25 April 2022
Commentary
The Collegian: 5
Israel storms al-Aqsa mosque, injuring 158
Conflict between Israel and Palestine has been steadily increasing over the past few weeks. Hana Saad Student Writer Almost two weeks ago, Israeli police stormed al-Aqsa mosque, wounding 158 Palestinian worshippers. The violence continued into this past week, with Israeli soldiers showing excessive force by firing rubber bullets and tear gas at worshippers, who threw stones and launched rockets at Israeli forces in return. The conflict escalated as Israel launched air raids in the central Gaza strip on April 21. The al-Aqsa mosque is located in Eastern Jerusalem and is important to both Muslims and Jews. A law passed in 1967 bans any non-Muslims from praying at the site of the mosque. Tensions are especially high right now since Ramadan and Passover coincide during the same month.
planation for why the conflict has escalated in April. “The situation in Sheikh Jarrah in occupied East Jerusalem, triggered by threats of forced evictions of Palestinian families; the heavy presence of Israeli Security Forces and violence around the al Aqsa mosque during Ramadan; the severe escalation of attacks from and on Gaza; and the shocking incitement to racial hatred and violence in Israel have all led to vicious attacks and mounting casualties in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and in Israel.” This statement illustrates Israel’s part in creating the conflict. Oftentimes, Israel and the West use the militant group Hamas to justify the Israeli army’s shocking cruelty toward Palestinain people, acting as if they are merely trying to defend Israel. Although Hamas has engaged in violence and acted in ways that, in part, prevented both parties from moving toward peace, Israel is the one occupying Palestinian land, which they forcibly took from Palestine in the mid-twentieth century. This is only a very brief summary of the history, but provides some of the context needed to understand the present conflict. In 1917, Great Britain gained control over Palestine and allowed Zionist groups to settle in Palestine. The conflict surged in the 1940s and from 1947 to 1948 there was a Civil War in Israel. There were casualties on both sides, but the Palestinians ended up suffering more because they had to either become refugees or stay as second-class citizens. During the Civil War, the Israeli military resorted to tactics of terror as a way to get
rooms and communities. The stories we tell about Israel and Palestine erase much of the struggle and violence that Palestinians faced from colonization. It also erases the fact that the Israeli government and military continues to occupy Palestine today through unjust means. Israel is often seen as the ally of the US fighting against Palestinian terrorists, which is enough justification for the violence that Israel commits against people of all ages. Considering that the US is not ready to face their own history as a colonizer who also committed violence and attempted to destroy the lives of Indigenous people in this country, it is not surprising that the US government and many of its citizens seem to either not understand or not care about Palestine.
Take a hard look at what’s happening in Palestine. There have been casualties on both sides, yes, but the harm done to Palestinians goes deeper than just the recent conflict. Their lands, homes and places of worship are being taken from them, often through violent means. No one appears to be safe from Israeli soldiers, be it a child or a grown man. People around the globe need to start truly seeing what is happening in Palestine and realize the injustice of the situation instead of simplistically pitting Palestine and Israel against each other by always insisting it is Hamas or groups of violent Palestinians starting the conflict. It is so much more than that. Where is your rage, tears and sadness for Palestine?
“No one appears to be safe from Israeli soldiers, be it a child or a grown man.” A day before, ultra-right nationalist Israeli protesters gathered near the mosque, chanting “death to the Arabs” according to reports from Al Jazeera. This is just one example of how the situation in Palestine and Israel is at a dangerous place. UN Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet provided a succinct ex-
Palestinians out of the country. From 1948 to 1949, around 80 percent of Arabs were forced from their homes in Palestine, which is now referred to as the al-Nakba conflict. Only 20 percent of Palestians remained. For those who are allied with Israel, such as the US, the history of Palestine is one that is not talked about nearly enough in class-
courtesy @FriendsofAlAqsa on Twitter In response to the Israeli attack on Masjid al-Aqsa, people from all walks of life from across the UK gathered together in support of the Mosque and its attendants.
hicle fail to stop at a posted stop sign and proceed through the intersection. Officers issued a warning to the driver. Copy of report forwarded to Student Affairs for their review.
