13 May 2021

Dear Hebrew University students,

Thank you for your determination to adhere to the values ​​that guide us, even during these terrible days of violence and fear.

The situation is complex: citizens, Jews and Arabs, who are currently using violence, often do so out of a sense of despair and frustration. Alongside our understanding of these profound reasons for this behavior on the parts of citizens, and our partnership in the fight against injustice, acts of violence, intimidation and terrorism are terrible. They harm not only their direct victims, and those who are forced to live in fear of being attacked, but also the possibility of living here a shared life.

In our small world, we face two major challenges. One challenge is to continue our activities in classrooms and in the teaching and research labs. Given the danger posed by rocket fire and riots, it would be easy to prefer to return to remote instruction. The sterility of Zoom, being safe at home with family members, is a tempting choice. But it is precisely during these days that it is especially important for us to overcome our fear and to come to campus. We are not obligating students to come to attend classes physically on campus, but we try offering them a supportive framework of human encounter in the classrooms. Our personal example, the invitation to partake in direct interaction, on campus, is invaluable in strengthening the mental resilience of us all. In addition, please contact other students, suggest holding a conversation, check if you can assist in all aspects. Do not hesitate asking your teachers to make needed accommodations due to the terrible situation, and help other students in submitting such requests.

A second challenge is one that stems from the morally unacceptable statements made by several students. This is not a common phenomenon, but there are quite a few cases of expressions of hatred and incitement to violence, against Arabs and against Jews, during classes and on the social networks. In this regard, our commitment to a complex concept of tolerance is reflected. We refrain from exercising our powers as teachers and managers towards those who express outrageous attitudes. We also permit students to demonstrate, on and off campus, and the only restriction is that of complete avoidance of violence. At the same time, we resolutely condemn positions that express hatred and incitement. Faculty members are expected to emphasize the gravity of the act of calling for violence and incitement to racism. Operating segregated WhatsApp groups, advocating expelling those whose positions are different from ours, and expressions of hatred, and incitement to violence express poor perceptions, and are a sign of weakness and cowardice. Please speak up against such expressions, and express your commitment to tolerance.

Thank you so much for being able to meet the challenges. Good days are still to come.

Yours,

Barak Medina, Rector