UBC Hunger Strike Updates

Check back daily for more information on what is going on with the UBC student hunger strike. Each day will be summarized below. These updates are provided directly from the students participating in the hunger strike.

Day 8

Hunger Strike Day 8, Day 1 on Student Strike, Day 535 of Israel’s accelerated genocide in Palestine.

Israel killed 2 Palestinian journalists in Gaza, Mohammad Mansour and Hossam Shabat — killing 208 journalists in Gaza since Oct 7
Israeli army fired explosives at Red Cross building in Rafah. 6 medics still missing after Israeli army besieged rescue mission yesterday
57 Palestinians killed, 134 injured in Gaza in 24 hrs
17 year old Palestinian died in Israeli captivity – first documented minor killed in occupation prisons
Israeli army airstrikes targeted displacement tents, homes and schools across Gaza killing at least 11 people, including a child in Khan Younis, and raided a home killing 4 people inside; bombed tent in Nuseirat school-shelter killing 3 people including 2 children
In Gaza City, the Israeli army bombed home in Shujayea killing 4 people
Israeli army shelled a school in Tuffah
Israeli army targeted and bombed several cars across Gaza killing at least people, injuring 7
Settlers seized and settled in Palestinian home in Hebron Israeli army coordination
As of writing, 23 Palestinians killed in pre-dawn attacks in Gaza, including 7 children

Student Strike

As Israeli continued to commit war crime after war crime in Gaza and the West Bank, the UBC Hunger Strike, entering it’s 8th day, received a tremendous outpouring of support. The AMS sanctioned student strike for divestment began this morning. Students rallied at MacInnes Field, the site of last year’s 70 day encampment for divestment, then swiftly moved to the nearby bus loop. Picketing and chanting, within their charter rights, students expressed their deep dissent with the university’s lack of response institutionally to scholasticide, genocide and the vicious ongoing bombing campaign in Gaza. This peaceful and well organized student protest caused delays and an eventual 5 hour shut down of Canada’s busiest bus line.

The hunger strikers joined and supported the student strike. But the cold, rain, and fatigue of the 8th day of strike caused one of the strikers to retire early. They are now, after resting, feeling better, but need to curtail some of their physical exertions at this point in time.

The students eventually gathered their materials and dispersed, leaving the university with a clear indication as to the depth of their commitment. All other avenues of protest have been ignored by the administration.

Also today, students from UBCO, in solidarity with those at UBCV have launched a hunger strike citing "UBC’s double standards in investment practices and ongoing financial ties to weapons manufacturers and corporations designated by the United Nations as complicit in violations of international law.” They have stated the same demands as the Hunger and Student strikers at UBCV.

Meanwhile, the response from the UBC administration, now facing a hunger strike on both campuses, as well as a student strike? Silence. Cowardly, immoral, silence.

UBC administration you have the option to chose divestment at any time. Our protest has now gripped both campuses and shows no sign of stopping or slowing down. How much longer can you let this inaction stain your administration? History will not forgive, nor forget.

Day 7

Hunger Strike Day 7, Day 534 or Israel’s accelerated Genocide in Palestine. Israel committed multiple war crimes and massacres across Gaza today as we, the students, faculty, and staff of UBC continue strong in our hunger strike to try to shame the UBC administration into divesting from the companies that supply the Israeli war machine.

Israeli airstrike targeted Nasser Hospital’s emergency unit, killing 5 Palestinians including a Hamas political official while receiving treatment. Hospital now partially out of service — only 3 hospitals still functioning in south Gaza
The Israeli army besieged Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) paramedic team in Rafah; still no contact after over 15 hours as the Israeli army refuses to coordinate with the PRCS
39 Palestinians killed, 2 bodies recovered, 61 injured in Gaza in 24 hours
Israel targeted buildings & tents in Rafah & Khan Younis killing over 23 Palestinians including senior Hamas official Salah al-Bardawil & his wife while they slept in a tent. Many are still trapped under rubble.
Israeli army expanding ground invasion of north Gaza focusing on Beit Hanoon — released footage of troops firing at Palestinians
Israeli army besieges Tal al-Sultan near Rafah after ordering displacement to “safe zone” al-Mawasi
North: Israeli army attacks on Tuffah & Zeitoun killed 11 Palestinians; separate attacks on Beit Lahia killed 6 people

Massacres Throughout Gaza

Al Jazeera correspondent Anas Al-sharif reports the horrors on the ground.

civilians have been rounded up in a hole in Rafah and shot dead at point blank range
in north Gaza people are reporting they’re being bombed with weapons they haven’t been subjected to in the past.

