The 2014­2015 executive board of the Armenian             Students’ Association (ASA) at UCLA endorses “A Resolution               to Divest from Companies Engaged in Violence Against               Palestinians.”  

 ASA members were present at the divestment town hall                 

meeting in order to voice any possible concerns about the                   language of the resolution before it was released. We believe                   that Students for Justice in Palestine at UCLA and the                   co­sponsors of this resolution were transparent during this               entire process.  

 Armenian­American students whose families have a history of being displaced and                     

oppressed by foreign nations as well as having those issues ignored or invalidated                         internationally do not feel comfortable funding a similar situation abroad. Therefore, ASA does                         not wish to be complicit in the University of California system’s problematic investments in                           American companies that violate human rights in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.  

 We do recognize that international issues impact many Bruins and therefore directly                       

affect our campus. Turning a blind eye to other people’s suffering simply because it would be                               more convenient to do so does not coincide with the True Bruin Values. 

 We understand the nuances of the Israeli­Palestinian conflict and do not make this                         

decision in order to further agitate the conflict by dividing sides. ASA members have not taken                               sides in questioning any people’s right to self­determination, but have instead chosen to remain                           morally consistent. Although we realize the sensitivities of this issue because of the refuge Israel                             has been for people persecuted throughout history, we cannot ignore the current issue of the                             settlements. If one loves their country, wants to ensure its stability, and improve its human rights                               record, unconditional support is not the answer. Although the state of Israel has every right to                               ensure the safety of its citizens, its government is not exempt from criticism over its settlement                               policies. We hope that students do not feel singled out or targeted by such a measure, because                                 divestment resolutions are not limited to the Israeli settlements. This resolution does not                         presume to be a solution to the conflict, but rather gives students the opportunity to remove                               themselves from the situation. 

 It is our hope that students can have an honest conversation about the conflict after our                                 

council representatives vote on behalf of the student body.  In solidarity, UCLA ASA