Israeli Universities Unite in Condemning Barbaric Hamas Terror Attack on Civilians
“This was an act of singular barbaric violence which must be thoroughly renounced!”
Jerusalem, Israel - In the wake of the recent horrific terror attack perpetrated by Hamas on Israeli civilians, the Association of Universities in Israel, which includes leading institutions such as Hebrew University, has issued a joint letter denouncing the violence and calling on academic institutions around the world to join them in condemning these heinous acts. This letter serves as a plea for unity and a firm stand against terror, emphasizing that education and academia should be pillars of moral responsibility, actively rejecting acts of violence against civilian populations.
The letter, addressed to colleagues and heads of universities globally, highlights the unprecedented brutality of the attack and seeks to underscore the importance of unequivocal condemnation. On October 7th Hamas unleashed a surprise rocket attack on Israel from Gaza, reaching as far north as the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem areas. Simultaneously, Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants breached the border, brutally massacring civilians, including women, elderly, children, and young families. The victims included attendees of a music festival, peace activists, elderly individuals in their 80s, and toddlers. More than 1,300 innocent lives were lost, with many more injured or taken captive. Disturbing videos from Gaza showcased acts of cruelty, including rape and torture, all of which were met with cheers from the attackers.
The Israeli civilian population, comprising individuals from various religious and ethnic backgrounds, including Jewish, Muslim, and Christian communities, found themselves subjected to terror attacks and indiscriminate rocket fire. This situation goes beyond the scope of ordinary conflict; it is an act of barbaric violence that demands universal condemnation.
Prof. Asher Cohen, President of the Hebrew University, demonstrated a commitment to shared responsibility by signing a joint letter alongside other Israeli university presidents. In the letter, these presidents collectively asserted that there is no room for moral equivalency in the ongoing situation. They rejected the notion that there are "good people on both sides," emphasizing that “this was an act of singular barbaric violence which must be thoroughly renounced!” The actions of Hamas and Islamic Jihad were characterized as cruel and barbaric, drawing parallels to notorious organizations like ISIS, Al Qaeda, the Taliban, and the Islamic State. The joint letter aimed to stress the extreme gravity of this act and underscored the necessity of rejecting any support for such terror organizations within Western democratic societies.
The academic leadership calls on the guardians of higher education and academia worldwide to actively engage in educating their communities about the values they uphold. While freedom of speech and academic freedom are cherished principles, there must be a unified stand against barbaric violence perpetrated on civilian populations. The letter highlights the shared responsibility of universities and educational institutions in shaping the leaders of tomorrow and calls upon them to denounce acts of violence against innocent civilians.
The universities in Israel express their gratitude for the support and concern received from colleagues around the world and urge academic leaders everywhere to join them in denouncing these acts of terror. Together, they stand in solidarity, united against terror, and committed to promoting peace, tolerance, and justice.