In so called Vancouver, multiple organizations have put out statements today in support of and solidarity with tomorrow’s upcoming student strike for divestment, including McGill University, AGSA endorsement, Trans Coalition, HSA, and Sprouts. As student, faculty, staff, and community support continue to multiply, the only possible reason for the UBC administration’s silence is racism. It is only because this genocide is being perpetrated against the majority Muslim Arabic Palestinians that it is funded and encouraged by the powers that govern us. We call upon the UBC administration to remember it’s response to Russia’s aggressions against Ukraine, where it immediately, without prompting, condemned Russian human rights violations and encouraged increased support for Ukrainians, Belarusians and Russians. You also agreed to suspend current and future academic relations with Russian governmental entities indefinitely.

And yet 534 days into an accelerated genocide in Palestine, the UBC administration has failed to even acknowledge that a genocide is occurring, let alone made any move to divest from or boycott any institutions tied to the illegal Israeli occupation. This is a result of the racism inherent in our western colonial institutions, including UBC.

Will the administration finally respond to a student strike? Will it listen to it’s students, faculty, and staff, and members of the community, people of conscience who refuse to stand by while Palestinians are slaughtered in horrifying numbers on a daily basis? Or will it continue to, in it’s silence, further expose its racism in refusing to see Palestinian lives?

From the Hunger Strike Zone

The hunger strikers have lost 3kg each in less than a week, and have begun experiencing headaches, lightheadedness, exhaustion, insomnia, and skin problems. Their voluntary starvation, however, is a pale shadow of the devastating conditions facing Palestinians in Gaza, who are on their 22nd day of total siege. Apartheid Israel has cut all water, food, electricity, medical supplies, shelter, and humanitarian aid to over 2 million people living in a bombscape. As Professor Roosa stated in his teach-in titled “Hunger, Hunger Strikes, and the Bare Life” at the Hunger Strike Zone on March 20th, “there is an enforced hunger that [the Palestinians] have been living with, and there’s no reason for it. It is unexcusable. It is unjustifiable. Everybody knows that, and yet it continues to happen. And therefore we have to continue to resist.”

Day 6

Day 6 of the Hunger Strike and day 533 of Israel’s accelerated genocide in Palestine. As day 6 of the hunger strike concludes, the following atrocities have occurred at the hands of Israel:

Israel claims launching 200+ strikes on Gaza, Lebanon, & Syria since last night
128 Palestinians killed, 2 bodies recovered, 263 injured in Gaza in 48 hrs
Heavy attacks on north Gaza — killing 3 people including a child, injuring 5 near Beit Lahia; drone strike targeted tent camp killing 2 Palestinians; artillery fire in Beit Lahia killed 1 person
Israel launches deadly attacks across south Lebanon killing 7 people including a child & injuring 40 — claiming its in response to rocket fired from Lebanon for which Hezbollah denied responsibility
Major Israeli army airstrike on Tuffah (north) killed 5 Palestinians, 8 still buried under rubble. Drone strike targeted group in Tal as-Sultan (south) killing 4 Palestinians
120,000+ Palestinians displaced in Gaza in past few days
Breaking: Israel kills at least 18 Palestinians in pre dawn attacks on Gaza

Israel is using the holy month of Ramadan to further perpetrate its ethnic cleansing of Palestine, continuing its illegal settler colonial project. Palestinian families sitting down together for Iftar are being slaughtered in their homes. The weapons and intelligence technologies used to perpetrate this genocide are produced by all of the 17 weapon manufacturing and military technology companies in which UBC has invested at least $116 million dollars.

After 5 days of 12-hour shifts at Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya Place (formerly known as The Nest), the hunger strikers are resting at home over the weekend to build up energy to attend the student strike action on Monday March 24th on what will be day 8 of their hunger strike. The hunger strikers express their solidarity with the unprecedented 76% majority UBC Vancouver student vote calling for strike action for Palestine. Many campus groups have likewise written statements of support for the student strike, and some departments have determined to cancel all classes, showing the very broad base of support this student-led action has catalyzed. Large swathes of UBC students, staff, and faculty have had enough of UBC’s failure to respond to genocide and to uphold basic human decency. On Monday, many will voice their protest.

