Opinion: ‘I have lost a friend of mine to this ongoing war’

The devastating events happening in Israel right now are something I could never have imagined witnessing in my lifetime, nor my parent’s lifetime and nor my grandparent’s lifetime.

What Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups are doing to innocent civilians in Israel is sickening and harrowing, especially watching from afar from a seemingly powerless position. There are few countries, few nations and few peoples who feel this way towards their homeland as us Jewish people do and we are all suffering.

Personally, I have lost a friend of mine to this ongoing war. I had the privilege of going on Israel Tour with Nathanel Young who was tragically murdered whilst protecting his base.

Nat was an amazing person, always down for a laugh and a great friend with a pure heart. He loved music and DJing and always had time for all his friends and family. He really flourished once he made Aliyah and I can only pray that he is looking down on us with the big smile he always has.

Watching his funeral with my friends was totally shattering and the speeches his siblings gave were truly moving. I urge everyone to continue praying for those in Israel and that peace be upon us.

Upon reflection, in Leeds we have managed to unite Jewish and non-Jewish students on campus to come together and show solidarity for the massacre, rape and kidnapping of our people in Israel.

On Tuesday evening, we held a vigil on campus whereby 250 people attended, full of speeches, singing and crying. Although we are far away, this unity and solidarity shown certainly acts as a lift to all of us affected.

Unfortunately, this war has led to a rise in antisemitism, specifically on campus. We have already had numerous accounts of antisemitism faced on campus, and most disturbingly as professors have been present during these acts and have either refrained from calling it out or even laughed.

While the situation on campus is dire and many Jewish students are genuinely scared to express their Jewish identity, I nonetheless hold hope that we as Jewish students, and the wider Jewish people will pull through this horrendous period, together.

עושה שלום במרומיו הוא יעשה שלום עלינו ועל כל ישראל

May he who makes peace in high places make peace for us and for all Israel.

• Joel Herman is president of the Jewish Society at Leeds University