(Washington, D.C.) In response to today's deadly rocket attack at Sapir College in Israel, Hillel President Wayne L. Firestone has issued the following statement:
 
"Hillel expresses our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Roni Yechiah who was killed today by rocket fire at Sapir College in Sderot, Israel. Our thoughts and prayers are with the students who have been wounded in this incident.

"This tragedy underscores the vulnerability of the citizens of Sderot who must endure these attacks on a daily basis. The attack is a violation of the very nature of the academic enterprise which fosters the development of young people and supports the pursuit of knowledge for all mankind. We invite our partners in the academic community to join us in condemning this heinous act.

"We have been in touch with Hillel Israel President Rabbi Yossie Goldman and with our Hillel director at Sapir College, Eyal Matzliach. Eyal is meeting with Sapir College administrators to assess the students' needs and to respond most appropriately. The international Hillel movement will work with our Israeli colleagues to provide support.

"Hillel opened a branch at Sapir College last year and we are intimately involved in its campus life. For months, these brave men and women have been reporting to work and attending class under stressful and dangerous conditions. These students and their professors are constantly in our thoughts.

"Just two weeks ago, Hillel's International Center in Washington, D.C., hosted Drs. Ruthie Eitan and Uri Bibi of Sapir College. They shared first-hand accounts of the daily anxiety and fear plaguing their campus. Today we join with them in solidarity and grief."

Additional stories:
University of Wisconsin-Madison Students Show Solidarity with Sapir College

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