EXCLUSIVE: Harvard med students spark outrage with Gaza vigil honoring ‘martyrs’ killed in the Hamas-Israel war

Wednesday, October 15, 2025
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EXCLUSIVE: Harvard med students spark outrage with Gaza vigil honoring ‘martyrs’ killed in the Hamas-Israel war

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BOSTON — Harvard Medical School is facing fury after students announced a “Vigil for Gaza” on Instagram — describing the dead as “martyrs” just days after violent pro-Palestine riots shook Boston Common and hostages were freed from Hamas captivity.

The vigil, promoted by a group calling itself HMS Students for Health Equity in Palestine, urges “medical students, healthcare workers, and allies from across Boston” to gather on the Harvard Medical School Quad to “mourn the martyrs.” The Instagram flyer accuses the U.S. and Israel of “ongoing genocide” and calls for solidarity with Palestinians “in their struggle for freedom.”

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Harvard med students are hosting a “Vigil for Gaza” — calling the dead “martyrs” — just days after violent pro-Palestine riots shook Boston Common and hostages were freed from Hamas captivity.
Harvard med students are hosting a “Vigil for Gaza” — calling the dead “martyrs” — just days after violent pro-Palestine riots shook Boston Common and hostages were freed from Hamas captivity.

Critics say the language and timing are incendiary. “Absolutely repulsive and shocking the school is allowing this,” one Boston resident told Mass Daily News. The announcement surfaced less than a week after pro-Palestine demonstrators clashed with police at Boston Common, forcing officers to clear the park and sparking citywide backlash.

A violent pro-Palestine mob turned Boston Common into chaos last week, sending four police officers to the hospital. Several protesters were arrested and charged with anarchy
A violent pro-Palestine mob turned Boston Common into chaos last week, sending four police officers to the hospital. Several protesters were arrested and charged with anarchy
Roder Atwood, 21, a Tufts student, was arrested after allegedly breaking a Boston police officer’s nose during the pro-Palestine riot. His bail was set at $10,000 after the violent clash that sent four officers to the hospital.
Roder Atwood, 21, a Tufts student, was arrested after allegedly breaking a Boston police officer’s nose during the pro-Palestine riot. His bail was set at $10,000 after the violent clash that sent four officers to the hospital.

The event, set for Thursday, October 16 at 6 p.m., appears limited to Harvard affiliates, but the post has already spread widely online. Critics have accused the university of enabling radical activism under the banner of “equity,” while others defended it as free expression.

Harvard has not issued a public statement. But with tensions still high from the Boston protests and ongoing hostage recoveries in Israel, the timing of the vigil is drawing scrutiny.

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EXCLUSIVE: Harvard med students spark outrage with Gaza vigil honoring ‘martyrs’ killed in the Hamas-Israel war - Mass Daily News