Honorary degree presented to parents of Omer Neutra

VESTAL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – A would-be Binghamton University student that was killed and held hostage by Hamas was presented an honorary degree by Governor Hochul.

Hochul presented the Binghamton University degree to the parents of Omer Neutra. Neutra was a student from Long Island who had committed to attending BU, but deferred his acceptance in order to join the Israeli Defense Forces. He was killed in the Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7, 2023 and his corpse was held hostage until it was finally returned to Israeli authorities this past November.

While Neutra never attended BU, many of his high school friends did and his case became a focal point for many students on campus who held vigils in his honor. Hochul says she was proud to present Neutra’s family with the degree and says that he should be here to receive it.

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