The attack by Hamas on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and the Israeli invasion of Gaza and intensification of violence that followed have resulted in tens of thousands of civilians being killed and many more being injured and displaced from their homes. The conflict has also spread to involve other countries and non-state organizations in the region.
The effects of these conflicts and the ongoing war have also been felt by members of the University of Washington community. This page is intended to provide resources for understanding the war as well as detailing the University’s response to antisemitism and Islamophobia, broadly defined.
War in the Middle East Lecture Series
The University of Washington Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies and the Social Sciences Division of the UW College of Arts and Sciences, in partnership with the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, collaborated to produce a series of talks and discussions on the aftermath of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks on Israel, the war in Gaza and responses worldwide. The series was moderated by Reşat Kasaba, Jackson School Professor of International Studies and Middle East expert.
The events took place weekly from Jan. 16 to Feb. 27, 2024. The lecture series was free and open to students and the public, with recordings of the events posted on the Jackson School website.
University task forces on antisemitism and Islamophobia
President Cauce created two task forces to assess and address concerns about antisemitism and about Islamophobia. Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs Ed Taylor is co-chairing both groups to ensure institutional leadership support for each effort and provide a formal connection to the Office of Educational Assessment. Each group also appointed a faculty co-chair.
Learn more about the task forces at the Antisemitism and Islamophobia Task Forces website.
Relevant University statements
Oct. 9, 2023: Civilians will pay the terrible price of the conflict in Israel and Gaza
Oct. 12, 2023: Comments during the Q&A at the 2023 Annual President’s Address
Nov. 6, 2023: In the face of conflict, let us recognize our shared humanity
Dec. 1, 2023: Our University will not tolerate religious bigotry or harassment
March 26, 2024: Our community is stronger than hate and discrimination
April 5, 2024: The vandalism of the HUB is not a protest – it is a crime
May 10, 2024: University statement on encampment and counter-protest on Sunday
May 15, 2024: Update on the tent encampment in the Quad
May 17, 2024: Resolution to the encampment in the Quad
Community dialogue best practices
As we approach dialogue around this topic, it is important that we proactively consider ways to engage constructively and learn together. Leaning on the work of our colleagues in the School of Social Work, here are some tips and best practices on effective listening, dialogue in lieu of debate, and empathy coupled with civility in difficult conversations.
Effective listening is an essential quality in meaningful dialogue and is markedly different from everyday conversation. Effective listening includes:
- Setting aside your own agenda while someone else is speaking.
- Acknowledging the emotional impact that the current and historical context may have upon the words of the speaker and the listener.
- Giving people grace and space to meet someone where they currently are with the opportunity to learn and grow together.
- Empathy is an important component of effective listening. Empathy is defined as perceiving and responding to the feelings of another person while remaining in touch with your own feelings.
Dialogue is not debate—there are no winners or losers in a dialogue. Dialogue also recognizes the dynamics of societal power as well as personal lived experiences. Rather dialogue is a process, where reflection and inquiry are at the core.
One of the dialogue techniques we can explore as a community is LARA: Listen, Affirm, Respond, Add Information. It has been adopted by many as a tool to engage in conversations around difficult topics and to provide a framework for responding to comments or questions—especially the hostile or threatening ones.
As a diverse community of students, educators and leaders, we must remember to lead with an open mind and an open heart, always willing to listen as well as willing to strive towards healing and strengthening our community during difficult times.