[Plsfaculty] FW: Compassion and Support for Students and Employees from Israel and Gaza

Mon Oct 9 22:01:07 MST 2023

Dear all:

In 2014, I spent a couple of summer weeks in Israel.  As part of this visit, I traveled south to Masada, the Dead Sea, and Be’er Sheva beyond.  I also visited Ofakim, a small town between Be’er Sheva  and Gaza.  It’s about 13 miles from Gaza, about the distance between UA and Oro Valley. It was attacked yesterday, and a number of residents were killed and others kidnapped to Gaza.

In terms of scale, it’s important for us also to remember that the entire state of Israel is half the size of Pima County.  During my trip, just outside of Jerusalem, I took a wrong turn (courtesy Google Maps) inadvertently entering the West Bank. My rental car was promptly tagged by rocks thrown by locals.

I keep in close contact with Dr. Etti Or, a long-time research collaborator at the Agricultural Research Organization, Volcani Center, in Rishon LeZion. It’s hard to understand how so much antagonism has arisen and persisted over millennia. It’s equally hard to figure out how we might help solve this issue. But we must persist.

Please let me know if you have any specific needs regarding the middle east in general, and Israel/Palestine in particular. If you have any students or colleagues that are directly affected, please let me know immediately.

Sincerely, David

From: President Robert C. Robbins <president at comms.arizona.edu>
Sent: Monday, October 9, 2023 9:12 PM
To: galbraith at arizona.edu
Subject: Compassion and Support for Students and Employees from Israel and Gaza

Our hearts are with all those who are suffering.

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October 9, 2023, 9:11 p.m.

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Dear Students and Colleagues,

I have been horrified at news of the terrorist attacks in Israel that reached us over the weekend. Terrible and tragic stories have continued to emerge from the region, where innocent civilians have lost their lives and many are now caught in an escalating conflict.

When news first broke, we promptly connected with a faculty member and graduate student we knew to be in the region when fighting began, confirmed their safety, and provided necessary resources for them.

Our hearts are with all those who are suffering in that region as well as all in our community who are concerned for loved ones, friends, and colleagues. If you have loved ones in the areas where hostilities are occurring or are otherwise affected by this conflict, please know the University as an institution and our Wildcat community are here for you.

During this painful time, I ask that everyone remember our core values of compassion and inclusion. The University of Arizona stands against all forms of racism and prejudice, and I urge every member of our community to stand together in upholding our values. Our Wildcat community is strongest when we care for and support one another.

If you are in need of help during what I know must be a stressful and challenging time, please reach out to those around you and make use of the resources available, including CAPS for students and ComPsych for employees. Additionally, UArizona Hillel Foundation has shared that Hillel Arizona adjacent to campus will be open to provide a place for students, faculty, and staff to gather during this difficult period. Support is also available through the Center for Middle Eastern Studies.

More details are in the resources section below.

Sincerely,

Robert C. Robbins, M.D.

President
The University of Arizona

Resources

  *   The Dean of Students Office<https://click.comms.arizona.edu/?qs=d609bc7176827abb2548d67c1c16a6f8ec958f7f0fc72901f36b55daed35814b8ded7518f8306505277e9e894ee93bf9c8f2b013020861f2> has resources to help students and those who work with students.
  *   Students in need of mental health support can contact Campus Health’s Counseling and Psych Services<https://click.comms.arizona.edu/?qs=d609bc7176827abb52fb8c0707d90159f765cfd65fe6966d06db3fe3b57293df55cfaefdb4439ccbe4185b395d5bbc149f0b4a08a075e3dc>. CAPS can be reached by calling 520-621-3334<tel:520-621-3334> , scheduling an appointment online<https://click.comms.arizona.edu/?qs=d609bc7176827abb634bc540c2d24c30d2f0519f27474b9cd133eee911fb0a6345aa6fcc24f867d3625c4d0c1d5c42c71ad9506e66ec39ff>, or dropping in at one of the CAPS locations<https://click.comms.arizona.edu/?qs=d609bc7176827abbb54f67c63e874218cd3914e0f05d2a6d4b81cfacbf851c8d0e7aee70f958a7b090f04165643a5d2c7e591b6395648214> during operating hours.  For crisis support, please call 520-621-3334<tel:520-621-3334> and press 1 if greeted by the automated message.  
  *   All benefits-eligible employees can contact Employee Assistance Counseling<https://click.comms.arizona.edu/?qs=d609bc7176827abb807eb8081e6e57cfd57a2a07bde7144afc10fdd39fdf69868574c8fb0f4c70b18aa3fad56f09a61b10bae1534837c6c4> for information about free and confidential one-on-one counseling available 24/7 through ComPsych. ComPsych can be reached at 877-327-2362<tel:877-327-2362> (TTY: 800-697-0353<https://click.comms.arizona.edu/?qs=d609bc7176827abbfbf5e094904833b5d9f02a8c2e30ad79b1421f80fd53fc5a042a5ff6b16a3cefa528e55c54751babda58a91ec9ebcc17>).
  *   The Threat Assessment and Management Team<https://click.comms.arizona.edu/?qs=d609bc7176827abbff65e1c9fb616782b044483ee5dee9b24b09f16187528769cea1566bff511a445791e442da106e6014f48741d4ba1ca7> website includes an incident reporting form as well as resources and tools for anyone experiencing threats and other concerning behavior.

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