![Ancient citadel and Tower of David in Jerusalem, Israel](images/israel.jpg)
Statements and News Stories on Israel
Ancient citadel and Tower of David in Jerusalem, Israel
Photo Credit: iStock / Getty Images Plus
Brandeis Connects with Israel
![Ron and Jessica Liebowitz smile with President and First Lady Herzog](https://www.brandeis.edu/75/stories/images/president-michal-herzog-735.jpg)
May 20, 2024
Brandeis President Ron Liebowitz and Jessica Liebowitz reflect on their visit to Israel to commemorate the shared 75th anniversaries of Brandeis University and the state of Israel.
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.”
Coverage of the Conflict
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.
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.
![Soldiers in Israel](https://www.brandeis.edu/stories/2023/november/images/soldiersisrael.jpg)
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.
![Panelists during the Crown Center event](https://www.brandeis.edu/stories/2023/october/images/crown960.jpg)
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](https://www.brandeis.edu/stories/2023/october/images/kidnap-signs-960.jpg)
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.
![Deborah and Shlomi Matias](https://www.brandeis.edu/stories/2023/october/images/deborah-shlomi-matias.jpg)
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.
University Statements
November 27, 2023
November 11, 2023
November 8, 2023
October 23, 2023
October 7, 2023
From the Media
December 6, 2023
Jewish Broadcasting Service
Interview with President Ron Liebowitz
November 6, 2023
The Boston Globe
Op-Ed by President Ron Liebowitz
November 14, 2023
Forward
Written by Rabbi Seth Winberg
November 2, 2023
The Times of Israel
Written by Yehuda Mirsky
November 2, 2023
Al Jazeera
Professor Yehudah Mirsky interviewed
November 1, 2023
Israel from the Inside
Statement by Brandeis President Ron Liebowitz cited.
October 29, 2023
Popsugar
Professor Shayna Weiss provides book recommendations.
October 19, 2023
WBUR
Stoll family chair of Israel studies, emeritus Ilan Troen interviewed.
October 19, 2023
Wall Street Journal
Professor Alexander Kaye interviewed.
October 18, 2023
The Boston Globe
Stoll family chair of Israel studies, emeritus Ilan Troen interviewed.
October 18, 2023
Mass Live
Brandeis research study
October 17, 2023
The Conversation
Written by Professor Keren McGinity
October 17, 2023
Associated Press
Brandeis study cited
October 16, 2023
CNN
Written by Rachel Fish, associate research professor at the Cohen Center for Modern Jewish Studies
October 13, 2023
LiveNOW Fox
Professor Yehudah Mirsky quoted
October 13, 2023
LiveNOW Fox
Professor Yehudah Mirsky interviewed
October 12, 2023
President Ron Liebowitz interviewed
October 11, 2023
The Washington Post
Statement by President Ron Liebowitz, cited
October 9, 2023
The New York Times
President Ron Liebowitz quoted
October 8, 2023
Boston Globe
Professor Ilan Troen ’63 mentioned and Professor Joyce Antler quoted