A collective of staff and students at Western Sydney University, has gathered to compose the open letter below. If you are a member of our community or a supporter, please add your signature and share widely.

Update: over 400 WSU staff, students and community supports have now signed!

Enquiries to: WSU4Palestine@gmail.com

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We, the undersigned, are writing as staff and students at Western Sydney University. We have come together as we are enraged and saddened by the genocidal actions being carried out by the Israeli state against Palestine and her people, and by the horrendous massacre of Israelis by Hamas. We are appalled by the dominant idea that the suffering of some is greater than the suffering of others. There should be no hierarchy placed on human life. As the scholar-activist, Ruth Wilson Gilmore says, ‘Where life is precious, life is precious.’  

To all people in our community, whether you are directly affected by this violence or whether you stand in solidarity, we hear you, and you are loved. 

WSU seeks to be a welcoming and safe environment, open to all. As a university committed to social justice, anti-racism, anti-coloniality, and Indigenous self-determination, we acknowledge the deep injustices faced by many among the communities that it serves. We support all students, be they Palestinian, Muslim, Jewish, or others from diverse communities affected, and acknowledge the racism, Islamophobia, and antisemitism faced by many in our community which is amplified at this time.  

As scholars and students engaged in research, we urge for an accurate understanding and acknowledgement of the roots of the current situation: 75 years of settler colonial occupation of Palestine and apartheid rule, as detailed by international organisations, including Amnesty International and the United Nations. 

As we live and work on Indigenous lands, we recognise that both Australia and Israel are outcomes of the same British/European colonial project, which is furthered by Western imperialism and is responsible for significant human suffering, environmental threats, and assaults on Indigenous cultures.

 Among us are Arab, Muslim, Jewish, and Indigenous members of WSU staff and students who rise as one to say, stop the occupation and join the call for a ceasefire now. All people deserve to live in peace and security. 

