October 18, 2023

To the Oakland University community,

As the violence in the Middle East continues, our hearts ache in response to the hundreds of deaths caused by the bombing of a hospital in Gaza, and we mourn and grieve the loss of life.

Everywhere, the urge must be resisted to further escalate the conflict, whether that is in the Middle East, with each other or in our hearts. We join the institutions of higher learning around the world advocating for all sides to value human life and act humanely toward each other.

There is no doubt that these are precarious days.

On Saturday, the senseless killing of a young Palestinian boy in Chicago as an act of brutal anti-Islamic prejudice warns us of the threat of extremism, and demands that we must see each other as people, not as targets of hatred and grievance.

In comments to the news media, the boy’s father said, “I’m here as the father of my son, not as a politician or religious scholar. I’m here as the father of a boy whose rights were violated.”

Here in metro Detroit and Oakland University, we must not succumb to prejudice and hate-inspired acts. There will be no tolerance for Islamophobia and antisemitism on our campus. Rest assured we will always strive to maintain an open, diverse, inclusive and secure learning environment.

As we struggle to make sense of the unfolding events in the Middle East, we must be mindful not to lose hope.

NOTE: If you need help coping with the stress from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East or from anything else, please contact the OU Counseling Center or the SEHS Counseling Center.

Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D., President
Oakland University