This morning, the Technion hosted a rally to support the release of the abductees and to show solidarity with their families. Displayed prominently on the Elishar Central Library at the Technion were photographs of the abductees, accompanied by the caption: “We must bring them home now – #BringThemHomeNow.”
The rally, attended by the Technion’s administration, along with hundreds of students, administrative, and academic staff, was MC’d by Prof. Lihi Zelnik-Manor of the Viterbi Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering. She stated, “Forty-seven days have elapsed since that fateful and horrific Shabbat, a day that has forever changed us. During these forty-seven days of shock and mourning, our thoughts have constantly been with the murdered victims and the hundreds of abductees forcibly taken to Gaza. This rally and the exhibit at the Central Library serve as a reminder to ourselves, the Technion community, the citizens of Israel, and the entire world that abducting civilians violates not only legal but also moral principles.”
Prof. Uri Sivan, President of the Technion, addressed the rally, saying, “This event is not just ‘another round of fighting’ in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but a heinous crime against humanity perpetrated by terrorists who have forsaken their humanity. The barbaric acts of these murderers will be indelibly recorded in Jewish history, alongside the Holocaust, and will be forever etched in the hearts of all civilized people. These acts must be recognized for what they are – unforgivable crimes against humanity.”
“We are all deeply saddened and grieving, yet among us are those who have been personally affected by this tragedy – the families of the murdered, the abducted, and the wounded. These are parents, children, siblings, and friends. As a parent and grandparent, I can only begin to fathom their anguish. Yet, none of us can truly understand the anxiety, worry, and yearning that keeps them awake, haunting every moment. Our hearts go out to them. We look into their eyes and into the eyes of the other abductees and their families, vowing that we will not rest until each abductee is safely returned to their loved ones.”
For a broadcast from the rally, click here.