We want to say that hard work and perseverance bring results and success. The opposite is also true; ignoring it leads to failure and crisis. This analogy aptly describes Israel’s inability to address the crisis of anti-Israel sentiment and anti-Semitism at some of the world’s leading academic institutions, and the resulting difficulties currently faced by thousands of Jewish students on campuses across the United States. It is depicted in
For many years, the Israeli government ignored this issue. They preferred to deal with issues directly related to Israel, such as security, defense, and foreign affairs. Israel’s involvement with major academic institutions gradually declined.
When a vacuum is created, an opportunity is created. In this way, the world’s academia, which has increasingly focused on human rights, gender equality, LGBTQ+ issues, and especially the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, has become virtually entirely occupied by anti-Israel and anti-Zionists. Ta. Power.
This is painful and problematic for several reasons. The first concerns connections with Jewish students around the world. There are currently approximately 800,000 Jewish students around the world, many of whom study at prestigious educational institutions. A significant number of these students consider themselves campus ambassadors for Jews and the State of Israel.
Are students feeling isolated?
These students need to feel that they are not alone, especially in the current situation. They need support and assistance, they need the knowledge and capacity to confront radical anti-Semitic elements, and they need the legitimacy and means to support Israel even in these difficult times. We need Israel’s involvement in academia that can help.
Second, and equally important, Israel must cultivate relationships and influence with major academic institutions. Whether we like it or not, America’s top universities will produce the next generation of world leaders over the next decade. Israel has no choice but to engage these important power centers and gain as much influence as possible. We must find ways to address the challenges of these institutes to tell Israel’s story and influence future world leaders.
Israel appears to be surrendering the fight as Qatar buys influence in student unions and influences the discourse of prestigious academic institutions. Eight US presidents have graduated from Harvard University. Other presidents have come from Columbia University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University. What do all these institutions have in common? They are all academic institutions currently at the center of an anti-Israel storm, and all have witnessed anti-Semitic protests.
War has many stages. The battlefield is just one of them. In addition, there are important areas such as social networks and global media, and it is no exaggeration to say that the academic area is one of the most important areas. But Israel surrendered on that front.
The author is the president of the National Union of Students of Israel.