Israel to help students combat antisemitism

The Jewish Agency and the Strategic Affairs Ministry announced on Tuesday the introduction of a program to prepare Jewish high school students around the world for anti-Israel activity and antisemitism that they may face on university campuses.

The program is set to begin this year in the US, and will later be extended to Latin America and Europe.

As part of the initiative, Jewish Agency emissaries will distribute preparatory and educational materials to thousands of students in their final year of high school to help them effectively tackle efforts to delegitimize Israel. The aim of the project is to provide the youngsters with a thorough knowledge of the history, values and perceptions of Israel and the Jewish world, and to give them tools to counter misinformation while strengthening their Jewish identity and connection to Israel.

Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan said he sees the struggle against the delegitimization of Israel on campuses as paramount. “Therefore, the ministry, under my leadership, initiated this new program together with the Jewish Agency to provide tools to Jewish students even before they arrive on campus, in order to prepare them for their studies, during which they may encounter hatred for Israel and the Jewish people,” he said.

Jewish Agency Chairman Natan Sharansky said, “It is important to deal with these challenges in public opinion, the media, academia and campuses. If we succeed to cooperate in this important struggle, it will strengthen the readiness and capabilities of the youth and will give them significant tools to better cope with propaganda smears, antisemitism and boycotts.”