By: SSI NationalThe second Annual Students Supporting Israel National Conference will take place in Minneapolis from August 13th to the 15th, with over 50 students from all over the United States in attendance. SSI is looking forward to this exciting event as this conference is the product of the hard of work and determination to bring the vision of a united, pro-Israel student movement to life.
Despite the increased awareness of the pro-Israel community in the last couple of years of the antisemitism and anti-Israel feelings on college campuses, the problem has only gotten worse. According to the AMCHA Initiative report on Antisemitic Activity in 2015 at U.S. Colleges and Universities with the Largest Jewish Undergraduate Populations, there is a strong correlation between anti-Zionist groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and antisemitism. In addition, the report found that BDS is strongly correlated with antisemitic activity, the presence of SJP, faculty boycotters and BDS are strong predictors of antisemitism, and anti-Zionism permeates and is inseparable from contemporary campus antisemitism.
Facing false and misleading messages by SJP members and BDS efforts on our campus, Students Supporting Israel decided that the pro-Israel community can no longer watch from the side or take a defensive approach, but the time has come to be on the offense. This means taking back our campuses on the grassroots level, because this is where the opinions of the future generations are being shaped and where SJP and BDS spreads their message.
SSI’s solution to the problem was to unite pro-Israel activists from all over the country to reassure students who opposed the demonization of the state of Israel on campus that they are not alone. In our work we want to change the negative climate many pro-Israel students encounter on campus, and by being part of a united, strong and thriving international movement, students are empowered by each other to express their views in support of Israel, take initiative, and be vocal and confident in their actions.
The second Students Supporting Israel conference will be dealing with all those issues that are of interest to students who are ready to go out and work on the grassroots level, to put boots on the ground and confidently stand for what they believe in. The conference will be attended by students as well as inspiring speakers from diverse backgrounds. It will include hands on activities and simulations, preparing students with the skills and motivation to go back to campus, and leading by example, inspire their peers and the pro-Israel community in addition to growing the pro-Israel tent on their campus. Students Supporting Israel is a rapidly growing Pro-Israel international campus movement that supports the State of Israel. Founded at the University of Minnesota in early 2012, it currently has multiple chapters across the United States Canada and Austria.