Oct. 7, 2023, marked the breaking point of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization, launched a surprise attack on Israel, propelling the two groups into a deadly conflict that still persists today, as documented by the Associated Press. One year later, University of Connecticut student groups UConn Hillel and Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) held vigils on campus remembering the lives lost over the past year.
The first vigil was held at 5:30 p.m. on the Student Union terrace and was organized by UConn Hillel and Chabad in association with the Huskies for Israel club and the Jewish Federation of Connecticut. UConn Hillel, the student chapter of the national Hillel Jewish service organization, regularly sponsors events and outreach initiatives promoting Jewish community in collaboration with Chabad, which helps provide religious services.
“It’s important to remember these world events, because we shouldn’t want history to repeat itself,” said Aidan Spodick, a third-year history major in attendance.
Various symbols of Jewish identity were displayed on the Student Union lawn, including flags of Israel, informational posters and Jewish necklaces alongside kites, which were flown with the pictures of remembered and missing people amid the conflict. Students lit candles in the shape of the Star of David, a common Jewish symbol.
The vigil hosted a number of speakers, including Dean of Students Fany DeJesus-Hannon. She spoke of her experiences with mutual lament in various international communities, saying “As we collectively grieve, being here in community – it is okay to keep questioning and seeking ‘the why,’ but we all have to keep asking ‘what will I be doing with my life, what purpose can I fulfill?”
Shirly Afrimi, a Jewish Agency for Israel Fellow, gave a speech connecting the events of the ongoing war with the loss of close friends and family. “It’s hard to believe that today marks one year since October 7th 2023… since then, so many beautiful souls [have been] lost,” Afrimi said at the event.
UConn exchange students from Israel also spoke, including representatives from the Huskies for Israel club. “The immense compassion the UConn community has shown me this year is a testament to the mutual yearning for peace we share,” said one student during the speech.
Rabbi Hecht of Chabad led students in a solemn prayer and musicians performed “Hatikvah,” the national anthem of Israel. The vision of the event was promoted by the groups for students coming together in the spirit of brotherhood, peace and protection in the wake of October 7th.
The event also included the reading of a letter from Richard Blumenthal, a U.S. senator from Connecticut. Blumenthal is currently engaged on a federal mission in Israel with other delegates and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior government and military leadership on Monday evening, according to C-SPAN.
The vigil held by SJP began at 7 p.m. at Dove Tower, running until about 8 p.m. Small electric candles had been arranged in the shape of the Palestinian flag, and several in attendance wore black and white keffiyeh: a traditional type of scarf that has become a symbol of Palestinian solidarity. The vigil included personal stories from multiple speakers, as well as prayers and a song.
“We’re here today to remember our martyrs and to remember those who died. Who were murdered,” the first speaker said, opening the night. “Forty thousand is only the bodies that they’ve counted,” they continued, referencing bodies that were lost or destroyed. Instead, they estimated around “200,000.”
The speakers at the vigil shared stories of family members lost in Gaza.
“He died doing what he loved — saving others,” one speaker said, recounting the story of their uncle’s death, who was unable to receive treatment due to the lack of functioning hospitals amidst the conflict.
“At least 20 out of 22 hospitals identified by CNN in northern Gaza were damaged or destroyed in the first two months of Israel’s war against Hamas,” according to an article from CNN, with Israel claiming, “Hamas operates inside and underneath hospitals,” offering video footage as evidence. Despite this, CNN noted that “the videos do not offer definitive proof, and Hamas has denied the claims.”
The attendants of the vigil then entered a two-minute moment of silence in order to remember and acknowledge the lives lost in the conflict. “Now they’re just a memory,” another speaker had said shortly beforehand. “But a memory we will never forget.”
An Islamic prayer was also conducted, the speaker of which noted that “we are like one body, and if one part of that body is hurt, we all feel it.” They turned their head to acknowledge their audience, saying “that is what is bringing you out today. Whether you are Muslim are not.”
One of the final speakers at the event acknowledged themself as a member of the group of 25 students and one alumnus who were arrested and charged with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct at the pro-Palestinian encampment on-campus in April, according to WSFB. The students had been protesting “in response to the conflict in Gaza.” This group is commonly referred to as the “UConn 26.”
This speaker discussed the family lost in the conflict, and how it has affected their surviving family members. “What more is there to say that hasn’t already been said?” they said. “This is the same feeling that I have when I am consoling my perpetually grieving mother. What more is there to say?”
Similarly, Rabbi Hecht at the UConn Hillel vigil had said the phrase, “What do we do when words are not enough?”
A group of university administrators were present at both events, including Hannon, Provost Anne D’Alleva, Vice President for Student Life Nathan Fuerst and Chief Diversity Officer Jeffrey Hines amongst other UConn staff members. It is unknown if the administration will release additional comments or information at this time.
UConn Faith, a partnership of the Student Affairs department, released a statement on the Israel-Palestine conflict, stating “As faith leaders, we stand united in our belief in human dignity, peace, love and compassion. We firmly believe that a pathway to peace can be achieved through embracing tolerance, understanding and mutual acceptance.”
For more information about resources available to students, visit faith.studentaffairs.uconn.edu and dos.uconn.edu.
Where to begin? “Missing people” is an Orwellian way of referring to civilians taken hostage, and held in cages in underground tunnels. There is no mention of the casualties on the Israeli side.
When it comes to coverage of the SJP rally, the authors broadcast a speaker’s unsubstantiated claim of 200,000 dead, but fact check a claim that was not made by any speaker (regarding Hamas command posts beneath hospitals). And finally, note how the DC did not even bother to send a photographer, and instead used the opportunity to once again share the Instagram feed of the proudly antisemitic UConn Divest.
Care to explain what “Palestine Hamas” is? I thought everyone at DC was an expert on this topic.
I find it a little sickening that the SJP would choose this date for their gathering and apparently make no mention of the barbaric attack and kidnapping of Israelis (of many faiths and backgrounds) which sparked the current war. I would sympathize a lot more with their position if they didn’t make wild claims like “genocide” and if they differentiated between the innocent civilians killed from the Hamas terrorists that Israel has taken out. Last I read, about half of the victims of Israel’s counterattacks were Hamas combatants. There are still 100 hostages in Gaza including little kids, plus the bodies of many more. Until they are released, I don’t think we have a right to dictate Israel to back down (although their methods can be criticized). If SJP was calling for their release and the removal of Hamas, I would stand shoulder to shoulder with them. Of course, given SJP’s ties to the Holy Land Foundation, which was convicted for terrorist funding in the US, I don’t think they’ll change their ways anytime soon!