Signed,

 
Professor Alana Lentin, Western Sydney University
Professor Cristina Rocha, Western Sydney University
Professor Juan Francisco Salazar, Western Sydney University
Professor Philippa Collin, Western Sydney University
Professor Linda Briskman, Social Work, Western Sydney University
Dr George Morgan HCA WSU
A/Prof Anne Jamison (WSU)
Professor Ned Rossiter, Communications, Western Sydney University.
Professor Paul James
Professor Heather Horst
Professor Michael Head
Dr Alex Ling, Western Sydney University
Associate Professor Corrinne Sullivan WSU
Dr Selda Dagistanli, Western Sydney University
Associate Professor Lucy Nicholas
Distinguished Professor Anthony Uhlmann, Western Sydney University    
Ien Ang, Distinguished Professor, Institute for Culture and Society
Dr Penelope Rossiter, Western Sydney University
Associate Professor Tanya Notley, HCA
Charles Barbour, Western Sydney University
A/Prof Sukhmani Khorana (UNSW)
Tony Bennett, Emeritus Professor, Western Sydney University
Dr Quah Ee Ling, Western Sydney University
Dr Vassilios Adrahtas, WSU
Dr. Michelle Catanzaro, Western Sydney University
Associate ProfessorJennifer Mensch, Philosophy, WSU
Associate Professor Naama Blatman, WSU
Dr Michelle Kelly (ICS Research Officer, Institute for Culture and Society, Western Sydney University)
Dr Kate Fagan, SoHCA, Western Sydney University
Dr Karena de Perthuis, Western Sydney University
Associate Professor Louise Crabtree-Hayes
Senior Lecturer, Cameron McAuliffe, Western Sydney University
Dr Dianne Dickenson
Associate Professor Nida Denson, Western Sydney University
Dr Declan Kuch, VC Research Fellow, Western Sydney University
Dr Sherene Idriss, Western Sydney University
Dr Alison Gill, Western Sydney University
Postdoctoral Research Fellow Adam Sargent, Institute for Culture and Society
Dr James Jiang, Editor, Sydney Review of Books
Helen Tran, Digital Communications Officer, SRB
Michael Karadjis, Western Sydney University - The College
Prof. Greg Noble, Institute for Culture and Society, WSU
Dr Felicity Castagna, The Writing and Society Research Centre
Dr Souheir Edelbi, Lecturer, School of Law, Western Sydney University
Antoinette Abboud, Western Sydney University
Associate Professor Ben Etherington, Western Sydney University
Dr Arunima Kishore Das, Western Sydney University
Dr Alexandra Coleman, Western Sydney University
Dr James Gourley, School of Humanities and Communication Arts, WSU
Israa Merhi, Student at Western Sydney University
Iman Etri, Public Engagement Officer, Writing and Society Research Centre
Maria Bhatti, Law Academic
Dr Alanna Kamp, Western Sydney University
Durga Owen
Dr Diane Colman
Tareq Saleh
Kathleen Openshaw Western Sydney University
Dr Jenna Condie, School of Social Sciences
Marlain Fares
F Allam - UWS Alumni
Mariam Ahmed, Nursing student, Western Sydney University
Dr Rosie Shorter
Miss Ayda Alazaizi, student at Western Sydney
Linda MacMillan, Western Sydney University
Charlie Barjel
Meda Couzens, WSU Law
Miss Zunaira from WSU paramatta city
Dr Rangika Palliyaarachchi, School of Law
H. Bowd, Western Sydney University
Mr. Hussein Allam, student of WSU
Maryam Maghchouch
Eleni Christou - ex WSU Research Staff
Dr George Haddad, Western Sydney University
Lidya Rivai- WSU SRC Vice-President Education Post-Graduate
Yolla Makhoul, Psychologist
Ian Carter
Kian Aspinall
Tara - Parramatta South WSU
Nujhat Ahmed, student at Western
Zeinab El Arja bachelor of psychology student (honours)
Kathia Doueihy, 3rd year hons student
Georgia Manion - student
Noora Hamid, Macquarie University
Daniel Jantos
Ms Mariam El Cheikh, Student
Student of the School of Psychology
Richard Martino
Ms. Fitriana Nugrahati
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Emma Mitchell, ICS
Mariama, RN, WSU
Dr Phillip Mar, Western Sydney University
Miss Maisaa Ismail. WSU.
Huda Zaman, WSU Student
Allie Student WSU
Uchka
Rayanne Hamze
Shanlee
Mrs Nidal Zrkoshe
George (Kev) Dertadian; Senior Lecturer in Criminology, UNSW
Thilakshi Mallawa Arachchi, PhD student
Terence Fairclough
Sarah Duffy
Dr Ashlee Gore WSU
Dr. Shima Shahbazi, School of Social Sciences, WSU
Kazi Rashid, Western Sydney University
Dian Sari
Zarlasht Sarwari
Dr Susie Latham
Mehrnosh, Western Sydney University
Anderson Christie
Dr Jennifer Cheng, Western Sydney University
Bahje adlouni
Ms Sehar fatima
