Equity Network continues to stand in solidarity with the Palestinian Movement for total liberation. In response to McMaster University’s proposed agreement to be held accountable, we offer the following additions, clarifications and reflections:
“McMaster’s International Strategy Advisory Committee (ISAC) will develop a framework for human rights considerations in international agreements. The first Committee meeting to discuss this issue is to occur before the end of May. A working group comprised of ISAC members and a member of the MSU and GSA will develop the framework beginning in the fall 2024. Student members of the working group will be selected by the chair of ISAC and from nominations made by the respective student union Presidents. Nominees will be selected based on their education and
experience (1) .”
“Develop a framework”, “Advisory Committee”, “Committee Meeting”. This word salad from administrators of neoliberal institutions is too familiar. Again and again, institutions try to dilute and deflect from their complicity in genocide using jargon. Palestinians are being murdered in Rafah as we speak. There is no time for these long and winding lengthy processes. Stop deflecting and divest now!
“A meeting with the university’s Chief Financial Officer will occur in June to share information about McMaster’s investment strategy. Members of SPHR’s negotiating team and up to three faculty advisors will attend (2).”
Information about the investment strategy is not needed. What is needed is full disclosure and an exhaustive list of companies participating in specific Israeli investments, and any investments complicit in the ongoing genocide. Disclose how much is being invested. There needs to be full transparency about investments and profits in dollars and cents immediately. No investigation or discussions are needed. Mr. Omer Ahmed (CFO) should have access to this information to offer transparency through a breakdown. Disclose now!
“McMaster will continue to be a signatory to the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investing, and will uphold these principles, which include human rights as part of the integration of environment, social and governance considerations. These principles are embedded in the Statement of Investment Policies and Procedures – Investment Pool (section 5). The “Social Responsibility and McMaster’s Investment Policy” will be reviewed and amended as required to align with Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) considerations (3).”
The policy jargon here is unbearable. Policies exist for people, not the other way around. Let’s cut the bullshit. Does the UN’s responsible investing principles support genocide, epistemicide, scholasticide, femicide and white supremacy? If not, nothing needs to be “reviewed” while Palestinian children are being massacred. Divest now!
“The university will disclose annually a report of all direct investments and the names of the pooled funds held in the university’s Investment Pool to the Board of Governors at the first meeting in the Fall of 2024. The report will be made available on the Financial Affairs website. (4).”
Why is this disclosure process not quarterly? Annual disclosures allow institutions the time to create loopholes to hide dealings. Disclosure of profits should be quarterly so there is ongoing transparency of direct and indirect investments, and about where McMaster’s profits are coming from. All loopholes should be closed and prevented. This is a key necessity of proper disclosure.
“An open process will be implemented to allow any McMaster community member to raise questions or concerns about McMaster’s investments, including direct or pooled investments, divestment, and investment policies. The information will be shared with members of the Investment Pool Committee who will review and assess based on applicable Board policies. Concerns will be forwarded to the Board of Governors as appropriate. This process will be in place by the end of October (6).”
This statement resembles a con artist’s shell game. It sounds like a promise of a performative delegation process where the Board of Directors maintains power and makes decisions at their discretion. Based on precedents set by different Hamilton institutions, there is not much hope to be placed on this neoliberal governance process. The community has already spoken in response to genocide in Gaza. Echo their words and declare what Israel is doing the GENOCIDE of Palestinian peoples now!
We choose not to address numbers 7,8, and 9 as they are irrelevant to the original demands put forth.
Equity Network demands that McMaster declares, discloses and divests to end complicity to the ongoing genocide of Palestinians. We demand they hold themselves accountable in full transparency.
As parents, we resist our children attending a post secondary institution which finds loopholes to support genocide. We stand firmly with student movements across the world for justice, for the end of all genocide, and a free Palestine.
