An Open Letter to the University of Aberdeen
By Tomas Pizarro Escuti
Dear Principal and Vice-Principals,
I hope this letter finds you well,
I am writing to you on behalf of students who are deeply concerned by the Israel-Gaza war that has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people and is posing an imminent threat of an even greater catastrophe. We would like to propose that the peace flag be raised at King's College as a symbolic act in support of innocent civilians and an end to war.
The University of Aberdeen is dedicated to the pursuit of truth in the service of others. The only undeniable truth in this conflict is that peace is always better than war. In this spirit, we believe that it is important that our University takes an active stance on this serious humanitarian crisis. The events unfolding in Israel and Gaza have the potential to lead to one of the worst tragedies of the 21st century, and the University of Aberdeen should not stand idly by.
The conflict, which commenced on October 7, 2023, has witnessed an unprecedented level of violence and loss of life, impacting both the Palestinian and Israeli populations. Hamas launched a cowardly multi-front attack on Israel, firing thousands of rockets and infiltrating the heavily fortified border in several locations by air, land, and sea. The attack caught Israel off-guard, and thousands of innocents died.
In response, Israel has vowed to annihilate the Hamas movement that rules the Gaza Strip. Israel has also retaliated with airstrikes and a total siege of the Gaza Strip, cutting off its water, fuel, electricity, and food supplies.
The potential escalation and involvement of other nations in this conflict are deeply concerning, amplifying the urgency to take a stand for peace. The Israeli military's warning to evacuate 1.1 million people in northern Gaza and the looming threat of a ground offensive only exacerbate the suffering of innocent civilians, who should never be pawns in a geopolitical struggle.
It is evident that the civilian population in the Gaza Strip is facing an impossible situation, and any attempts to forcibly relocate them to the already overcrowded southern Gaza would result in untold human suffering. The United Nations and various aid groups have highlighted the impracticality and the immense harm such a forced movement would inflict on an already densely populated region, where 2.3 million people are trapped and unable to leave. Millions of lives in Palestine and Israel are at stake, and it is imperative that we stand together for peace, advocating for an end to this unending cycle of death and destruction.
In line with the University's international commitments and the values we uphold, I respectfully request that the Senior Management of the University consider this proposal. In the past, our University has demonstrated support for the Ukrainian cause. Today, we urge that the University stands for peace.
Thank you for considering this request.
We look forward to your positive response and hope that the University of Aberdeen will take a stand for peace during this critical time in history.
Yours Sincerely,
Tomas Pizarro Escuti
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