Spencer Knowles
Jeremiah Saufoi
Daniel Carrington
Niamh Zoechmann. Student
Sarah Alzoubi - SoSS
Liam Magee, Principal Research Fellow, Institute for Culture and Society
Dr Joshua Kalemba, Western Sydney University
Russell Thomson, Statistical Consultant, WSU
Jane Wakefield
Dr Liwan Liyanage - Western Sydney University Australia
Emma Rich, Research Facilities Administration Officer Western Sydney University
Dr Erika Smith, Western Sydney University
Dr Melinda Jewell, Western Sydney University
Fitnat Zeidan
Rimple Mehta, Western Sydney University
Navindhra Naidoo Director or Paramedicine, Chair: EDWP SOHS
Hussein Beydoun
Dr Ranjith Liyanapathirana, Western Sydney university
Ariana Thompson- SoHs and SoSc Professionals
Dr Amie Matthews, School of Social Sciences, WSU
Lemah Orya
Zahra khakany, Humanities
Dr Bradley Gooding, Associate Lecturer, Western Sydney University School of Law
Sahar Tabbouleh Western Sydney University Student Community officer
Clare Fisk, student
Amira Aftab, WSU
Dr Oznur Sahin, Western Sydney University
Julia Kantek, Western Sydney University
Kylie A Steel
Huda
Layall Elhassan
Dr Melissa Phillips, School of Social Sciences
namiya syeda WSU
Miss Tiffany Patricia Sharpe - Western Sydney University
Samiya Rahaman - Student
Ajantha Niroshani
Sohayb Badaui tcm student
Romonda Eid, SRC WSU
Dr Evan Atlantis, School of Health Sciences
Asrah Sobh-Student
Sarah elmarouk, WSU. free Palestine!!!! 🇵🇸
Erica L, student
Mrs Reem Rendell, Western Sydney University
Rayan Shatnawi. Western Sydney University Student.
Mia D Bates
Faisal Sayani, Western Sydney University
Nasrullah Rajab Ali WSU Student
Sofiyah McCormack. BTCM student, Campbelltown campus.
Sabbrine Fatima el-zaghir
Ibrahim, student and casual staff
Dr Benjamin Muir, Humanities and Communication Arts
Valentina Baú
Chris Andrews, adjunct associate professor, WSU
Shabnam Siddique
Laura-Rose Freeman (Student at WSU)
Dr Zelmarie Cantillon (Institute for Culture and Society)
Jinan Daher, lawyer.
Professor Hart Cohen, Western Sydney University
Dr Tegan Daylight
Kimberley Moutia, Project Officer WSU
Rahela Bano
Suaad Khalaf
Wafa Zaman, Student
Lena Badeen SECRETARY of Assyrian Students Association
Joe Roche, WSU
Zakria
Nuveira Ali
Prue Adams, PhD Candidate, School of Education, Western Sydney University
Fatima Tariq
Dawoud Zarandah
Mariam Asal
Matshepo Molala
Megan Smith - student
Alaa
Mariam El-Cheikh Issa
Samara, Western Sydney University student
Ahmed Usman. WSU
Yuya Win
Nuzhat Uddin
Irtiza Ahmed
Yazmin Agha
Fariha Mian
Aya El-Safadi
Dr Emily Wolfinger (SoSS, WSU).  In solidarity.
Dr Myvanwy Hudson, UNSW
Eman Tahir
Professor Susanne Gannon, Western Sydney University
Dr Quah Ee Ling, Western Sydney University
Lilly Moody, Centre Manager, Young and Resilient Research Centre
Associate Professor Chris Peterson, Western Sydney University
Saad Sajid, Student.
Dr Shawna Tang, University of Sydney
Muniba Qamar
Nina duric
Joanne Alameddine
Marlene  Hamed
Marwa Mojab
Tasneem jacobs
Jumania Furmie
Sarah Elrahi
Sarah Maghchouch
Declan Leathem
Dana
Grant Murray, Student Representative Officer, WSU
Nimi Techi
Anika Hussain
Ghanieh Daghagheleh
Kuwthar Aumarah (Student, WSU Law School)
Nicole Campbell, PhD student ICS
Rachel Sharples
Mariam Mansour
Associate Professor Jacqueline Ullman
Shanice Kameya
Dr Harry Fairless, Western Sydney University
Memahny Serhan
Esther Nwosu. Student at Western Sydney University/ School of Law
Karen (Kaz) Monaghan
Angela McGurn - Alumni
Roemeta Kalid
Emily Yali
Johana Vulawalu.
Malik Allah Yar Khan
Richard Xu
Suhemah
Manar Al-Hassani, SOM
Yaama
Jen Dollin WSU
Ryan Thorneycroft, School of Social Sciences
Heidi Mandwie, student
Skye-Ann Anderson WSU - Hawkesbury
Shifa Zubair
Chris Ansah
Hayley Coghlan (Alumni)
Safia, Western Sydney University Student
Josephine Sharp
Justine Youssef
Deborah Prospero, Western Sydney University
Sara Rahem, WSU Graduate
Geoffrey Peterson
Dalia Obaid (alumni)
Tasnim El Hassan
Fozia Afzal
Kai Yee Goh
Ms Coralie Properjohn. TeEACH Research Institute
Ridhi Ravi
Professor Megan Watkins
Zaman Ahmed
Salim
Yasmin Homsi
Shaymah Al Nasere
Ms Aili
Dr Rob Mezyk, Associate Lecturer, Western Sydney University
Adilah Salim
Eva
Ella Rowe
Katie Blair, WSU Alumni
Keerah Eid
Lilly May Hindmarch
Lisa De Luca (Macquarie University)
Dia Blunden
Diana Bliuc
Rachel Coulter
