The Hebrew University administration is shocked and deeply mourns the brutal murder of Carmel Gat and five other hostages held by Hamas.

Carmel, a master’s student at Hebrew University’s School of Occupational Therapy, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7. Her mother, Kinneret, was murdered. Her sister-in-law, Yarden Roman-Gat, who was abducted alongside her, was released after 54 days in captivity.

Prof. Asher Cohen, President of Hebrew University, stated:
"This morning, we woke up to a nightmare that has persisted since October 7. Carmel Gat, our student, was murdered in cold blood in Hamas captivity. During the 11 months she was held hostage, we expressed our hope and cried out alongside her family – some of whom are also Hebrew University students – to bring her home swiftly. In rallies and ceremonies, physical and virtual spaces. In silence, in grief, in broken voices, and in cries of anguish."

We, Prof. Asher Cohen, President of the University; Prof. Tamir Sheafer, Rector; Mr. Yishai Fraenkel, Vice President and CEO; and Prof. Guy Harpaz, Dean of Students, demand that the government make the hostage deal its top priority and sign an agreement now!

"We cannot continue to abandon our people to murderers. Even at painful costs, we must do everything to bring back the 101 hostages still held in Gaza. Today is a day that will be remembered in infamy. We will no longer remain indifferent to the continued abandonment of our people in Gaza."

Sincerely,
Prof. Asher Cohen, President
Prof. Tamir Sheafer, Rector
Mr. Yishai Fraenkel, Vice President & CEO
Prof. Guy Harpaz, Dean of Students