May 7, 2007
This summer has been a profoundly challenging time for the civilians of Israel and Lebanon, and for the men and women of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Between July 12th and August 14th:
- 3,970 Hezbollah rockets landed in Israel (http://www.mfa.gov.il/)
- 4,262 Israeli civilians were treated in hospitals for injuries (www.mfa.gov.il)
- 117 IDF soldiers and 39 civilians were killed (Yediot Ahronoth, 8/15/06)
- 12,000 Israeli homes were damaged and 750,000 trees burned (Yediot Ahronoth, 8/15/06)
Out of the painful news and imagery surrounding this conflict arises a critical opportunity -- to engage in proactive Israel education and advocacy on America's college campuses this fall. As the pages of the fall ICC resource guide demonstrate, there are myriad ways to take action -- representing the broad spectrum of voices within the Jewish community. But the only certainty is that we must do just that -- take action. We must speak out -- to educate about and advocate on behalf of Israel.
The resources that the ICC is providing -- including sample initiatives for Israel education and advocacy on campus, the ICC Israel Action Grants, opportunities for travel to Israel, background and messaging information, and details regarding member organizations and their fall initiatives -- are intended to empower both students and campus professionals alike.
Now is the time for students across the United States to educate themselves and their peers about Israel, and to advocate on behalf of the State of Israel. The thirty member organizations of the Israel on Campus Coalition are committed to engaging students across the country, through diverse perspectives, during the month of September and throughout the fall semester... to providing resources and information to students nationwide in support of student-led initiatives on behalf of Israel.
Please stay tuned as further resources become available; visit this website for updates, and be certain to sign-up for e-mail news updates via the Israel Campus Beat. Together -- students and campus professionals alike -- we can make a tremendous, positive impact on campus this fall.
Warm regards,
David A. Harris, Executive Director