Students, staff, and faculty stand firm in their Hunger Strike demanding that UBC divest from these companies. The reality that this is something that the UBC administration is not even willing to acknowledge at this point is a disgusting stain on the institution that will remain forever. But the administration can still choose to do the right thing. Education should not be funded by human suffering. In coming together as a community to support the Hunger Strike, we are creating and fostering the bonds that will give us the strength and courage to continue the long fight for a Free and Just Palestine. The UBC administration has what would seem an easy role to play in this, and can easily divest from the war machine. We, the UBC students, staff and faculty, call upon the administration to do so. Immediately. And until this is accomplished, we stand strong in our commitment to the Hunger Strike.

Day 5

Day 5 Of the Hunger Strike and day 532 of Israel’s accelerated genocide.

590 Palestinians, including 200 children, killed in Gaza since Tuesday
Israel’s domestic intel chief confirmed that Netanyahu deliberately blocked ceasefire negotiations and progress
In North Gaza, an Israeli army airstrike killed 6 children and injured many in Tuffah neighborhood; an airstrike targeted a home in Jabalia killing 1 person; Israeli army sniped & injured a disabled Palestinian youth in Maghraqa village
Israeli army ordered immediate displacement of 3 north Gaza areas by threatening airstrikes
Israel bombed Gaza’s only cancer hospital
Israeli army tanks push into residential areas in Beit Lahia (North Gaza)
According to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society only 23 of 53 emergency vehicles are operational in Gaza due to total aid and fuel blockade
UNRWA flour supply to last 6 days in Gaza
Israeli army targeted a home in Khan Younis killing a mother & her child; drone strike injured 2 people in Rafah. Palestinians in Rafah flee to al-Mawasi amid intensified assaults

In The West Bank

Israeli army forcibly expelled 100 Palestinian families from their homes in Tulkarem.

The Conditions in Gaza

As the Israeli genocide in Gaza continues at a horrifying rate, we would like to make the administration aware of the following regarding the conditions for those still alive in Gaza.

First is the eradication of shelter by Israel, with over 90% of Gaza’s population displaced, and 92% of homes severely damaged or destroyed. This leaves over 1 million Palestinians in desperate need of shelter, as winter conditions are causing babies to freeze to death.

Second is forced starvation. Israel has destroyed 75% of Gaza’s croplands, 68% of cultivated land, 72% of Gaza’s fishing fleet, and 95% of livestock. This is also an ecocide and mass slaughter of animal life. Over 90% of people there now face dangerous levels of food insecurity. This makes the population almost entirely dependant on outside aid, which Israeli has been actively blocking since Oct 7th 2023. Malnutrition is making the population highly vulnerable to disease, especially the children and elderly. Right now, over 80,000 children need treatment for acute malnutrition which even if received now, will have caused permanent physical and emotional damage. This comes after the 18 year Israeli siege that has restricted the calorie count of the Palestinian population down to the last resident.

Third is a lack of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), with Israel having destroyed over 80% of WASH infrastructure. Due to Israeli’s 18 year siege on Gaza, the population already existed on below recommended levels. Currently, in Rafah and North Gaza, people have access 5.7L of water, enough for one toilet flush.

Fourth is the systematic destruction of Gaza’s healthcare, in over 650 attacks by Israel. Over 1000 health care workers have been killed, and only 60% of hospitals remain partially operational. Over 12,000 people are in urgent need of medical evacuation. This is a deliberate attempt to make Gaza inhospitable and to annihilate the Palestinians in Gaza.

Israel is a settler colonial project enacting a genocide of a people they have held under an illegal apartheid system for over 76 years. Every single day the situation gets worse, with Israel committing the most horrific atrocities we have ever seen in our lifetime, live-streamed. This must stop. UBC must divest. Your complacency is complicity.

The students have spoken. We do not want our scholarship money funded by human suffering. So we will continue, strong, in our hunger strike to this end.

From the Hunger Strike Zone

The hunger strikers are tiring more easily, often feel chilled, and notice mild changes to their skin and teeth. They are continuing with daily check-ins with no cause for alarm, and are still in good spirits. Renowned scholars have generously offered teach-ins at the Hunger Strike Zone of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya Place. On March 19th Glen Coulthard presented “Palestinians and Native Peoples are Comrades: The Political Economy of Indigenous/Palestinian Solidarity,” on March 20th John Roosa spoke of “Hunger, Hunger Strikes, and Bare Life,” and on March 21st Adel Iskandar presented “(Re)Drawing Palestine.” All three talks were livestreamed and highly appreciated by the audience and hunger strikers. Artist A.S. Dhillon also brought his art installation “School Colours” onto campus, where it became a photo opportunity for tourists and passersby, who took pictures of themselves standing beside the art when it was installed in front of the UBC sign at the entry to campus.