April 14 9:45 pm University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers responded to a call regarding an individual sleeping against the Collins Fitness Center. Officers attempted to escort the individual off property, but they refused to leave. Officers contacted Tulsa Police Department (TPD). TPD arrived and arrested the individual for public intoxication. A contact card was made. 12:00 am Sex Offense: Fondling 3:15 am University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security received a phone found at Fisher West. The owner was reported aware of the phone being turned in. Property placed in impound for safe keeping. 10:45 am University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers were dispatched to Mayo Village parking lot to investigate vandalism. Officers discovered scratch damages to a vehicle with tires cut on the sidewall. The owner informed officers they have no knowledge to whom caused the damages. The Tulsa Police Department (TPD) was declined by the owner to investigate on scene, and they will file a report with TPD at a later time. Copy of report forwarded to Physical Plant and Student Affairs for their review. 1:00 pm University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers were dispatched to Mayo Village Apartment for a welfare check. A student had body pains after exercising. A family member informed officers they were unable to make contact with the student. Officers made contact with the student at their
9:20 am University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers made contact with a University of Tulsa affiliated student to report property damage at Mabee East Lot. Officers observed a Chevrolet Corvette with large scratches and paint loss on the rear passenger side. The student does not know the cause of the damages and does not wish to file a report with the Tulsa Police Department. Copy of report forwarded to Physical Plant and Student Affairs for their review. residence and the student informed officers they did not wish to seek medical treatment. Copy of report forwarded to Housing and Student Affairs for their review. 6:50 pm While on routine patrol, University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers identified a vehicle in the Keplinger Law lot that matched the description of a non-university affiliated vehicle that had been previously reported stolen by TPD (Tulsa Police Department). The Tulsa Police Department was notified, responded to the scene and had the vehicle towed from campus. 10:00 pm University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers investigated a complaint of marijuana odor coming from Lorton Village apartments. Upon arrival, officers located the source of the smell and made contact with the residents. Inside of the apartment were multiple university affiliates with alcohol and loud music present. Officers conducted a search of the apartment and located marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia. Officers impounded the marijuana and paraphernalia. Copy of report forwarded to Housing and Student Affairs for their review. April 15 5:40 am University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security received a student identification card found at the Reynolds Center. The owner was identified and contacted. Property placed in impound for safe keeping. 7:35 am While on routine patrol, University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers conducted a traffic stop Officers observed a ve-
April 16 8:15 am University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers impounded a found purse at the Mayo Village Apartments. The owner was contacted, and the property returned. April 17 6:15 pm University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers conducted a welfare check on a student at John Mabee Hall. Officers determined the student was not under duress and advised them to contact their parents. Copy of report forwarded to Housing and Student Affairs for their review. 8:55 pm University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers responded to a hit and run at West Park. The Communications Center observed a vehicle reverse into a parked vehicle and then flee the scene. Officers made contact with the suspect and determined they were not a university affiliate. The owner of the parked vehicle, a university affiliate, did not want to file a complaint with Campus Security or the Tulsa Police Department. Copy of report forwarded to Housing and Student Affairs for their review. April 18 6:05 pm University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers responded to a fire alarm at the Delta Gamma sorority. Officers located the fire panel which read smoke and proceeded to clear the room located on the fire panel. The room had a blow dryer that was smoking inside of it. Officers cancelled the Tulsa Fire Department. Contact was made with the student resident who advised the blow dryer had started smoking while they were using it. Officers reset the fire panel
and gathered a statement. Copy of report forwarded to Housing and Student Affairs for their review. April 19 11:15 am University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security received a set of keys found at the Allen Chapman Student Union. Officers were unable to determine an owner. Property placed in impound for safe keeping. 4:35 pm University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers made contact with two minors skateboarding on the Lorton Performance Center dock. Officers trespass warned the individuals, and a contact card was made. 9:25 pm University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers responded to Fisher South Hall to investigate a report of marijuana odor. Officers located the source of the odor and confiscated marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia. TU students found in possession of the marijuana and paraphernalia were referred for conduct violations. Officers took a written statement from the reporting party. Copy of report forwarded to Housing and Student Affairs for their review. April 20 5:30 am While on routine patrol, University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers observed a suspicious posting on a bulletin board in Kendall Hall. Officers removed the posting at the request of their supervisor. The investigation is ongoing. 10:25 am University of Tulsa Campus Safety and Security officers responded to a report of a suspicious person at the Case Athletic Center. Officers made contact with the person who then ran eastbound, towards S. Harvard Ave and off campus. The Tulsa Police Department was contacted due to the person having a potential mental health crisis. A contact card was created. April 22 12:00 am Sex Offense: Fondling 12:00 am Sex Offense: Fondling The Collegian does not produce or edit the Campus Crime Watch except for content and brevity.
