The meeting with the President and the VPs regarding the current situation

Ariel Porat started the conversation by saying that Internationals are important part of TAU, and many of us are into a dilemma. They find themselves in the decision making moment: to stay? to leave? to change?

Ariel stressed the thing: we are at war. But let's focus on the future. What's next? Ariel thinks that the war won't escalate and the only front will be on Gaza. He also added that Israelis are used to living under this kind of events, while internationals have different feeling, which are understandable.

Nevertheless, Israelis feel very secure in their country, especially in the center of Israel. "Israel is very well protected, especially in places with very large situation, such as Tel Aviv" he claimed. "Here, the risk to be hit is small, even neglectable. Obviously, there is no guarantee, but we are confident that things are safe. The risk of a terror attack in Tel Aviv right about now is the same that you would have every other day" Ariel concluded.

Personally, Ariel is not feeling threatened and he does not feel the need to leave or to change his life. He also thinks that, unless things will get worse in the North, the South front is not that threatening, especially from Tel Aviv perspective.

Ariel added that "Today we see the Israeli society very unite and cohesive, with the aim to end the war as soon as possible and possibly winning".

Milette and Dan (the two VPs, Milette of the International affairs, Dan of the Research and Development) introduced other members of the TAU International school and tried to give some answers to the questions and doubts from the audience.

From what we know, 

• TAU will continue with the scholarships and the support to each student/postdoc (apparently even if a researcher takes more than a month off from the campus, provided they are working remotely). TAU will welcome back the researchers who will come back here when the situation gets better.

• While abroad, keep in touch with the university, since we expect the situation to get better in a very little time.
• Any incoming research can get in touch with Zoe Reichmann, TAU Research Liaison (tauresearch@tauex.tau.ac.il) and the team will help them to settle down. Meanwhile, if possible, one can start their work remotely. This doesn't mean there will be changes in the fellowship, everything should be as it is right about now.
• Zoe is a 'in between' person, who can help but is not in the administration board. She can actually direct you to the right person. It is important to keep in touch with her and to address your problems.

• This situation could last a few days, as a week or as much as one month. Still we don't know for sure, though that Ariel and the VPs feel confident that this situation will get solved soon.

• TAU policy respect the individual decision, whether to stay or to leave. TAU is open, classes will begin and the university is coming little by little to the normality. It is not necessary to work remotely for long time, and it is better to join the campus.

• The academic year should open November the 5th according to the circumstances. Our goal is to bring ahead the programs of the university.

• TAU is a client of  Shikun & Binui Real Estate, so it is not directly in charge of the accommodation in Broshim and Einstein. They are negotiating with the company in order to manage the dorm situation, which now it is not clear. We remind that in this moment, various volunteers allowed the families of TAU students originally from the South of Israel to be hosted in the dorms. Also, there is an initiative for the students/researchers who are not in TAU to be hosted in Broshim in these challenging time. If not specified differently, upon the signature of the contract, your rent starts consequently. For further clarifications and info, contact Shlomi, TAU housing coordinator (housing@tauex.tau.ac.il)

Ariel visited the communities close to Gaza and the families. Ein HaBesor community in particular was successful in recovering from the Hamas terrorists and/or escape them. Right about now, this community needs volunteers as the farms are in need of workforce. TAU is involved in this and is recruiting the students who feel like helping in this delicate and terrible situation. 

Also several faculties and students and schools are helping, such as Psychology and Dentistry. Many are contributing in hosting the families who come from the south and have become refugees. 5000 students are in the reserves and active on the front. Around 10 students died in the confrontations.

The VP for equity, diversity and community Neta Ziv (zneta57@gmail.com) is active as well to recruit volunteers and extra help. She also help students in complex situations when they feel discriminated.

Maureen is another important member of TAU International school: she highlighted there are opportunities for donations are available on campus. The School of Medicine is organizing the collection. In Broshim, there are families hosted in the apartments and individual initiatives to donate food and items to these families.

In support of TAU and the current situation, various students came together and through personal contacts and social media, and are active in a project of cohesion. Ask Zoe for further information. I report the email and the letter here below.

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Dear students and researchers,

 
We hope this email finds you well. A group of fellow international students started this amazing new initiative, and we wanted to share with all of you. They're looking for more international students to sign the letter..
 
This is also an opportunity to remind you that we are here for you if you need anything!
 
The student life team
 
 
Hey there!

I hope you're doing well. We, a bunch of international students at Tel Aviv University, are coming together to uncover the real deal about what's happening in Israel.

We woke up to sirens, not sunshine, on the 7th of October, and it hit us hard that we're in the middle of some serious chaos. We've seen and heard things that we can't keep to ourselves anymore. From terror attacks to brutal killings and kidnappings, it's been one hell of a week.

We've decided to take action and spread the word on social media. Check out "israelwarstory" on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook, where we're putting out legit info about what's going down. We want everyone to see the truth.

We need your help, though. We prepared the letter below and attached which we are sure resonates with many of you. If it does, we would love to add your name and country as signatories of the letter- please fill out the form to have your name added by tomorrow Wednesday the 18th at 10am. This is about standing up to terror and fighting for what's right.

And finally, if you're interested in volunteering, don't hesitate to put your details here. We're adding volunteers gradually!
Let's make a difference together.

Take care,
TAU Task Force
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International students of TAU to the world.
 
We are a group of international students at Tel Aviv University coming from all corners of the globe. We have different backgrounds, a spectrum of study interests, diverse political views, races, and religions. However, we have united to share the truth about what we are seeing and experiencing here in Israel. 
 
On the 7th of October, 2023, we were woken up not by the rays of a beautiful morning sun but by the sound of the sirens. We were shocked and unprepared, and especially unprepared for what the day was about to bring. With every passing hour, it became more and more clear that we woke up to war, to a new reality where Israel was attacked by the terrorist group Hamas. It is hard to believe how many horrific things happened during the past week. From the Tel-Aviv area, we began to hear news from the south of the country about the terrorists massacring young people in a peace festival, about killing, raping, and kidnapping innocent people, about massive bombings leading to the complete destruction of various villages and the death of hundreds of citizens. Not to mention the barbaric acts of beheading kids or recording the torturing of hostages. We believe that the world needs to see and recognize that these are nothing other than acts of terrorism. 
 
We are writing these words on a day when Israeli soldiers are still sacrificing their lives to defend their brothers and sisters, innocent people are kept hostage, and we grow anxious every time we hear the siren. In the meantime, we hear sounds even more concerning than those coming from the battle, voices of people who justify the attacks, support the terror, and remain blind to the fact that this is more than just ‘’a regular conflict in the Middle East’’. Hearing that, we decided that we can not remain silent. We decided to use our knowledge and international perspective to raise the awareness of societies worldwide. This time, it is not about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. What is happening in Israel right now is a threat to all humans everywhere, and therefore all should unite against it. 
 
We stand with humanity. We believe this is not a war of Israelis against Palestinians or Jews against Arabs. This is a war of humanity against terrorism, of good versus evil.