On behalf of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, we condemn the senseless and heinous acts by Hamas against innocent Israeli civilians. The horrific and cowardly violence is unconscionable. We also mourn the tragic loss of Palestinian civilian lives in Gaza. Our shared humanity during this time of shock, trauma, and grief calls for us to stand in solidarity with those who are suffering and demonstrate compassion and care for those near and far. We know that more difficult days lie ahead.
Acts of war and dehumanization are in direct opposition to our values as international educators. We believe in the power of people-to-people exchanges, diplomacy, and dialogue to build bridges across differences. We must remain steadfast in our resolve to create a more peaceful, just, and equitable world.
The reverberations from this conflict are far reaching and are being felt on campuses and in communities all over the world. We recognize the ugly propensity toward anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and hate. We call on our institutions to provide support to students, scholars, and staff and spaces for the constructive expression of differing viewpoints with human dignity and respect.
NAFSA is actively exploring ways to support students, scholars, and colleagues from the region currently located in the United States and to provide resources to U.S. students, institutions, and partners with interests in the Middle East. More information is available on NAFSA's website.
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About NAFSA: Serving more than 10,000 members and international educators worldwide, NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education and exchange. Visit us at www.nafsa.org/press. To learn more about our advocacy efforts on behalf of international education, visit www.nafsa.org/takeaction. Resources to guide our members on these issues can be found at www.nafsa.org/reginfo.