Flag in Graduation ceremony - what would you think?

[whiteroseredrose]

My DD graduated on Saturday. The ceremony is in two parts, first they 'graduate' in groups of the same subject and go outside. They then come back in in larger groups wearing their new hoods attached to the robes. All very pretty with lots of proud parents taking photos.

DD came back in with her friends, lots of clapping and cheers and I took my photos.

In the cohort immediately behind her one graduate came in carrying a full sized Palestinian flag which covered her from head to toe. So the attention switched from the 30 or so new graduates all in black and white to this huge multicoloured flag. There were some cheers and some boos.

Here's my AIBU. I think it was highly inappropriate to steal the moment from all of your classmates. It is everyone's moment of glory and shouldn't be about just one person and their beliefs. I don't think that the University staff should have let her in with it.

Am I being unreasonable?

What about Egypt's blockade? You know the one that keeps their fellow countrymen out.

Don't free Palestine, at the cost to all Palestinians who are trying to survive the genocide.

Or maybe it was from Temu.

There is absolutely no proof of that. You know what has been proven? When Israel agree to cease bombings periodically to allow aid in, people get aid.

Absolutely- without a doubt free the hostages. Free the Palestinian hostages too. I think there are about 10,000 in Israeli prisons, held without charge.

Yes because cute cuddly little Hamas would never do something like that. Honestly.

Sure. Just the same. (Not.)

Well, for the poor hostage, who was seen digging his own grave, it will all be too late.

I agree. Egypt's blockade / barrier to aid under Sisi is sickening.

You think Hamas are going to listen to calls to free the hostages? You think they are going to just give them up with an “oops sorry”? You think the Palestinians wouldn’t frogmarch the hostages right out of wherever they are if it meant they weren’t going to starve?

Forgive me, but I thought we could hold what claims to be a civilised Country to a higher standard than that of a terrorist organisation. Anyone using “but the hostages” to defend the starvation of a nation, can’t lecture anyone on compassion.

In what sense was a graduation "ruined" by looking at a flag

What genocide?

The poor medics, targeted by the IDF and buried aling with their vehicle, to attempt to hide yet another war crime. Luckily, one of the medics filmed it and the lie was exposed. Israel admitted the 'mistake'.

The one you constantly deny. But that's OK. Eminent Israeli scholars have agreed that it is a genocide.

Fairies at the bottom of the garden.

I could just as easily say "You think the Israeli government is going to be swayed by a student protesting in Exeter?"

Where did I use the plight of the hostages to defend starvation?

I simply observed that among the outcomes wished for by @ThereIsThunderInOurHearts , the release of the abducted hostages was notable by its absence.

I didn’t say they would never do that. I asked for proof they are doing it right now. Even Israeli officials have confirmed there is no proof this is happening.

But, even if it were, even if the people who are looting trucks, and causing so much trouble the Israeli Aid organisations (at the 4 places they distribute aid, rather than the 400 the UN had) have to “set off warning shots” (which somehow are killing people queued for aid) are Hamas (again there is no proof of that) you know what would stop it? Letting in more aid, feeding the people who are starving and so desperate for food for their families, they will fight to get it.

People doing mental gymnastics to defend starving a nation. Honestly.

YANBU

I really cba to unwrap all of that on an AIBU board. Maybe I will see you in CITME.

Sure “all lives matter” whatever.

Right now, there are 2.1 million people facing starvation. Play politics if you like, but 2.1 million people starving is top of my list for attention.

I have no idea what any of that means, but sure, refuse to reply if that helps your cause.

You've 'been staff' at graduations? Are you proud of all freedom of speech? In fact, let's be honest, there's a certain community, who wouldn't be able to exercise their freedom of speech, without being threatened and bullied - by cowards.

No, I'm acknowledging that this isn't the CITME board.

Flag wearer/waver was a selfish prick. Not the time or place.

Well said. I am very concerned about what’s happening in Gaza but Graduation Day is for everyone and I wouldn’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable or even excluded.