The ongoing Israel-Hamas war has affected many on Wake Forest’s campus, including community members with cultural and familial ties to the region. In the year since Hamas’ initial attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, students, faculty and administrators have responded through organized events, demonstrations and protests.
Oct. 7 marks the first anniversary of Hamas’ surprise attack on Israeli towns bordering the Gaza Strip — a Palestinian territory that Israel and Egypt have blockaded for 16 years. The attacks resulted in the death of 1,200 Israelis and the capture of more than 200 hostages. There are an estimated 100 hostages still unaccounted for. Israel’s counterattack has included sending air strikes and troops into Gaza, which now faces a humanitarian crisis. Approximately 41,500 Palestinians have been killed, including civilians and militants.
The Old Gold & Black has been devoted to covering Wake Forest’s response to the ongoing war. Below is a timeline of how the war has impacted the campus community.
October 2023
WFU Jewish community hosts unity vigil
Students and administrators gathered on Manchester Plaza on Oct. 10 for a candlelight vigil. Organized by Wake Forest Hillel and Chabad, attendees heard from Jewish leaders on campus. Speakers read from Psalms, shared prayers for the Israel Defense Force (IDF) and gave remarks on spreading kindness and peace.
Students reflect on the Israel-Hamas war
American university campuses quickly became flashpoints for protests and advocacy. At Wake Forest, an Instagram account called @freepalestinewfu began posting content in support of Palestinian liberation. Students around campus shared with the Old Gold & Black their struggles to navigate the violence and political unrest in both Israel and Gaza. The University released a webpage with administration statements and resources for community members. Campus Life also held space for students to connect and explore how the University could better extend care to its community.
Professor resigns after facing backlash, threats after social media post
Former Kenan Chair of the Humanities Laura Mullen resigned from her position for personal reasons after facing intense criticism and threats to her personal safety following a post regarding the Israel-Hamas war she published to her personal X account on Oct. 12, which was deleted on Oct. 19.
November 2023
Muslim Students Association hosts prayers for peace vigil
Wake Forest students, faculty and administrators gathered again on Manchester Plaza for the second vigil hosted by Wake Forest students. Organized by the Muslim Students Association, the vigil was held for individuals to pray and remember the Palestinian and Israeli lives lost in the Israel-Hamas war. Speakers also called for an end to what they characterized as a genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza.
Author cancels WFU visit following professor’s resignation
Dr. Christina Sharpe, a renowned Black studies scholar, canceled her speaking event scheduled for Feb. 1, 2024, at Wake Forest because of what she described as the University’s “lack of commitment to academic freedom.” Mullen, who had resigned from her position at Wake Forest a month earlier, shared with the Old Gold & Black a statement written by Sharpe and sent by her agent that says “in light of [Wake Forest’s] lack of commitment to academic freedom and the resignation of Professor Lauren Mullen, I will no longer be visiting.”
History and politics professors host teach-in about the Israel-Hamas war
Four faculty members in the politics and history departments at Wake Forest hosted a teach-in at Benson University Center on Nov. 8. According to organizers, the event was held in response to students’ concerns that they did not have a space on campus to discuss the ongoing violence in Gaza. The teach-in aimed to create space to discuss and learn the context surrounding the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and the broader conflict between Israel and Palestine from which the current war stems.
Wake Forest College Democrats host friendship dinner
Toward the end of the fall semester, Wake Forest College Democrats hosted a friendship dinner intended to provide a safe environment for students to share perspectives about the Israel-Hamas war on Nov. 29. The event was met with mixed reactions, including some who questioned the apolitical nature of the event.
February 2024
Banners and flags in support of Palestine arranged around campus by students
Early in the spring semester on Feb. 8, Wake Forest woke up to various items in support of Palestine placed around campus. On Hearn Plaza, small, white flags representing children killed in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war covered the grass, and phrases such as “10,000 kids murdered” and “Justice for Palestine” were written in chalk on the brick sidewalks. Palestinian flags and banners with messages such as “Ceasefire Now” and “Stop Genocide” were hung on various buildings around campus. By 11 a.m., all materials had been removed by the University.
March 2024
Wake Forest Chabad and Hillel host Faces of Oct. 7 event
Lee Sasi, a survivor of Hamas’ surprise attack at the Nova Music Festival in Southern Israel on Oct. 7, came to Wake Forest to share her experience with community members. Sasi recalled the experience of being trapped in a small, cement bomb shelter and hiding for seven hours under the bodies of those who had been killed. A part of the “Faces of October 7” series, Wake Forest Hillel and Chabad hosted the event.
April – May 2024
Faith Forum brings a Christian perspective to the conversation about the Israel-Hamas war
To encourage conversation about how the Israel-Hamas war impacts those with a Christian background, then senior Hazik Azam brought three campus ministries together for a Faith Forum on April 8. Speakers included Hala Matalka, daughter of a Palestinian Christian refugee and staff member at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, as well as leaders from Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), Baptist Student Union (BSU) and Episcopal Student Fellowship (ESF).
Pro-Palestinian protest on Hearn Plaza evolves into encampment
Pro-Palestianian protesters set up an encampment in front of Wait Chapel on the evening of April 30. This followed a protest during the annual reading of the names of enslaved people who worked for the University or were sold in the 19th century to raise money for Wake Forest’s endowment. The encampment lasted through May 3, moving from Hearn Plaza to Manchester Plaza. The protest was dispersed early on May 3. According to a campus-wide email, the protest violated University policy and “agreed-upon terms,” and student protesters were told if they did not “immediately disperse,” per University instructions, they “would be subject to interim suspension.” Officers from the Wake Forest Police Department, Winston-Salem Police Department and the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office were present as the encampment was disassembled.
September 2024
Wake Forest cancels Oct. 7 speaker event after facing backlash
The University canceled an Oct. 7 speaker event featuring Rabab Abdulhadi, which faced significant backlash, including a student-run petition calling for the cancellation. A university-wide email from President Susan Wente and Provost Michelle Gillespie announced the cancellation of the speaker event and any other event that “is inherently contentious and stands to stoke division in our campus community.”
Oct. 7, 2024
(Editor’s Note: The Old Gold & Black is actively working to cover how Wake Forest commemorated the first anniversary of Oct. 7. This story will be updated with links to coverage as stories are published)
Wake Forest community commemorates Oct. 7
To the Old Gold & Black’s knowledge, four events were held today to commemorate the first anniversary of Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel and the war that ensued. The University hosted two events — a pop-in style Interfaith Prayers for Peace on Manchester Plaza and a Community Reflection Event on the front steps of Wait Chapel. Students also hosted events, including a pop-in style event titled “Spread Cream Cheese and Hummus, Not Hate” held by MSA and Wake Forest Hillel. Monday evening, Wake Forest Hillel and Chabad hosted a memorial service on Manchester Plaza.
Rabab Abdulhadi speaks at a local church after on-campus event canceled
Following the cancellation of the speaker event on campus, Rabab Abdulhadi gave her talk, titled “One Year Since al-Aqsa Flood: Reflections on a Year of Genocide and Resistance,” at a local church in Winston-Salem.
