KIBBUTZ HOLIT, Israel — A University of Washington's International Studies Ph.D. program graduate was killed in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Dr. Hayim Katsman was murdered in his home in Kibbutz Holit on Saturday.
Hayim Katsman's sibling Noy Katsman said they checked on him via text Saturday morning to see if he was okay.
The text they got back said, "Terrorists coming into the kibbutz, but it's quiet," his sibling recalled. That was the last they heard of their older brother.
"It was really late already... and I didn't get any answer. And it was like, I can't believe there's no answer," said Noy Katsman.
Hamas terrorists had invaded his home, and he and his neighbor hid in his closet, according to Noy. But eventually, they said, "They found them, and they let his neighbor, who is a woman, they let her go. But they shot him right away."
Now, the Katsman family is waiting for answers on when they can retrieve his body to have a funeral.
"Because it's still like a warzone. So, very difficult for them to take out the bodies. So sadly, I just don't know yet," they said.
According to the university, Katsman received his Ph. D. from the UW Jackson School of International Studies in 2021. At UW, he dedicated his scholarship to understanding the interrelations of religion and politics in Israel and Palestine.
Katsman has won awards for his work, including the AIS Kimmerling Award for his paper, "The hyphen Cannot hold: Contemporary Trends in Religious Zionism."
In his Ph.D. dissertation with the university, he wrote, "I extend my deep gratitude to my committee chair, teacher, colleague and friend, Professor Jim Wellman, who stood by my side and supported me throughout the four-year-long process."
KING 5 sat down with Wellman after the news of his former student's death.
"It's hard to accept that he's gone," said Wellman.
The two previously went on a trip to Israel together. Katsman mentioned it in the dissertation, writing, "The time we spent together in my kibbutz in Israel is a fond memory."
Wellman said he is "crushed" by the news.
"It's very sad because he was a person who wanted and was sympathetic to both sides," said Katsman.
He researched religious-Zionist communities and their influence on Israeli societies.
"He was a pacifist, you know, in every sense of the word. And he was just a beautiful man who wanted to create peace, and sought to do that, in part, through his writing," said Wellman. "It's a terrible irony."
In addition to his list of academic achievements, members of the Association of Israel Studies remember Katsman as someone who was deeply committed to community service.
"In these moments of profound grief, we remember Dr. Katsman for his invaluable contributions to our academic community," members of the Association of Israel Studies wrote in a statement. "We extend our heartfelt sympathy to his family and close ones."
In a statement from the University of Washington, Katsman was remembered as a "greatly respected scholar."
The statement read, in part:
"Hayim was reportedly killed by Hamas gunmen in Kibbutz Holit where he lived. Here at the UW, he dedicated his scholarship to understanding the interrelations of religion and politics in Israel and Palestine — a vital contribution to understanding this region in the hopes of finding reconciliation. He was greatly respected by his Jackson School colleagues and the field as a whole, and we send our condolences to his family, friends, teachers, colleagues, and students."
The university included a list of resources for students from the region that may be affected. That list can be found here.
Another UW professor told KING 5 that he was an engaged scholar.
"He really had his finger on the pulse of some really important developments in the Israel-Palestine context," said Liora Halperin.
But as a person, they said he was so much more than his award-winning scholarly work.
"He was a DJ. He was a gardener. He worked in a garage as an auto mechanic, both in Israel and I believe here in Seattle. I said, 'Oh, can you fix my car?" she remembered, smiling. "He says, "Yeah, surely, you know, let me know what you need from me.'"
Around 900 people, including 73 soldiers, already have been killed in Israel, according to the media. In Gaza, more than 680 people have been killed, according to authorities there. Israel said hundreds of Hamas fighters are among them. Thousands have been wounded on both sides.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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