On Sunday, February, the Pitzer College Student Senate made the decision to suspend Pitzer’s study abroad program with the University of Haifa in Israel. This resolution follows renewed efforts by activists in the wake of the October 7th attacks by Hamas and the subsequent conflict in Gaza.
The initiative to suspend the program was led by Claremont Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace. Their resolution calls for the suspension of Pitzer’s partnership with the University of Haifa and all Israeli universities until they cease what the resolution terms as “complicity in Israeli apartheid and ethnic cleansing.” According to the resolution, Israeli universities are viewed as complicit in the oppression of Palestinians by the Israeli state.
In response to the resolution, Pitzer College clarified that the Student Senate’s decision does not reflect the official stance of the college nor does it represent the views of all Pitzer students. The college emphasized its commitment to principles of academic freedom and conducive learning environments, indicating potential opposition from the President if such a resolution were to be officially proposed.
This is not the first time activists have sought to suspend Pitzer’s study abroad program in Israel. In 2018, both the Faculty Senate and College Council voted in favor of suspending the program at the University of Haifa. However, the then-president, Melvin Oliver, vetoed the resolution.