Day 4

As Day 4 of our Hunger Strike unfolded, Day 531 of the accelerated genocide by Israel in Gaza continues at a horrifying rate with over 600 Palestinians murdered in the last 3 days.

The Israeli army invaded north and south Gaza through Beit Lahia and Rafah. They blocked movement from north to south by Salah al-Din St by expanding the buffer zone along Netzarim.

Israeli army airstrikes targeted and flattened over 11 buildings across Gaza
85 Palestinians killed, 133 injured in Gaza in 24 hrs
Israeli army bombed homes in Khan Younis, killing over 15 Palestinians, injuring 40; a baby was rescued from rubble after her family was killed
Israeli army ordered forced displacement of 4th Khan Younis neighbourhood
5 UNRWA staff killed in Gaza in past few days

In The West Bank

Israel destroyed 87 buildings in Jenin, including 3-6 living units
Israeli army abducted 60 Palestinians headed to Al-Aqsa Mosque

"710 martyrs and more than 900 wounded were transferred to hospitals in the past 48 hours. 70% of the wounded are women and children, most of whom are in critical condition. Some wounded passed away from receiving no medical care due to a lack of medical equipment.” — Spokesperson for Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital

Today, the hunger strikers continue with more weight loss for participants, but they are in good spirits, and grateful for the positive interactions they are having with the community. Our team has expanded with the joining of a new member who has decided to show their support by beginning a hunger strike as well. The administration have not replied to any of the hunger strikers’ letters to date.

In light of having to witness the massacre of almost 600 Palestinians in 3 days, with many more wounded, the fact that the UBC administration is ignoring the Hunger Strike is absolutely despicable. How can any human being of conscience watch live, the murder of women, children, men, entire families, while the others not killed in immediate violence are starving, and dying from injuries and diseases that are treatable but for lack of supplies. The lack of response from the UBC administration only affirms us in our commitment to the Hunger Strike. We will continue forward with the great example of the Palestinian Sumud, steadfastness, as our example. Students are putting themselves at the risk of serious and permanent harm because we cannot live watching a genocide live on our phones. UBC, are you listening?

Day 3

On day 530 of Israel’s accelerated genocide in Gaza, the Hunger Strikers commenced day 3 of embarking on an extreme act of protest to call upon UBC to divest from the companies complicit in the Palestinian genocide.

Israel breaks ceasefire & launches new ground invasion — reoccupying Netzarim Corridor splitting Gaza in half again after its withdrawal a month ago, blocking movement. Israel continues intense bombing across the Gaza Strip.
70 Palestinians killed in Gaza today
Sporadic explosions in eastern areas of Deir el-Balah and escalating expansion in Nuseirat adjacent to Netzarim
Israel targeted a group of mourners in Beit Lahia (north), massacring over 16 Palestinians. Airstrikes targeting homes in Gaza City killing 2 people in Zeitoun and 3 people in Sabra
Explosive ordinance targeted UN-staff building in Deir el-Balah killing 1 Bulgarian staff member, injuring 5
Israeli army bombed vehicle in Rafah (south) killing over 5 people; drone strike targeted tent in Khan Younis killing 4 people including 2 year old child and injured another toddler
Israeli airstrikes target a food aid distribution warehouse and prayer hall in the Ma’an area fearer Khan Yunius
US strikes target Yemen’s capital for 6th day, injuring over 9 people

In the West Bank

IOF special forces raided al-Ein camp in Nablus, fired at car killing 1 Palestinian, injuring 3 & forcibly displaced 80+ families

Airstrike Toll on Gaza Tonight

Massacre at Abu Deeb family home – Bani Suheila
Massacre at Abu Daqah family home – Abasan Al-Kabira
Massacre at Al-Mujaida family home – Miraj
Massacre at Abu Daqah family home – Al-Fakhari
Al-Amour family home – Al-Fakhari
Development Barracks – Ma’an
Unidentified airstrike – Khirbet Al-Adas / Rafah
Jabr family home – Musbah area / Rafah
Massacre at Abu Nasr family home – Beit Lahia

As we find ourselves once again bearing witness, live, to a genocide in Palestine, watching ever worsening atrocities against innocent men, women and children, we are strengthened in our commitment to force the UBC administration to stand on the right side of history. Divest from the Israeli war machine. Educational institutions have absolutely no place funding genocide.

