JLSA Statement on the Current Violence in Israel

This weekend, more than 700 Jews were murdered. In quiet homes, at a desert rave, and on the streets of Israel’s suburbs, Hamas terrorists raped, tortured, and killed civilians. Over 100 people, including families, teenagers, children, and at least one Holocaust survivor, are now held captive by Hamas in Gaza.

We the Jewish Law Students Association of Harvard Law School believe that every person should condemn these heinous acts. The crimes committed this weekend are beyond protest, beyond resistance – they are crimes against humanity that Jews have not faced since the Holocaust. Holding anyone responsible for these atrocities other than the terrorists who committed them is repugnant.

Hundreds of Jewish students at HLS have connections to these tragedies. So many students have family, friends, and colleagues in Israel. We mourn with our community for the lives lost, we pray for the safe return of those held captive, and we hope for a speedy end to this conflict.

And we urge you, HLS students, to stand by your Jewish classmates this week. Comfort, console, and stand up for Jewish students after one of the worst weekends in our history.