Statements and News Stories on Israel

Ancient citadel and Tower of David in Jerusalem, Israel
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Coverage of the Conflict

Standing with Alumni Impacted by Attacks

February 2, 2024

Several alumni recently led an effort to show solidarity with and support for two alumni whose children are among the hostages in Gaza. The group gathered selfies from more than 100 fellow alumni and a few students, compiled them into a powerful collage, and shared it with both families.

The hostages include Hersh Goldberg-Polin, son of Rachel Goldberg ’92, and Sagui Dekel-Chen, son of Jonathan Dekel-Chen, PhD’02.

An American who moved to Jerusalem 15 years ago, Rachel Goldberg has become one of the most visible advocates, particularly in English, for the hostages’ release. The Dekel-Chens live at Kibbutz Nir Oz, which was one of the first places to be attacked on October 7.

Amy Cohen, president of the Brandeis Alumni Association, says, “Both families are in our alumni community’s heart. We pray for Hersh, Sagui, and all the hostages’ safe return and for all alumni impacted by the Israel-Gaza war.”

Human rights died in Gaza

December 8, 2023

By Yehudah Mirsky

Schusterman Series: Israeli Civil Society During War

Professor Yehudah Mirsky hosts a series of conversations with three leading figures from Israeli civil society to hear about how diverse groups of Israelis are responding to the aftermath of October 7, and what it can teach us about Israeli society as a whole.

Watch the Recordings

Watch: Professor Jonathan Sarna testifies about antisemitism on college campuses

November 9, 2023

University Professor Jonathan Sarna, Joseph H. & Belle R. Braun professor of American Jewish history and director of the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies, testified about antisemitism on college campuses at a meeting of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Nov. 9. His introduction begins at the 31:30 minute mark.

Israel-Hamas War: What is the risk of a wider conflict?

November 3, 2023

Gary Samore, the Crown Family Director of the Crown Center for Middle East Studies and professor of the practice of politics, analyzes the possibilities of the conflict in Gaza spreading further into the Middle East.

Watch: Brandeis scholars unravel Israel-Hamas conflict

October 23, 2023

Two in-depth discussions — one hosted by the Crown Center for Middle East Studes and one by the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies — examined the attack on Israel by Hamas and the unfolding war in Gaza.

Images of kidnapped Israeli hostages posted on a wall

'The awful harvest of the hatred that has been afoot in the world'

October 17, 2023

Professor of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies Yehudah Mirsky was in Israel on Saturday, October 7, during the terrorist attacks by Hamas. He shared his personal reflections on what happened and their implications for Israeli society and politics.

Tragedy and Trauma on the Gaza Border

October 11, 2023

Deborah and Shlomi Matias, the daughter and son-in-law of Ilan Troen ’63, the Stoll Family Professor Emeritus in Israel Studies, were shot to death early Saturday morning in their home in Beersheba, Israel, by Hamas militants. Here, Troen offers a first-person account and perspective.

A woman starts to cry during a rally in support of Israel at the Boston Common

What's next for Israel?

October 11, 2023

Alexander Kaye, the Karl, Harry, and Helen Stoll Assistant Professor of Israel Studies and director of the Schusterman Center for Israel Studies, answers questions on the attacks and what the future may hold.