A broad coalition of more than 100 institutions of higher education, including public and private, faith-based, and historically Black colleges and universities on Sunday issued a statement standing with Israel, the Palestinian Arabs who suffer under Hamas' cruel rule in Gaza, and all people of moral conscience.
Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman, President of Yeshiva University and convener of the coalition, said "The massacre in Israel put a spotlight on campuses and the role university presidents have in articulating the values that higher education represents."
"There is unparalleled strength in presidents joining together to lay the moral groundwork on which all civil dialogue is naturally based. I am honored to stand with the signatories of this statement who are committed to bringing clarity and truth to these tumultuous times, and protecting our campus communities from violence and hate."
The members of the coalition also urged presidents and chancellors of all US and global colleges and universities to join the effort.
The statement declares: "We Stand Together with Israel Against Hamas."
"We are horrified and sickened by the brutality and inhumanity of Hamas. Murdering innocent civilians including babies and children, raping women, and taking the elderly as hostages are not the actions of political disagreement but the actions of hate and terrorism.
"The basis of all universities is a pursuit of truth, and it is times like these that require moral clarity. Like the fight against ISIS, the fight against Hamas is a fight against evil. We, the presidents and chancellors of universities, colleges, and higher education associations across the United States of America and the world, stand with Israel, with the Palestinians who suffer under Hamas' cruel rule in Gaza and with all people of moral conscience."