University of Pennsylvania
Fall 2002
CONTENTS:
Activities Supporting Israel
Activities
Critical of Israel
Ways
to Support Israel
Campus
Media on Israel
FALL 2002
Over 1000 students signed an ad in the Daily Pennsylvanian(DP) sponsored by PennPac stating: "Wherever We Stand, We Stand With Israel." The full page ad is published the day after the divestment campaign against Israel is announced at a Noam Chomsky lecture.
Pro-Israel students publish numerous editorials and letters in the DP supporting Israel and opposing divestment. PennPac also sends emails to student leaders educating them about the true nature of the divestment movement.
Penn President Judith Rodin declares that Penn will not divest from Israel
Petition to oppose divestment from Israel and support the University of Pennsylvania's investment in Israel at www.PennJustice.org receives over 40 times as many signatures as divestment petition
Israel at Heart, a non-political organization focusing on educating students about the situation in Israel from the eyes of Israelis, sponsored three Israeli "young ambassadors" who were university students with army experience to speak to students.
The Ethiopian Jewish dance troupe Eskesta paid a visit to Penn last week, traveling all the way from the University of Haifa in Israel to share their story with students.
Nearly 100 students walk for victims of terror, almost $2100.00 raised for the Schneider Children's Medical Center in Israel.
Israeli pop star David Broza captivates Penn audience
Jonathan Kessler, AIPAC'S Leadership Development Director spoke to students about Israel Activism.
Penn students volunteered at the United Jewish Communities General Assembly, held here in Philadelphia. One Penn student presented her views on Israel affairs on campus, and a large group of students attended the various speakers and events.
Caravan for Democracy had intended to bring Mayor of Jerusalem Ehud Olmert to speak to students on campus, although due to the elections in Israel, he was unable to attend. In his place, Caravan organized a last minute replacement speaker. Ido Aharoni, the Israeli Consul General in New York in charge of Media Affairs spoke to a crowd of over 70 students. He was very well received and spoke on the current situation in Israel and the prospect of war with Iraq.
PennPAC organized an investment in Israel Bonds campaign. When the bond matures, the money raised will be donated to Magen David Adom. The campaign hopes to continue over the next semester.
Future Programs (see Calendar)
25 Penn undergraduates have organized a solidarity and volunteerism mission to Israel over Winter Break. They will be volunteering on an army base for a week assembling gas masks and doing various other critical (non-military) volunteer work. The program also includes various speakers, educational sessions, minimal touring and a weekend in a hotel. The trip is partially subsidized by Philadelphia Federation, Hillel of Greater Philadelphia, and various individual donors.
Dennis Ross confirmed to speak on March 23rd
Ehud Olmert is still planning to speak during the spring semester, although no plans are solidified.
Israeli Film Festival to be held on campus, still in initial planning stages.
A charity concert to support Israeli victims of terror is being planned.
FALL 2002
Noam Chomsky spoke at Penn on October 6th in an event that kicked off a divestment campaign against Israel. The event was sponsored by the University's Middle East Center and the Greenfield Intercultural Center; by the student run Penn Arab Student Society, Penn Progressive Activist Network, and Penn for Peace; and by the off campus Free Palestine Action Network, Palestine Media Watch, and Jewish Mobilization for a Just Peace.
Divestment campaign against Israel begins. It is repudiated by President Judith Rodin. A petition opposing divestment and in support of the University's investment in Israel at www.pennjustice.org receives 30 times as many signatures.
Tanya Reinhart, an Israeli academic supporting divestment and an academic boycott against Israel was brought to Penn in an event sponsored by Penn's Middle East Center, the student run Jewish Mobilization for a Just Peace, , Free Palestine Action Network, Penn Arab Student Society, Penn for Peace and the American Friends Service Committee
Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad spoke for Islam Awareness Week: "When questioned point-blank from audience members whether Israel has a right to exist, Ahmad responded no."
Archbishop Desmond Tutu announced as commencement speaker for 2003. Tutu a great humanitarian, but a critic of Israel who, as you can read in the linked articles, supports divestment and compares Israel to Apartheid South Africa. "His one blind spot," said Rabbi Howard Alpert, Executive Director of Hillel of Greater Philadelphia, "seems to be the right of Jews to live in peace and security in the land of Israel." President Rodin, in the same article, stated that Tutu will not speak on the Arab-Israeli conflict, but then acknowledged "that he will speak about whatever he wants." Tutu was considered for this role long before the divestment campaign began.
List Here:
Are you looking to start a new group supporting Israel or interested in taking on a specific project? You can contact the groups below to work with you and/or list it here as a way of reaching other students and supporters. Email us with your school, the purpose of your group or project, and your contact info. [email protected]
PennPac