Miss Fatimaalzhra Al-Saegh
Cris Townley, Researcher, Western Sydney University
Amani Haydar - guest lecturer
Iqra Naseer, school of psychology student and ambassador
Omaim Al-Baghdadi, School of Law
Rohen Snowball (WSU student)
Batool Al Nakeeb
Jessica Lumbroso Greater Sydney Landcare
Hayley Boes
BEA - WSU student
Jeyne Wade. Pari ARI.
Nabila Haidar WSU medicine
Clara Siry WSU student
Bless Faapaia Leota. WSU Undergrad Student.
Israa Aly - School of Social Work
Yasmine, Student at WSU
Hadia Student at WSU
Aisha Aljabery student at parra/banks
Saja El-Hage Student at Bankstown/Parramatta south
Janine, (we ask WSU to make an official statement calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza)
Lujayn Merhi
Faye Jawad
Sarah Rustom
Samanda Mularachchi
Amy Nye
Danielle Byron
Anthony Serrano, student
Dr Alex Baumann School of Social Sciences
Brook Armstrong
Jostina Basta, WSU
Dr Lynette Anderson, Western Sydney University
Daniel Pitman, researcher and sessional academic
Ellie Raper
Madacine Vitale, Student of the School of Psychology
Souhad eldannaoui student at Bankstown/parramatta
Fatina Kotina
Dawn Sabljak
Angela
Rassel Muraywed - Student
Pei Yeo
Sehar Butt
Ahmad Sabbah (Structural Project Manager)
Dr Deborah Wilmore
Fadwa Nikro
Dr Ghufran Alhassani, Associate Lecturer SoHS
Amina Reslan, Student
Angela Smith, Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Elena Piper - WSU Library
Joanna Argyropoulos - School of Psychology Student
Sophie Stevenson, student
Sneha Rose Jacob
Dr Rosalie Liwela Power
Wafa Zaman, Student
Sultana Bashir
Ayat -  WSU Student
Syeda Aqeedat Zahra Grad dip student Counselling
Dr Leticia Funston
Imran Abdu
Harrison Barrett, Student, WSU
Ana
Tagrid Yassine, PhD Student, Translational Health Research Institute
Izabella Morabito
Jazlyn Richards
Dyontae Barnes
Dr David Caelum Arness, Western Sydney University
David Soriano
Yulita Bassilious, Student Services Hub
Dr Firdaws Karim, Western Sydney University
Dyontae Barnes
Yahya Al-faraj    
Dr Yasmin Tambiah    
Dr Jan A. Ali, Western Sydney University
Professor Denis Byrne, Western Sydney University
Alison Downham Moore, Associate Professor of History & Medical Humanities, Western Sydney University
Professor Brett Neilson
Lavelua Walter        
Tenesha Kumar        
Eugenie Corre. student        
Leilani Tatuila        
Zahra Tabboush, Western Sydney University        
Geneva Valek - 2023 Graduate of the Bachelor of Arts (Dean's Scholars), and previous staff member.        
Satya Patel, Western Sydney University student        
Nicole Traynor, MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour & Development, Western Sydney University
Dawoud T, WSU Alumni
Bobby Banerjee, Adjunct Professor
Jasna Pirija, Alumni
Amneh WSU student
Madeline Lee, Social Work student
Tahir Ali Hussain. Engineering student at WSU.
Zahra Akbari
Tanvir (Western Sydney University)
Ayat J
Aya Sakkar (WSU student)
Samina Rakhshani - Student
Nicola Tsoutis - WSU student, School of Science
Adam Hammoud, WSU student
Melissa Lamb - Student WSU
Safia Noori
Alzahra Khan
Intissar Zeidan
Kathia Doueihy, student, school of psychology
Fatima Nahar. BA graduate and primary teaching Student at WSU.
Jasmine, Student at WSU.
Erum Sana Nawab, student, Western Sydney University.
Nabila Mangal- WSU student
Maxwell Willcocks Western Sydney University
Nicole Devine
Hoda Al Hassani, Western Sydney Uni student
Anushka Goswami, Undergraduate student at Western Sydney University
Manjot Kaur
Mahwish Western Sydney University
Battoul Saleh
Eda Yuksel - student
Umi Pujiyanti - WSU
Carol, school of psychology student
Jett Wilde (Student)
Carlos Vasquez - WSU student
Rosalie Atie
Phoebe Croxford - student - Graduate Research school
Carielyn Tunion - Postgrad student, WSU
Dominik Ivesic Western Sydney University Student
Zahra Nabilah , WSU student
Dr Rhonda Itaoui
Dr Jason Tuckwell, Humanities and Communication Arts
Helen Tran
Rannie Singh, Student at Western Sydney University
Glenn Mason, Western Sydney University
Dr Miro Bilbrough
Suzanne Gapps, Writing & Society Research Centre
Prof Miroslav Filipovic
Vivian Pham, Writer and WSU Alumni
Prof Dr Jasna SAMIC, écrivain français et bosnien
Dr Edward Mariyani-Squire
Jordan Pardoel, MSW student
Mahwish, Student
Jess Gleeson, Director, Data Integrity, Quality and Operations
A/Prof Emma Power