On Thursday, about 220 attendees gathered in the Student Union Ballroom in cultural attire such as Palestinian thobes and keffiyehs to celebrate San José State’s Students for Justice in Palestine’s (SJP) second annual banquet Under the Olive Tree: Roots of Resistance., through cultural dishes.

The banquet celebrated Palestinian heritage with dance, music, poetry and catered food from Shawarmaji, a middle eastern restaurant located in Oakland and Santa Clara.

Several vendors showcased jewelry, pottery and primarily olive products, which hold significant cultural value. Olives hold historical importance as Palestine has been  cultivating olive trees for thousands of years, according to a 2025 article from Al Jazeera.

All proceeds from the event were donated to Heroic Hearts fundraising aid, Gaza Orphan Sponsorship, which is providing several forms of aid to displaced children in Gaza, according to the fundraiser website.

Palestine is currently in an ongoing genocide, which has killed at least 67,190 and 90% displaced since October 2023, according to House of Representatives resolution 876 introduced by the United States House of Representatives on Nov. 13, 2025.

Omar Younes, a second-year finance student and Jeremiah Metry, a second-year molecular biology student, attended the event to help their family friend’s business, Shazad Olive Company, showcase their olive oil products.

Shazad is a small business established in San Francisco, sourcing their extra virgin olive oil from the ancient groves of Palestine and the sun-kissed orchards of California, according to its webpage.

Both students saw the event flyer online and reached out to the organizers of the banquet to help promote their business and raise support for Palestine.

“I think it’s important just to show face because Palestine needs all the support that they can get, whether that’s vending at an event or shouting out on social media or whatever it is, I think it’s good to do,” Younes said. 

There are businesses that are from and for Palestinians that hire local creatives in Gaza and the West Bank to produce handcrafted items where they donate proceeds to refugee camps in Palestine, according to Institute for Palestine Studies. 

Not only did guests attend the event for the performance, culture and food, but several guests came to honor and support Palestine.

Nikki Flowers, a masters of preparatory teaching student, felt the event had a deeper meaning than just a cultural celebration. 

“This is not just a cultural celebration event, but an event to really honor and materially support the genocide in Palestine… You can’t just be joyously your identity when people are actively attacking you and attacking your rights,” Flowers said. 

Madeline Kennedy and her husband, Turki Haj Mohammad, who own Rahaal, an apparel and goods store, attended as vendors for the second time.

Kennedy said seeing the videos of the charity’s work was a form of resistance. 

“I think one really great impact was seeing the videos that showed exactly what the relief organizations are doing on the ground. That kind of thing is hard to get across in a protest,” Kennedy said.

Kennedy also encouraged students of all backgrounds to attend the event.

“I feel like really anyone would be invited and would be welcomed here and I think that’s what’s so good about SJSU, is its diversity,” Kennedy said.