaceful rally to bring our hostages home,” the group said in a statement on Instagram. “Show your support for Jews, Israel, and our campus community.”
Pro-Israel Club responds to online threats at the end of March.
According to the club, a student in an organizational leadership position at the University of Michigan pledged “utter death to every single individual who supports the Zionist state. Death and more. Death and worse.”
In response, the club expressed its pride as Zionists and Jews.
“As history shows, our identity is rooted in courage and resilience, not fear,” the club said in a statement. “We will not be intimidated. Not by Hamas, not by Hezbollah, and certainly not by the antisemitic terrorist-supporting entities lingering on our campus.”
The club also expressed how this is “not an isolated event; rather, it epitomizes a larger trend of escalation orchestrated by anti-Israel groups, enabled by the neglect of University administration.”
UM works to address public input as groups protest new proposed school policy.
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In the wake of UM seeking student and community input on a proposed “Disruptive Activity Policy,” a group of students staged a walkout protest regarding the university’s pro-Israel stance a week ago.
The walkout came shortly after a group of pro-Palestine students interrupted the university’s 101st annual Honors Convocation, calling for the university to divest funds from Israel.
One of the groups outside of UM supporting the efforts against the new policy, is the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan.
“We believe the proposed policy is vague and overbroad, and risks chilling a substantial amount of free speech and expression,” the letter said. “We recognize that the University has an interest in carrying out its operations without major disruptions; however, in attempting to achieve that goal, the proposed policy sacrifices far too much.”
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UM President Santa Ono shares with the public the university will consider the input.
“All of this feedback has been heard and is valued,” UM President Ono added. “The university will not rush the development of this new policy; we will ensure all voices have an opportunity to be heard; and we will carefully review all the comments we receive.”
He did not provide a deadline for when the policy would be finalized and enacted.
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