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ASOR, the American Society for Overseas Research, condemns in the strongest possible terms Hamas’ vicious massacre of more than a thousand innocent non-combatant Israelis on Saturday, October 7, 2023.

ASOR is an organization that fosters a community of scholars across borders. Our mission is to initiate, encourage, and support research into, and public understanding of, the history and cultures of the Near East and wider Mediterranean world. ASOR is apolitical and has no religious affiliation. ASOR has a large and diverse membership that does not speak with one voice about world politics.

We believe strongly that recent attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians are not politics, but evil acts of terrorism. We agree and reaffirm with the President of the United States that Israel has the right and duty to protect its citizens. We also concur with a recent statement by President Biden that “the extreme elements of Hamas don’t represent all the Palestinian people.”

We grieve deeply with our Israeli colleagues. We also recognize that there is great suffering in Gaza and among the Palestinian people. We are deeply concerned for the well-being of civilians on all sides of the crisis. It is our hope that all of us will recognize and respect our common humanity.