Maintaining Our Campus Culture
December 20, 2024
Dear Stony Brook Campus Community,
On Thursday, November 21, a banner featuring red hands was unfurled from the roof of our Student Activities Center, advocating for divestment from Israel. The banner was promptly removed, and an immediate investigation into this university policy violation regarding the hanging of banners was launched and is ongoing. Subsequently, there have been additional reports of the use of red hands imagery on our campus.
I have come to more deeply understand the significance of the “red hands” symbol and its impact on our Jewish students, faculty, and staff. As we work together to sustain a campus climate of decency, civility and mutual respect, I would like to share what I have learned.
The image evokes a painful history tied to a widely circulated photograph from October 12, 2000, when two Israeli soldiers were lynched in Ramallah. The photograph, known as the “red hands of Ramallah,” depicts one of the killers displaying bloodied hands to a cheering crowd. For many in our Stony Brook Jewish community, this symbol represents profound fear and trauma.
To be clear, this symbol has no place on our campus. I strongly condemn the use of this symbol and I will work tirelessly to make sure no member of our community is intimidated or made to feel unwelcome.
As we prepare for the year ahead, I ask all members of the Stony Brook community to foster a culture of respect, empathy, and civility. While we encourage open and productive dialogue, it must always be conducted in a manner that reflects our shared commitment to mutual understanding and decency.
Sincerely,
Richard L. McCormick
Interim President