Dear Earlham College,
As members of the Earlham Alumni community, we stand firmly in solidarity with the indigenous people of Palestine who have resisted Israel's violent settler colonial regime for seventy-five years. We are extremely disappointed by Earlham’s silence regarding the violent events unfolding in Palestine, predicated upon the dehumanization of Palestinians, and lack of support towards the SJP and affected students.
This silence in the face of the mass genocide of Palestinians is not in keeping with the Principles and Practices we were taught as Earlham students, and which we now live by and promote as an extension of the Earlham community. As stated in Earlham’s Principles and Practices, “we aspire to work actively for the building of the institution of peace through equitable and nonviolent resolution of conflict, the removal of causes of violence and injustice, the relief of suffering, the equitable sharing of resources and the addressing of the roots of conflict and violence in our own behavior.”
The college’s privileged silence demonstrates that Earlham is not a space for questioning violent injustices, but rather an institution committed to preserving the status quo of settler colonialism in its many forms.
We call on Earlham’s administration to:
1. Take a public, moral, and humane stand against Israel's bombardment of Gaza and genocide of the Palestinian people.
2. Call on Senators and Congressional Representatives to demand an immediate ceasefire.
3. Divest from all arms manufacturers and U.S. and Israel-based companies complicit in the destruction of Gaza and the ongoing occupation and dispossession of Palestinians, no matter the time, energy, and effort needed.
4. Formally apologize to Palestinian students and alumni for staying silent for 30+ days and for not offering the necessary support to students who are affected by the situation in Gaza.
We caution that a lack of response to these demands and continued silence towards Palestine and her people, will break our faith in Earlham and the values it purports to stand for. Without swift action, we alumni, standing with the current students, will no longer feel comfortable in supporting Earlham as this present silence and inaction is a dishonor to the college’s principles.
Earlham swiftly took a public stand for Ukraine early last year, one day after Russia’s invasion. Its silence towards Palestine has been heard loudly for the last 30 days. We demand an immediate answer to this open statement. With every passing day, hundreds of innocent Palestinians are being brutally murdered.
The benefits of Earlham’s commitment to peace and justice must extend far enough to reach the college’s Palestinian community. Your silence mocks your mission (once again).
We need to know that our alma mater practices what it preaches.
In unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people,
Members of the Earlham College Alumni Community
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Alumni
“To my beloved Earlham, you taught me so many things including love, keeping an open mind and to stand up for what's right! As a Palestinian student at Earlham, I felt valued and appreciated because everyone I interacted with knew the truth and valued my experience. Today, I ask you to do the same. Please stand up for what's right, please do what you have always done; the right thing. I hope that my beloved Earlham stand up in the face of injustice and breaks the silence. Free Palestine.”
—Bashaar Jarbawi, Class of 2016
“In the words of a famous Quaker: "Right is right, even if everyone is against it and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it." William Penn (1644 – 1718) Even if it might not be the 'popular' option, I implore Earlham to make the right decision to contribute to a just and peaceful world both in and outside the borders of the campus.”
— Kubra Kasikci , Class of 2014
“Earlham should be leading by example. Be the people you want students to look up to. Don’t be silent.”
—Eva Marotta, Class of 2023
“Free Palestine, and may Earlham honor its radical Quaker roots”
—Sophie Wood Brinker, Class of 2012
“Free Palestine.”
—Graham Pines, Class of 2020
“Former JCC member and Jewish American in support of SPJP and justice for Gazans.”
—Alex Goldberg, Class of 2015
“Love you Earlham. Please continue to be on the just side of history like you always have!”
—Sitashma Thapa, Class of 2020
“History respects people and institutions who did the right thing in the face of adversity.”
—Kristina Brunner, Class of 2017
“I am an EC alum from Palestine. Earlham failed me and every other Palestinian student/alum. Our families and loved ones are dying. Speak up!!!”
—Zaid Daana, Class of 2020
“Earlham should get on the right side of history and refuse to support a brutal genocide.”
—Taylor Mock, Class of 2008
“The Earlham community introduced me to Palestinian Awareness and community organizing. Thanks to the students and international community, I grew as a person and fundamentally transformed how I saw my role in the world. This community is capable of courage, compassion, and respect for persons. Please honor the legacy of past students and past generations.”
— Kiara Kamara, Class of 2022
“‘Never again’ means never again for anyone!”
—Rosie Jacobson, Class of 2010
“Earlham Alumni unwaveringly stand with Palestine. Divest from the companies complicit in the subjugation of your students.”
—Kaitlyn Brunner, Class of 2017
“Earlham teaches us to be critical and to see the world from various perspectives. There is no perspective where a ceasefire is not the answer, other than the perspective of an oppressor. It is the right thing to do, and if we don't do it now, things will get worse. Our work in social justice will seem meaningless, and our promise to be a 'catalyst for good' is a lie. Please don't fail, and do whats right for the people of Palestine.”
—Rossa Darni, Class of 2013