ceasefire Brings Relief, But Campus Activism Persists at UCLA and Beyond
A recent ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has led to the release of roughly 20 living hostages back to Israel, following their capture during the October 7th attack in which approximately 250 hostages were initially taken. In exchange, Israel released around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners. While the agreement marks a pause in fighting, students at UCLA and other universities indicate that activism surrounding the conflict will continue.
The Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed during IsraelS war. The cessation of hostilities has been met with cautious optimism by students on both sides of the issue.
Sophia toubian, an data studies graduate student at UCLA and a supporter of Israel, expressed hope that the hostage release signifies a turning point. ”I hope that it is a long-lasting peace, and it doesn’t just start right back up again – and that that translates into our experience hear, both at school and just in the world,” she said. Toubian noted a visible increase in pro-Palestinian support on campus. “every building that I go into on campus… without fail, I’m seeing something up on the wall about Palestine – supportive of Palestine,” she observed. “It wasn’t there before, and… it’s kind of up there in a way, like, ‘Yeah, of course, we all agree that this is the way that this shoudl be, and so we’re going to show support of this thing.’ In that sense, it does feel like a success.”
Gal Cohavy, a pro-Israel senior at UCLA, also expressed hope for improved dialog.He believes the ceasefire could “allow people across the ideological spectrum to find common ground,” and anticipates “more real conversation going on, and perhaps bridging a gap between the two sides and seeing cultural progress.”
The Jewish student publication at UCLA, Ha’Am, released a statement reflecting a sense of relief. “Since October 7, 2023, Jewish spaces have been places of grief, quiet, and emotional support for a community in turmoil. Today, as we enter those same spaces, the atmosphere has changed. There is a genuine sigh of relief in the air, a collective exhale, and the comforting knowledge that our brothers and sisters on the other side of the world are finaly safe once again.”
Though, the period as October 7th has been marked by increased tensions and consequences for students involved in campus protests.Reports of antisemitism, and also anti-Muslim and anti-Arab incidents, have risen at colleges nationwide as 2023. Arrests, suspensions, and expulsions of pro-Palestinian students and groups have also increased, though the majority of Los Angeles students detained during protests last year did not face criminal charges.
At UCLA, two Students for Justice in Palestine groups were banned this year after allegedly vandalizing the Brentwood home of a UC Board of Regents member who is Jewish, using imagery described by Jewish community leaders as employing antisemitic tropes.
Stanford University experienced a notably charged incident, with a group of pro-Palestinian students facing felony vandalism and trespassing charges for allegedly breaking into and vandalizing the university president’s office during a 2024 protest. A Santa Clara County grand jury indicted the remaining 11 students this month, moving the case toward trial.
Staff writer Karen Garcia contributed to this report.
