FAQ

Who organized this exhibition?

The exhibition was authored by Independent Jewish Voices Carleton, and organized by the Carleton for Palestine Coalition in collaboration with Carleton Students for Justice in Palestine and the Carleton University Human Rights Society. The project was supported by several academic institutions at Carleton University.

Where can I learn more about the genocide in Gaza?

To learn more about the ongoing genocide in Gaza, we recommend exploring a range of resources, including academic articles, reports from human rights organizations, and firsthand accounts from those affected. The Carleton University Human Rights Society has put together a list of trustworthy sources.

We also recommend the following for an introduction to the topic:

1. The Palestine Academy - Palestine 101 Course

2. Decolonize Palestine - Introduction to Palestine Course

3. Al Jazeera - What’s the Israel-Palestine conflict about?

Why should I focus on Palestine when other institutions around the world are also facing educational repression?

The fight did not start nor will it stop with Palestine. While academic repression is indeed a global issue, the current situation in Palestine is especially urgent due to the systematic and widespread nature of the attacks on educational institutions, scholars, and students. The concept of scholasticide—the targeted destruction of educational systems and academic communities—represents a form of cultural genocide that erases not only the present but the future potential of entire communities. Highlighting Palestine does not diminish other struggles. Rather, it strengthens the global fight against academic repression by drawing connections, building solidarity, and advocating for universal academic freedom and human rights.

What can I do to help?

There are several ways you can make a difference:

1. Educate Yourself and Others: Learn more about the situation in Palestine and the concept of scholasticide. Share your knowledge, attend related events, and engage in discussions to raise awareness.

2. Advocate for Change: Use your voice to call for action within your academic and local communities. Write to university administrators, participate in campaigns, and support initiatives that promote academic freedom and human rights in Palestine and beyond.

3. Host the Exhibition: Bring this exhibition to your university or community to educate others about the ongoing assaults on education in Palestine, helping to amplify the voices of those affected and foster greater understanding and empathy. Find out more HERE.

4. Donate: Consider supporting families directly affected by the crisis through verified GoFundMe campaigns. The "Operation Olive Branch" (OOB) spreadsheet provides a list of fundraisers for families in Gaza. By contributing to these campaigns, you can offer vital assistance to those in need.

Doesn’t an academic separation undermine the concept of academic freedom?

The academic separation we advocate is directed at institutions, particularly those that support, participate in, or benefit from the Israeli occupation, oppression, discrimination, and genocide of Palestinians. We do not target individual scholars. This distinction is crucial, as the separation is a response to the role that certain academic institutions play in supporting or perpetuating systemic oppression and human rights violations in Palestine.

Our aim is not to limit academic freedom but to hold these institutions accountable for their complicity in injustice. We fully support the academic freedom of individual scholars and encourage their continued collaboration and exchange of ideas. We recognize the impact of Israeli scholars such as Ilan Pappé, Tom Segev, Benny Morris, and Avi Shlaim. These are all scholars who have attended institutions such as Haifa University, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, and other schools that we are pushing for a separation.

Is scholasticide only applicable to Palestine?

No. While scholasticide is especially pertinent to the situation in Palestine due to the extensive and systematic attacks on educational institutions and academic communities, it is not exclusive to this context. The term can be applied to any situation where there is a deliberate and systematic effort to dismantle or destroy the educational fabric of a community.

For example, during the first five years of the American War on Iraq, school attendance dropped by almost 70%, at least 280 academics were killed, and 30% of all professors, doctors, and engineers left the country. 

This is scholasticide.

During the first two years of the Russian War on Ukraine, more than 3,500 educational institutions have been damaged, with the cost of repair estimated at over $14,000,000,000. According to Amnesty International, Ukrainians living in Russian-occupied territories are often punished for seeking their native education. Parents oftentimes chose to hide their children in fear of them being sent to "re-education" institutions, and usually endure schooling in hiding to avoid punishment.

This is scholasticide.

In Palestine, the severity and scale of these attacks are especially pronounced, making it a critical example. However, recognizing and addressing scholasticide in Palestine will also illuminate similar patterns of educational repression elsewhere, strengthening the universal need to protect the fundamental right to education everywhere.

My school won't allow us to host the exhibition on our campus! What can we do?

This situation raise concerns about academic freedom. Universities are spaces where critical dialogue and the exchange of ideas should be encouraged, especially on issues of human rights and social justice. Denying students, faculty, and community members the opportunity to host an exhibition such as this undermines these principles. Similar exhibitions, such as unissueddiplomas.org, have been hosted by universities across Canada, highlighting the importance of academic institutions as places for open discourse. Our exhibition, which has been vetted by several respected academics, departments, and equity professionals, is no different.

If your school refuses to host the exhibition, consider these steps:

1. Challenge the Decision: Engage with your school’s administration, faculty, and student organizations to discuss the importance of academic freedom. Highlight the precedent set by other universities and the exhibition’s academic and educational value.

2. Explore Alternative Venues: Look for nearby community spaces, such as public libraries, cultural centres, or other institutions that may be willing to host the exhibition. These venues can still reach a broad audience and support the exhibition's goals.

3. Organize Virtual Alternatives: If physical space is not possible, consider hosting virtual events like webinars or online discussions. We can provide digital resources to help create a meaningful virtual experience that aligns with the exhibition’s themes.

4. Raise Awareness: Even without the exhibition on campus, you can still promote its message through social media, informational sessions, or smaller events focused on the right to education and academic freedom.

Remember, advocating for the exhibition is also an opportunity to defend the broader principle of academic freedom at your institution. For more support and resources, please contact us.