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REMEMBERING OCTOBER 7TH, TWO YEARS LATER

October 7th, 2023 will go down in history as one of the bloodiest days. Not just for the Al-Aqsa Flood, where around 1,200 Israeli civilians were killed and 251 held hostage, but because of the unimaginable bloodshed that came after.

For one day, the whole world was on Israel’s side, in the interest of security and defense. But for the next two years, Israel’s facade of defensible civility and democracy began to crumble as their 77 years of apartheid and ethnic cleansing reared its head. People came to grasp the violence of the Zionist project, of settler-colonial occupation on the land of Palestine.

The Palestinian people’s voices were heard only when the anger of Gaza bubbled into a bloody blowback through Hamas, and then when they demanded justice from the rubble. People awoke to the US war machine funding and defending the death and starvation of 2 million civilians, now declared by the UN to be under famine.

Every single day after that October morning, human beings and our siblings under God have been demeaned into statistics on death tolls. Every single day since, the violence grows undeniable—no matter how much the Israeli state targets journalists and the voice of the Palestinian people.

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel has officially stated on September 16th, 2025, that Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians on the Gaza Strip. The Commission then urged Israel and all States to abide by international law and obligations therein to end the genocide and punish those responsible for it.

On October 7th, Israel began the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

STATEMENTS FROM OUR COLLEGE DEPARTMENT

The Access Point reached out to the organizations of the School of Computing to address the global issue of Palestine. The following are their statements in response.

A statement from the College Student Council of the School of Computing:

On this date two years ago—October 7, 2023—the Israeli occupation of Palestine reached the level of one of its most lethal offensives, as attacks and resulting siege on Gaza took tens of thousands of lives, left millions homeless, and brought whole communities to destruction. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, as reported by PBS News (2025), 64,231 Palestinians have been killed since 2023, with women and children comprising nearly half of the fatalities. Moreover, according to 2025 data, over half a million individuals in Gaza are caught in famine, with widespread hunger and severe acute malnutrition posing further avoidable deaths (World Food Programme, 2025).

Importantly, this crisis is not sudden; it has been incubated for several decades through apartheid, blockade, and systematic dispossession against Palestinians to dispossess them of land and rights and strip away their dignity. However, despite the scale of their suffering, much of the world has been ignorant—or deliberately kept ignorant—by way of censorship, misinformation, and outright silencing of voices. 

In response to this ongoing oppression, the College Student Council – School of Computing (CSC–SoC), the governing body of over 1,500 students at the School of Computing at Holy Angel University, stands in unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people in their struggle for liberation and condemns the state of Israel for its ongoing genocide and ethnic cleansing.  Accordingly, we denounce the systematic attacks on Palestinians, the destruction of communities and essential services, and the weaponization of humanitarian aid. As representatives of the student body, we will not stay silent in the face of injustice—because silence is complicity and neutrality in the face of oppression only benefits the oppressor.

To stand with Palestine is not a matter of politics but of principle—it is a stand for justice, the upholding of human rights, and the rejection of all forms of oppression. Systematic dehumanization can never be justified, no matter what purpose, and should never be acceptable as a means to attain the power, security, or progress of any country. As Filipinos, we feel a profound connection to this struggle: our history of colonization, resistance against foreign domination, and fight for sovereignty gives us a deep understanding of the pain caused by dispossession and oppression. This lived experience makes us stand with others—not in comparison, but as a moral obligation to uphold freedom and human dignity wherever they are under attack.

Looking ahead, the CSC–SoC is committed to fostering awareness, critical thinking, and collective action within our student community. We will utilize our platforms to inform and challenge misinformation and disinformation—to prevent truth from being buried under propaganda. Accordingly, we urge all students to stay vigilant, to challenge narratives, and to speak out in solidarity with the oppressed. In our classrooms and around the world, let our generation be known not for silence, but for courage—for standing firmly on the side of justice, freedom, and our shared humanity.

From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!

