President Whitten,

A true friend and ally to Jewish and Israeli students is a friend during times of peace and during times of war. Israel is at war, and the Jewish community is calling on your friendship. As friends, we cannot help but share our immense disappointment, frustration, and sadness with the lack of public support for the Jewish and Israeli community at Indiana University from the IU Administration.

At 6:30 AM on Saturday, October 7th, an Iran-sponsored Palestinian terrorist organization, Hamas, launched an unprovoked invasion of southern Israel with one mission: to slaughter Israeli civilians. To murder Jews.

On the most joyous day of the Hebrew Calendar where Israelis and Jews around the world celebrate Simchat Torah, Indiana University students saw our brothers and sisters in Israel gunned down indiscriminately. Israeli civilians and soldiers alike have been maimed and murdered, their dead bodies taken hostage and paraded through the streets of Gaza. Entire families have been burned alive in their homes, children have been slaughtered in front of their parents, elderly have been taken hostage, and young girls have been raped, their mutilated bodies celebrated and spit on. More than 4,000 rockets have been fired into Israel from Gaza. Over 1100 Israelis have been murdered, and over 3,000 have been injured (and counting).

Students at Indiana University stand unapologetically with Israel, the only Jewish state in the world. Like every other nation, Israel must exercise her right to defend herself. And, unlike Hamas, Israel will do so with practices that precisely target military assets in Gaza, not innocent civilians. As Indiana students, we have made lifelong friends in study abroad programs, on 10-day birthright trips, on summer internship programs, and with many of our peers and family who are not only from Israel, but have bravely served in their defense forces. They are now in danger. Indiana alumni have been drafted from the reserves, with several even flying back to Israel to defend their home. Jewish students make up 12% of the IU student body, with supporters of Israel making up a much larger portion. The Indiana University community is inextricably connected to Israel and the Israeli people. And we need you to elevate our voices. 

Now is not the time for “both-sides” or justifying terrorist attacks and atrocities. Now is only the time for swift and unequivocal condemnation of Hamas (a registered Foreign Terrorist Organization) and an unwavering commitment to the Jewish community. We URGE you to retract your statement and issue a new, stronger statement condemning Hamas and showing your support for the Jewish people.