On a major Jewish holiday in early October, Hamas, an armed Palestinian militant group, attacked Israel by air, land and sea, killing more than 1,400 Israeli people and taking over 200 hostages.
Not long after the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the country was at war. Since then, Israeli forces have launched an extensive counter-offense in Gaza.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that more than 9,700 Palestinians have been killed in the subsequent days.
Despite being thousands of miles away, the war has prompted activism among the San Diego State University community.
On Oct. 9, approximately 100 students and community members made a peaceful walk around campus in support of Israel, wearing shirts that said “Fighting with Love” and carrying Israeli flags. The march was organized by the Hillel Center, Alpha Epsilon Pi and Students Supporting Israel to show support for the Jewish and Israeli community.
“We want to share that we want peace,” Ori Lerer, the president of Alpha Epsilon Pi, said. “That’s all we’ve ever really wanted is peace and that’s why we choose to do all of our events in a very specific peaceful way…it was amazing seeing everything come together and I was really proud of myself and everyone who helped put this event together.”
Students also created a display at the Aztec Student Union to bring attention to people being held hostage by Hamas. Posters lined the steps of the union and hung from the top floors of the building with the names, ages and photos of those kidnapped. Students gathered there, held signs reading “bring them home” and waved Israeli flags.
There were also events held in support of Palestine. 
A march was held on Oct. 11, where students gathered with Palestinian flags and signs, including a large banner reading “End U.S. Funds to Israel.” When the group reached Hepner Hall, they chanted “Free Palestine.”
A vigil was later held in recognition of Palestinians killed during the war, which was organized by Students for Justice in Palestine. The somber event was held outside Hepner Hall where students sat with candles and listed to speeches by student leaders.
“Palestinians deserve the right to live and deserve dignity, freedom and justice,” One student speaker said. “We must take action now and we will not stop until (there is) complete liberation.”
The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) at SDSU also held an event in support of Palestine, titling their latest meeting “Stop Israel’s Genocide Against Gaza.”
“We understand that many students may be unfamiliar with the complexity of an issue like Israel and Palestine or the role that capitalism has to play in it,” Joseph Kendrick, the president of IYSSE, said. ‘That’s why our recent meeting, which filled our meeting room to capacity, focused on providing the historical context of the situation as it’s developed in Palestine over the last 100 plus years. It’s clear from talking to youth and students that the sentiment for systemic change is there.”
Regardless of students positions on the conflict, Ahmet Kuru, a professor of political science, recommends students research the historical and contemporary complexity of the region through various sources.
“By reading diverse sources, students can develop their skills of evaluating sources in a critical manner,” Kuru remarked.
He also referred students to a recent panel on the topic.
“I encouraged my students to attend a very important panel SDSU Department of Political Science organized on the recent aspects of the conflict,” Kuru added. “The panel included two professors of political science, Farid Abdel-Nour and Jonathan Graubart, one professor of history, Susanne Hillman, and one USD professor of history, Ted Falk.”
The panel is now available on YouTube. Students will also have the opportunity to learn more about the conflict through the campus community.
“Many SDSU centers will be hosting events, speaker series and community gatherings in the coming weeks to foster…dialogue,” Adela de la Torre, the president of SDSU, said in a statement. “No matter your background, we encourage you to become informed and engaged.”
SDSU urges students who need support to seek out various campus services.