A statement from Code Geeks:

We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people. We join the call to end the ongoing Israeli occupation and violence that have taken away their basic rights for decades.

No matter what racial and religious background one may have, no one should remain silent in the face of genocide, injustice, violence, and the denial of basic human rights.

For decades, Palestinians have been displaced from their homes and lands. Their stories are often ignored or misrepresented, yet their calls for justice have never stopped. Today, more than ever, it’s important to speak up and stand with them.

We stand with Palestinians in ensuring their voices and stories are heard, especially when many are being silenced. We support their fight to live freely and with dignity on their own land.

A statement from the Cybersecurity Intelligence Alliance (CSIA):

Cybersecurity Intelligence Alliance (CSIA) stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people in their enduring struggle for freedom.

We are an organization rooted in principles of truth, integrity, and the responsible use of knowledge, we recognize that silence in the face of oppression enables the continuation of systematic violence. We grieve for the countless lives lost and displaced, and we condemn the ongoing occupation and violence inflicted upon Palestinians under the guise of “security.”

CSIA calls on members of the community, especially those within tech and security, to remain vigilant against misinformation and dehumanizing narratives that obscure the realities of oppression. We believe that all must work hand in hand in the pursuit of freedom. 

We affirm that the pursuit of peace must start with accountability and the recognition of the Palestinian right to self-determination. 

We stand with the Palestinian people and their freedom. 

#FreePalestine

A statement from the Multimedia Aficionados for Interested Artists (MAFIA):

The Multimedia Aficionados for Interested Artists (MAFIA) stands in unwavering solidarity with the Palestinian people, who continue to endure immense suffering, loss, and displacement as a result of ongoing war and systemic oppression. We recognize the gravity of their situation, marked by years of violence and a deepening humanitarian crisis that has taken countless innocent lives and destroyed communities across Gaza and the West Bank. The devastation of homes, hospitals, schools, and places of worship reflects not only physical destruction but also the collective trauma and grief of an entire people struggling to survive and preserve their humanity.

We acknowledge the need to confront this reality with clarity and compassion. To remain silent in the face of such injustice is to be complicit. We firmly stand with those who continue to fight for freedom, dignity, and the right to live without fear. Every act of resistance, resilience, and remembrance matters, and we lend our voice to amplify that call for justice.

ART IS MEANT TO BE POLITICAL. It is a medium of truth and resistance, a force that challenges indifference and gives power to the silenced. Through this belief, we recognize our role in confronting injustice, amplifying awareness, and contributing to movements that seek liberation and human dignity.

We are deeply troubled by the alarming rise in violence and the suffering it inflicts, especially on children and families whose futures are being torn apart. Each life lost is not just a number, but a story, a memory, a future taken too soon. These realities demand attention, empathy, and accountability.

Our commitment extends beyond words, it is a dedication to uphold truth, amplify awareness, and advocate for lasting peace rooted in equality and human rights. We call for the end of violence, the restoration of justice, and the recognition of Palestine’s right to exist freely and securely.

In solidarity and with steadfast commitment to justice,

The Members of MAFIA

STATEMENTS FROM BEYOND OUR UNIVERSITY

The following are statements shared to The Access Point from outside of Holy Angel University.

From the USA, a statement shared by Mariam Abaza, a Palestinian student journalist of The Lantern from Ohio State University through Columbus Free Press:

It is important to realize that my experiences are simply a microcosm of the greater issue: the dehumanization and silencing of Palestinians across the globe. I am sure there are thousands of Palestinian-Americans with stories just like mine, if not worse. There are thousands of Palestinians being dehumanized and murdered daily. This is not just a personal issue. This is not even just an Ohio State issue. This is a global issue.

Despite what many think, the blatant genocide in Palestine impacts everyone. It is a clear example that despite the perceived progressiveness of the world after the Holocaust and the chants of “never again,” world leaders are not only standing by and allowing it to happen but actively funding it. When even Holocaust survivors are identifying this as a genocide, maybe it’s time to listen.

