Around two dozen students and faculty gathered for their first weekly “Gaza Solidarity Fast” in Bobst Library on Wednesday, calling attention to theongoing famine in Gaza and demanding that NYU disclose its investments in companies with ties to Israel.

NYU’s chapters of Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine and Students for Justice in Palestine organized the fast to educate community members about what they described as the Israeli government’s “engineered-famine” on Gazans. Participants registered online and agreed to show up to a unique on-campus meeting site — this week, the library — between 9 a.m and 4 p.m. wearing white, and fast from sunrise to sunset. The fast will continue every Wednesday of the semester, and FSJP said around 60 people pledged to participate so far.

CAS professor and FSJP member Sonya Posmentier said that since protests scaled at NYU following Oct. 7, 2023, NYU has barricaded or restricted access to most areas previously used for protests and vigils — such as thePaulson Center lobby, theKimmel Grand Staircase andGould Plaza. She said that Bobst, where President Linda Mills’ office is located on the 12th floor, is one of the few on-campus locations available to convene. 

“There’s just a decreasing number of spaces on campus that are accessible for gathering or expressing any kind of political sentiment,” Posmentier told WSN. “This is one of the few spaces we have left where we can be together and be visible.” 

The organizers handed out flyers containing information about the demonstration, as well as QR codes that direct people to register for the fast and donate to the Gaza Mutual Aid Solidarity.  Those unable to fast can sponsor another participant, and students on meal plans are encouraged to donate swipes to local mutual aid organizations.

A Wagner graduate student and SJP member Sara Lam told WSN thatIsrael’s recent interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla vessels, which attempted to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, emphasizes the need of “persistent” protest efforts. In a Monday Instagram post, the City University of New York’s chapter of FSJP announced thateight campuses and administrative offices will also participate in the fast.

Members of FSJP and SJP, who also demanded that the U.S. government halt military assistance to Israel, handed out stickers, flyers and articles relating to starvation in Gaza and encouraged participants to attend education programs and workshops about fasting. They alternated shifts in the library, with participants coming and going throughout the day.

In December, NYUsuspended 13 students who staged asit-in on the 12th floor of Bobst, demanding the university disclose its investments in companies with ties to Israel. A few months later, nearly 30 NYU Law studentslost access to most university buildings after holding another 12th-floor sit-in. 

“We came to be part of an educational conversation with anyone here who wishes to participate,” Andrew Weiner, FSJP member and Steinhardt professor, told WSN. “We mean to demonstrate to the administration who have offices in this building that the same solidarity movement that was mobilized around the student encampments is still going strong, and will not be deterred or repressed.”

Contact Leena Ahmed at[email protected].