The University of Kansas Student Senate overruled its president’s veto of a resolution denouncing Israel, titled “A Resolution to Recognize the Ongoing Genocide in Palestine.” Student organizations KU Hillel and KU Chabad continue to encourage students to use their voices to advocate for the Jewish community at KU.
The resolution passed on April 9 despite opposition and speeches by Jewish students. Jewish campus organizations KU Hillel, KU Chabad and the KU branch of Students Supporting Israel (SSI) all shared messages on social media criticizing the resolution and lauding the Jewish students who opposed it. Student Body President DaNae L. Estabine vetoed the resolution, but its authors — Jewish Students for People’s Liberation, KU Young Democratic Socialists of America and KU Students for Justice in Palestine — called for a revote on April 23. The revote overturned the veto despite additional speeches by Jewish students and President Estabine.
“Now that we know the fight to protect Jewish students is taking place in student government, KU Hillel will put more emphasis on encouraging students to use their democratic power to advocate for themselves informally through meaningful dialogue and formally by speaking up in council and assembly meetings,” said Ben Davis, assistant director of KU Hillel, “and we'll be here to support them at every step.”
“We’re actively encouraging our students to take on greater leadership roles so the Jewish community is represented to help shape the campus environment with integrity," said Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel, co-director of KU Chabad.
Davis and Rabbi Tiechtel said their organizations will continue to encourage students to push back against antisemitism.
“The biggest takeaway for Jewish supporters of KU is that it is up to all of us to build bridges, engage in dialogue and advocate publicly for the safety and security of Jewish students,” Davis said.
"At Chabad, we believe the most effective way to support our students is by fostering strong Jewish pride and deep connection to our heritage,” Rabbi Tiechtel said. “The more engaged and rooted our students are in Jewish life and tradition, the more inner strength and courage they’ll have to stand up for truth and push back against antisemitism.”
Since the resolution passed, Student Senate elections occurred, and a new student government will soon take office. In a joint statement on social media denouncing the revote on the anti-Israel resolution, KU Chabad and KU Hillel said they “look forward to working with the newly-elected student government to engage in the dialogue and bridge-building this student body deserves.”
“We know KU remains an incredible place to be a Jewish student based on the incredible support shown by KU staff, faculty, administrators and the overwhelming majority of the student body that the Senate chose not to speak for,” Davis said. “It's these allies and the courage of Jewish student leaders who will hopefully help turn this worrisome precedent into an isolated incident.”