Additionally, she gave The Access Point an exclusive statement, adding:

Millions around the globe are answering the call, from protests in the streets to concerted lobbying efforts. Just a few days ago, we saw the power that collective action can have with the Global Sumud Flotilla, which brought together hundreds of people from different backgrounds for the sole purpose of preserving humanity and upholding justice. The issue of Palestinian independence transcends  every manmade barrier, and in the face of attempted division it is more vital than ever to stand together against injustice. 

In his final statement to the world, Palestinian journalist Anas al-Sharif declared “I urge you not to let chains silence you, nor borders restrain you. Be bridges toward the liberation of the land and its people, until the sun of dignity and freedom rises over our stolen homeland.” It is our duty, regardless of our race or religion or any arbitrary border, to unify in a fight for liberation. Palestine has never been solely a Muslim issue, an Arab issue, a socialist issue, a Gen-Z issue, or a movement defined by any qualifying factors that serve as borders to restrain us. Palestine is a human issue, and at this moment, humanity is failing. We cannot rely on our world leaders, many without backbones or commitment to humanity, to save us. Our action is overdue, but more necessary than ever. We must heed al-Sharif’s call and fight before it’s too late.

The following statement was shared from the Philippines-Palestine Friendship Association (PPFA):

The Philippine media landscape makes this responsibility especially clear. Journalists here who dare to expose corruption, human rights abuses, violations of international humanitarian law, and bombings in the countryside often face harassment, red-tagging, trumped-up charges, or even death. Yet fearless Filipino journalists persist—proving how essential an independent press is to democracy and accountability.

That same courage is also needed to confront our own government’s complicity. The Marcos Jr. administration has deepened military and trade ties with Israel, even as its forces wage genocide in Gaza. The Philippines has signed billions worth of arms deals with Israeli firms—acquiring SPYDER missile systems, Hermes 900 drones, and Fast Attack Interdiction Craft-Missile (FAIC-M) boats from Elbit Systems and Israel Shipyards. These same weapons, tested on Palestinians under occupation, are now deployed in the Philippines’ counterinsurgency program—bombing our countrysides and communities. By becoming one of Israel’s top arms buyers in Asia, the Philippine government sustains both Israel’s war machine abroad and repression at home.

To expand military and trade cooperation while a genocide unfolds is not neutrality—it is participation. And journalists, whose calling is to expose injustice, cannot afford to ignore this reality.

PPFA challenges Filipino journalists to broaden their coverage: While it is easy to access Israel’s cities and officials, the far less reported reality is in Gaza—where families grieve, health workers struggle to save lives, and entire communities fight to survive under siege. These are the voices most silenced, and they must be heard.

Filipino journalists have stood firm against dictatorship, censorship, and repression. Today, we ask them to bring that same commitment to the global stage. In Gaza, the truth is under attack—and it needs messengers brave enough to carry it.

THE INTERNATIONAL CALL

We will remember October 7th as a global call to action.

The continued violence of colonialism rages on in our modern day, and those who spoke and gave their statements recognize that the struggle against it will persist despite any and all divisions imposed upon us. Whatever color or creed, beyond party and allegiance, we must be a united humanity against all oppression. This is a recognition that the allowance of attacks on press freedom anywhere is an attack on press freedom everywhere, that a children starving over there counts as a child starving here, for we must understand the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

This is a sentiment that must resonate into our hearts if we are to call ourselves believers of democracy, truth, and peace. For we have seen how the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa happened only because of the international calls which made it impossible to deny, how women’s suffrage echoed from the early 20th Century throughout the whole world, how the Civil Rights Movement attacked racism not only in the USA but globally, and Filipinos have historically been intrinsically tied to these movements, whether directly or indirectly.

Now, as our government ties itself with US-Israel, we can say that there is a direct complicity where we must hold ourselves to account.

No one is free until everyone is free, for an injury to one is an injury to all.

Globalize the intifada.

By Pocholo Tolentino