In response to concerns expressed by the community, the hunger strikers would like to share that they are continuing in good health although beginning to tire more easily than usual. One hunger striker has lost 1kg of weight but that’s to be expected from 3 days of not eating. Daily medical check-ins continue and do not suggest any reason for concern. In light of the newest escalation by Israeli, they stand firm in their commitment to hold UBC accountable for it’s investments.

We will not stop. We will not rest. UBC must divest.

Day 2

Hunger Strike Day 2 Palestine update and day 529 of the accelerated genocide in Palestine.

429 Palestinians killed, including over 174 kids as Israel ends the ceasefire
Netanyahu said violent attack on Gaza is “only the beginning” & ceasefire talks to happen “under fire”
Heavy attacks on north Gaza, bombed nearby specialized Gaza City hospital, killing many
Israeli occupation forces targeted a car in Khan Younis, killing 6 family members

In The West Bank

Israeli occupation forces shot & killed 25 year old Palestinian, injured 3 others amid Qalqilya raid
Israeli Occupation forces abducted 40 Palestinians in overnight raids
57 more bodies recovered from al-Shifa Hospital mass grave, including 40 unidentified; estimated over 160 buried in the area from Israeli attacks
Only 2 charity food kitchens in Gaza operating due to 16-day Israeli total aid blockade
3-story building sheltering displaced in Jabalia (north) collapsed from previous IOF attacks

Is this enough to get the UBC administration to act to divest against the war machine that is perpetrating these atrocities? How many more innocent children must we see slaughtered, lived streamed on our phones, before the administration is finally willing to act? We will stand firm in our hunger strike until the administration divests from complacency in the ongoing Palestine genocide.

Day 1

Hunger Strike Day 1 began with students, staff and faculty calling upon UBC to divest from the companies that feed the genocide against Palestine. Israel, after weeks of ceasefire violations, has violated the ceasefire in Gaza. In just 10 hours, Israel massacred over 412 Palestinians, including 130 children. These violent bombings happened across Gaza as people slept. Over 500 are injured and many remain buried under rubble amid strained rescue efforts. Entire families were wiped out.

“Intensity of bombing in western Gaza City was so violent that many people killed were thrown out of their buildings — their flesh was collected from the streets & the yards of other homes.” — Palestinian Journalist Hani Mahmoud

Israel deliberately bombed residential buildings, schools & public facilities that were turned into evacuation centres as most homes were destroyed or IOF-occupied.

Al-Shifa Hospital director: “Every minute, a wounded person dies due to lack of resources”. Gaza’s Health Ministry is asking for urgent blood donations as blood banks have been depleted.

Israel reissued expulsion threats for Beit Hanoun (north) and 3 Khan Younis neighbourhoods (south). Defence Minister Katz gave orders to block medical evacuations from Rafah crossing to Egypt.

In the West Bank

Tulkarem Governorate

The Israeli occupation army continued expelling citizens from Qaqoun and Abu al-Foul neighbourhoods in Tulkarem camp today.
Women and children attempting to enter Abu al-Foul neighbourhood were shot at and beaten by the occupation army.
Significant destruction to infrastructure, homes, and property was caused by the occupation.

Jenin Governorate

Israeli occupation tanks launched heavy fire at the al-Awda roundabout in Jenin camp.
Additional reinforcements were sent by the occupation army to Jenin city and its camp.

Nablus Governorate:

Palestinian Authority (PA) forces arrested Mohammad Bashkar, one of the prisoners freed in the first phase of the exchange, after summoning him for an interview.
A Palestinian youth was also detained by the occupation in Beit Furik, east of Nablus.

Hebron Governorate

A Palestinian elderly man was injured in the head after being attacked by settlers in Jaber neighbourhood, southern Hebron.
Settlers, under the protection of occupation forces, held rallies in Shuhada Street, preventing Palestinians from moving in the area.
Settlers, guarded by occupation soldiers, attacked a Palestinian house in Jaber neighbourhood.

Jerusalem Governorate:

Journalist Latifa Abdul Latif was arrested by the occupation in Jerusalem and her detention has been extended until tomorrow for a hearing before the occupation’s Magistrate Court.

The UBC administration, by refusing to divest from the Israeli war machine, is complicit in all of the above crimes. It should not take a dangerous form of protest like hunger striking to move the administration to act to divest. What happened in Palestine the day the strike commenced should be enough. But here we are. Hunger Strike Day 1. What will it take for you to act?

UBC DIVEST!