To our students and those being impacted by the violence in Palestine/Israel, we see you, we stand with you, and we are here to support you. This is a human rights crisis with large losses of life.
Violence in Palestine/Israel has escalated since mid-April with constant conflicts between police and Palestinians. As a result, Hamas fired airstrikes into Israel and Israel retaliated with airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. Many innocent civilian lives have been lost, and the casualties continued to increase. As of Friday, May 21st, 2021, Hamas and Israel agreed to a cease-fire, but there continues to be loss of life across Palestine/Israel.
The UNBSU is committed to engaging in anti-colonialism and anti-racism. We do not condone any forms of violence or discrimination, and our advocacy must extend to all human rights in our community and beyond. We encourage all UNB students to educate themselves on the situation and we are committed to supporting you in any way we can.
We recognize that our team represents a lack of diversity and does not understand what students who are affected by this issue may be experiencing. We are not equipped to provide all of the support you may require, however, if you are looking for support, we have included a list of resources available to you below. If there is a resource you are looking for that we have not included, please send us a message and we will do our best to direct you to a resource available to you.
We want to hear from you on how the UNBSU can better support you through this overwhelming time. You can find a typeform on our website and at the link in our Instagram bio to provide us with feedback on how we can better support you, or to share resources that you would like our executive team to review. You can fill out this form anonymously or leave your email address if you would like, and we will follow up with you.
We also recognize that exposure to constant news from this heartbreaking situation is taking a toll on students’ mental health. The UNBSU is committed to listening to you and supporting you. If you have any questions or feedback, please fill out our typeform or contact us directly.
For immediate support, check out:
CHIMO Helpline - (505) 450-HELP(4357) or http://www.chimohelpline.ca/
Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868 or https://kidshelpphone.ca/
To book an appointment with a UNB Counsellor:
(506) 453-4820 or counsel@unb.ca
https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/studentservices/health-wellness/counselling/
If you’re an International Student, looking for advising or advocacy, check out:
International Student Advisors Office - (506) 453-4860 or isao@unb.ca
https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/studentservices/international/
If you require extensions, deferrals, or withdrawals from summer course requirements, please contact the Student Advocate:
Wilfred Langmaid - (506) 453-4527 or langmaid@unb.ca.
https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/studentservices/student-conduct/advocacy.html.
If you are looking to learn more about the history or current situation of violence in Palestine, check out:
Follow
@theimeu
@letstalkpalestine
@visualizing_palestine
@palestinianyouthmovement
@solutionsnotsides
@realbassameid
@buildingpeace_israelpalestine
Watch
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1wo2TLlMhiw
Books to read
Freedom Is a Constant Struggle by Angela Y. Davis
The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler-Colonial Conquest and Resistance, 1917-2017 by Rashid Khalidi
Palestine Speaks: Narratives of Life Under Occupation (Voice of Witness) by Cate Malek and Mateo Hoke
The Question of Palestine by Edward W. Said