Yale students make history: Divestment referendum passed
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Organizers from the pro-Palestine Sumud Coalition emphasize that the results highlight strong student support for divestment and pro-Palestinian causes, countering perceptions that such views represent a minority.
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Thousands of protesters marched down Chicago’s Michigan Avenue on October 21, 2023, in support of the Palestinians. (AP)
The Yale College Council announced that the student body has overwhelmingly approved a divestment referendum proposed by the pro-Palestine Sumud Coalition.
The referendum included three questions; whether Yale should disclose and divest from investments in military weapons manufacturers, “including those arming Israel,” and whether the university should “act on its commitment to education by investing in Palestinian scholars and students.”
The first question received 83.1% “yes” votes, the second 76.6%, and the third 79.5%. In each case, over one-third of the student body voted in favor, meeting the threshold set by the YCC constitution for the measures to officially pass.
With the referendum officially passed, the YCC will draft a letter to University President Maurie McInnis outlining the results. YCC President Mimi Papathanasopolous ’26 and Vice President Esha Garg ’26 shared that they intend to send the letter by December 11 and plan to include a link to it in the next YCC newsletter.
Strong support: A significant portion of Yale students vote 'Yes' on divestment
A total of 3,338 students, representing 49.5% of Yale's student body, participated in the YCC referendum—a higher turnout than previous referendums on democratizing the Yale Corporation and divesting from fossil fuels. While earlier referendums did not lead to immediate policy changes, they sparked sustained advocacy efforts, resulting in stricter fossil fuel investment policies by 2021.
Organizers from the pro-Palestine Sumud Coalition emphasized that the results highlight strong student support for divestment and pro-Palestinian causes, countering perceptions that such views represent a minority. They argue the referendum demonstrates widespread approval for a more ethical endowment and the movement for a free Palestine.
Unsurprisingly, the referendum faced opposition from some students, organizations, and groups advocating for "Israel" amid its ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Yale Friends of Israel, an undergraduate organization that opposed the referendum, expressed disappointment with the outcome but maintained confidence that Yale would not alter its policies. They underscored the importance of investments that align with "democratic" values and support for the United States and its allies, including "Israel".
It is worth noting that Yale University graduate students initiated in April a hunger strike to protest against the institution’s investments in companies that provide "Israel" with arms and military equipment amid its months-long genocidal war on Gaza.
Read more: Canadian students hunger-strike, urge McGill to divest from 'Israel'
