Over the past year the organization Students for Justice in Palestine at the Ohio State has grown widely known not only on campus, but at a national level. They have utilized innovative efforts of creating acknowledgement of the war in Gaza through demand based organizational efforts such as educational sit-ins in public spaces, and peaceful encampments that senselessly resulted in firearms being pointed at protestors from the top of the Ohio Union. Although their organization has been around for over a few decades, the incident of Oct.7th forced them into the action based activism and educating of the Ohio State community that SJP is known for.

In an interview conducted with SJP co-presidents Jineen Musa, a third-year in health sciences, and Malak Hamed, a fourth-year in psychology, they shared their experiences with balancing their own university working against them and gathering the community to help the movement that is so closely tied to  their identity.

“Our university has taken such a stance that is so gross to me, because other universities were at least empathetic to their Palestinian and Arab students, where they would put out a two-sided statement or at least acknowledge that something has been happening in the Middle East— but that’s not our university,” said Musa.

Since Oct. 7, 2023, none of the statements sent out by Ohio State discussing the war in Gaza have mentioned Palestine once. 

Their statements ignore the amount of Palestinians who have been killed by overly exemplifying Hamas. The lack of acknowledgment implies a dismissive stance, prompting SJP to meet with university staff about regarding their position on the issue.

”We did have six meetings with the administration, and in those were the acting president at the time, as well as Ted Carter. Melissa Shivers was present in each of those meetings,” Musa said. “In those meetings, we gave them demands of simple things like putting out a statement addressing that Palestinians are being murdered, and they just continuously ignored that instead of stepping in the campus conflict.” 

The lived experience of the SJP’s organizers only deepens the meaning and impact  of the movement, as well as the university’s response and lack of validation. 

”I go to Palestine every couple years, and it would be so frustrating. As a kid, people would tell me there’s no such thing as Palestine, then I would see all the signs of apartheid: the wall, the raids, the military walking the streets. And it’s just so frustrating for me, because I’ve lived it and I’ve experienced it,” said Hamed.

Alongside their continual efforts and momentum as a direct result of the Oct. 7 conflict, SJP has continued to host events and spread awareness towards the rising number of Palestinian deaths at the hands of Israel. 

“Showing that this is an urgent issue, that we need to continue showing out for, is important. We’ve also been trying to do different types of actions and demonstrations, not just protests but also cultural things, fundraisers to keep people engaged,” Hamed said. 

The mental strength that it takes to continue fighting a year later has consistently presented itself  not only for the members of SJP but for the grander Palestinian community. . However,  SJP continues to fight.

“Understanding that whether we are organizing here or not, that this movement is going to continue and that there are people in a place that will continue to fight gives me hope,” Musa said. “We each have a place to play, so if the most you can do is posting, that’s better than nothing. Finding ways in your busy schedule to make time for Palestine means the most.”