BELLINGHAM, WA. – (KGMI.com) Western Washington University’s president released a statement on Friday, November 3rd, reassuring the Jewish community ahead of an upcoming rally on campus.
Sabah Randhawa’s email to students brought attention to a rally planned for Wednesday, November 8th, that includes the slogan “One Solution: Intifada Revolution.”
Randhawa noted the word intifada’s Arabic origin, meaning uprising or rebellion, and its specific use to describe violent attacks against Israeli citizens.
He also addressed the term “One Solution” and its similarity to Nazi Germany’s “Final Solution.”
Randhawa emphasized the importance of safety for Jewish members of the community, regardless of the slogan’s intent.
He says the university continues to stand for free speech and assembly, but also has the right to protect the community from any expression aiming to “harass, demean, threaten or incite violence.”
Randhawa says Western has been holding a series of conversations about community building and creating a sense of belonging on campus.
The next session is this Wednesday, November 8th.