VESTAL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Binghamton University students with different perspectives on the ongoing War in Gaza are marking the October 7th anniversary separately.
Jewish student groups on campus collaborated on an exhibition in the Mandela Room of the Old University Union that was open throughout the day. It has photos and information from many of the Jewish settlements and kibbutzes that were attacked by Hamas militants during their bloody rampage one year ago today that left 1,200 Israelis dead and more than 200 taken hostage.
Each display includes a narrative of what happened that day, how settlers responded and statistics on the number of dead, injured and taken hostage.
Senior Saul Hakim is a senior advisor for the BU Zionist Organization which prepared the event.
Hakim says the somber displays are meant to encourage learning and reflection in the hopes that such atrocities never happen again.
“The goal with this exhibit was to allow for a more personal connection. Where each individual can walk through on their own, at their own pace, and truly think back on what happened, and think about what we need to do as individuals to create a better future for all,” said Hakim.
Photos of the hostages taken were lined up on the floor, including Omer Neutra who deferred his acceptance to BU in order to spend a year in Israel. Above the pictures hung black streamers to symbolize the hostages that are known to have died, while yellow streamers represent the hostages whose fate is still unknown.
The groups plan a vigil at the university’s Peace Quad this evening starting at 6.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT – News 34.
