April 30, 2008
David Makovsky, senior fellow and director of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy’s Project on the Middle East Peace Process, visited 13 diverse American college campuses this year through a grant facilitated by the ICC. As an academic and expert, Makovsky shared his extensive knowledge and breadth of experience with students – serving as a guest lecturer in several Middle East studies courses, speaking in campus-wide lecture forums and facilitating roundtable discussions with key faculty and student leaders. On several campuses, David Makovsky addressed the geopolitical threats facing Israel including daily rocket attacks by Palestinian terrorist organizations operating in Gaza, Hezbollah, Iranian nuclear proliferation and rising tensions with Syria. He also spoke about prospects for peace through the prism of the Annapolis peace talks.
The impact of David Makovsky’s campus tour was far-reaching. To ensure the comprehensive success of David Makovsky’s campus tour, the ICC worked with professionals and students on campus to select geographically and demographically diverse campus communities to host Makovsky. As a result, he spoke at schools with large and small Jewish populations and with varying degrees of Israel awareness. During his campus tour, Makovsky visited Binghamton University, University of Iowa, University of Wisconsin, University of California Irvine, University of California Los Angeles, University of California Berkeley, University of Texas, University of Oklahoma, Bryn Mawr College, Temple University, University of Illinois, Swarthmore College and University of Virginia.
Makovsky’s campus visit garnered attention in the Badger Herald, University of Wisconsin’s daily newspaper. Scott Resnick, Electronic Media Chair for the College Democrats was quoted as saying, “[He’s] someone who sees both sides of the issue and treats all parties with dignity…[Makovsky] brings a very level-headed and rational point of view.”
Based on the resonance of David Makovsky’s message of coexistence, pro-Israel students at the University of Illinois plan to invite members of the pro-Palestinian camp to attend Israel Week in hopes of fostering more positive relations with these groups. Of this inclusive strategy, ICC Student Leadership Council member Lisa Schneider asserted, “If we stay respectful it sends a message about how [Palestinian groups] should react to our events, and a message to neutral students attending both events.”
David Makovsky also visited the University of Iowa and the University of Oklahoma – both of which have small Jewish populations. Of Mr. Makovsky’s visit to the University of Oklahoma, Hillel executive director Jeremy Cassius recounted, “He clarified many confusing issues in the Middle East conflict such as the situations with Iran and Syria and he fielded wonderful questions from our students.”
Mr. Makovsky demonstrated a desire to help students identify challenges on campus, to explore complex issues and to equip students with the facts. Gordon Gladstone, executive director of UC Berkeley Hillel said enthusiastically, “He was a warm and engaging speaker whose range of knowledge on the issues of the Middle East was only matched by his interest in learning about the situation of students and the efforts they were undertaking on their own campuses.”
Of Makovsky’s campus tour, David A. Harris, executive director of the ICC noted, “The success of David Makovsky’s campus tour and the praise he has received from students and faculty is a testament to his thoughtful approach and commitment to providing students with balanced Middle East analysis. David continues to play a central role in increasing awareness and education about Israel on campus.”