**A source in this story has elected to remain confidential for safety reasons.**
**The Daily Illini confirmed the identity of the Reddit post’s author quoted in the article.**
Multiple organizations partnered to erect a line of 10-foot milk cartons displaying Israeli-Americans killed or held hostage by Hamas on the south side of the Illini Union on Monday. The exhibit also featured various works from Jewish artists.
The Milk Carton Project is a collaborative effort between Kidnapped From Israel, Loving Moms United. The Chabad Center for Jewish Life as well as Living and Illini Hillel worked with these groups to bring the display to the University.
“Today, we’re here to create awareness about the hostages that were kidnapped and are still held in the hands of Hamas in Gaza,” said Rabbi Dovid Tiechtel, executive director of the Chabad Center.
According to a U.S. Department of State briefing on Oct. 7, there are an estimated 101 hostages who still remain in Gaza — seven of whom are Americans.
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The cartons featured pictures of the victims, displaying the words “HAMAS KIDNAPPED” and “HAMAS KILLED.”
In addition to the cartons, a large mural by Israeli artist Avi Tal depicting two young children clutching teddy bears was erected in Anniversary Plaza. Ethan Morady, senior in ACES, discussed the painting’s underlying message.
“It’s supposed to be the depiction of two children that were taken into captivity by Hamas and brought into Gaza,” Morady said.
Morady added that the cartons, sculpture and painting are on campus to remember those kidnapped and are not intended to be a political statement.
“This (the installation) is a very powerful thing, too, because this isn’t trying to vilify or demonize anyone,” Morady said. “It’s more of a memorial to show people what had happened and how much this has really affected a lot of the Israeli community.”
However, some felt differently about the presence of the exhibition.
Doron Leonardo Grossman-Naples, a graduate student studying mathematics, posted on Reddit about his belief that the milk cartons serve as Israeli wartime propaganda.
“Those Jewish Illini who choose to desecrate the name of our people by using it as a tool for inflicting violence are given money and a platform by the university administration, who stand to profit from this war,” Grossman-Naples said in the post. “Those of us who do not (profit) are silenced, threatened, and forced to watch as our false consent is proudly written atop booths and propaganda posters.”
According to the Illini Union’s Event Service Policies, “freestanding banners or displays may be used with a table reservation but … the displays cannot be wider than 6 feet wide by 8 feet tall.”
However, Chantelle Thompson, interim assistant vice chancellor for strategic operations for the University, said in an email statement, “organizers followed the proper procedures to post their display and did not violate university policies.”
A member of Prairie Liberation Center, who elected to remain confidential, said they are disappointed the University permitted the installation to be erected, given the implementation of changes to the University’s policy on property access and expressive activity following the spring protests for Palestine.
“They were allowed to get special permission to put on this event (when) there are eight people so far facing felony mob action charges for doing something very comparable in front of the Alma Mater,” the confidential member of PLC said.
Tietchel said the installation follows students ripping down posters memorializing Israeli hostages hung throughout campus and an overall rise of antisemitism throughout not only the University’s campus but the entire nation.
“There is nothing political about a kidnapped person, yet they (the posters) are being torn down,” Tietchel said. “It’s very sad. Today, we’re working very hard to get that message out.”
Similar displays have appeared at other universities, as well as near the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August.
