Founded 1897 FALL 2016 ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) Sen. Chuck Schumer at ZOA luncheon (D-NY) meets with Former Cong. Allen West ZOA activists (R-FL) with ZOA staffers

ZOA GALA DINNER: 2016 HONOREES BERNARD MARCUS The Louis D. Brandeis Award CONG. ED ROYCE Dr. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson Defender of Israel Award HON. DANNY DANON Dr. Bob Shillman Award for Outstanding Diplomacy Mortimer Zuckerman Award for Outstanding Journalism PROF. ALAN DERSHOWITZ

NOVEMBER 20, 2016 GRAND HYATT HOTEL, NYC Morton A. Klein with Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of Senate Foreign Relations Committee at ZOA Luncheon CALL 212.481.1500 EMAIL [email protected] REGISTER AT ZOA.ORG

Cong. Eliot Engel (D-NY) with Cong. Ed Royce (R-CA), Ranking Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) Member and Chair of House Foreign at ZOA1 luncheon Affairs Cmte., at ZOA luncheon Table of Contents

3 5 President’s Capitol Message Hill 15 ZOA People

26 Government Relations 18 Department Center for Law and Justice 31 Purim Mission

41 Around the Country 37 33 Israel Report ZOA Campus

Dr. Michael Goldblatt Henry Schwartz Published by the Chairman National Treasurer Zionist Organization Morton A. Klein Bart Blatstein of America President Associate Treasurer Email: [email protected] Irwin Hochberg David Drimer zoa.org Vice Chair, Board National Executive zoacampus.org Dr. Alan Mazurek Director 212.481.1500 Vice Chair, Board Founded 1897 Design: 55 Mark Levenson, Esq. Simone Weissman In Memoriam National Secretary ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA President’s Message

In the “West Bank,” and especially in Gaza—where not a single Israeli official, administrator, soldier, or policeman is to be found— Israel’s writ no longer runs, nor does it maintain law and order. By no stretch of the imagination can Israel be said to be occupying the Palestinian Arabs.

In May, a Peace Index survey found that belonging to another sovereign state. Since nearly three-quarters of Israelis—71.5 per- Judea/Samaria did not belong to the unlawful cent—do not view Israel’s control of most of occupier, Jordan, from whom Israel captured the Judea/Samaria as constituting an occupation. territory in 1967, the term “occupation,” so far This poll confirms a simple reality: There is no as international law is concerned, does not apply. Israeli occupation of Judea/Samaria. As Stephen Schwebel, a former State Depart- It is vital that we make an issue of countering ment legal advisor and former head of the the flat-earth assertion that there is an ongoing International Court of Justice in The Hague, has Israeli occupation, because the notion that the written: “Where the prior holder of territory had MORTON A. KLEIN Palestinian Arabs live under an Israeli occupa- seized that territory unlawfully, the state which National tion—and therefore require the world’s solidarity subsequently takes that territory in the lawful President, and massive pressure on Israel to acquiesce to the exercise of self-defense has, against that prior Zionist creation of a Palestinian Arab state—lies at the holder, better title.” Accordingly, Judea/Samaria Organization of America core of the campaigns being mounted to demon- is unallocated territory under international law, ize and delegitimize Israel, especially the Boycott, and Israel has a stronger claim to it. Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign. In fact, Israel has a greater political, religious, Not only is Judea/Samaria a portion of the legal, and historical right to that land than any territory earmarked for the Jewish national home other party. These territories were Jewish land and Jewish settlement in the San Remo Settle- thousands of years ago, under King David, King ment of 1920—which has never been super- Solomon and other Jewish rulers. All of the most seded by an internationally binding agreement important Jewish religious sites are located in these —but also almost all Palestinian Arabs in these territories. The very name “Judea”—commonly territories are living under Palestinian Authority used by the international community throughout (PA) rule. They are not ruled by Israel. the centuries to refer to these areas —derives from Jordan had no legal sovereignty over these the same root as the word “Jew,” attesting to the territories, but illegally seized and annexed them deep Jewish connection to the land. in 1949, and held them until 1967. Jordan’s Following the signing of the Oslo Accords in annexation was recognized only by Britain, 1993 and the Oslo II Agreement in 1995, the Iraq, and Pakistan. Jordan’s King Hussein relin- Israelis withdrew from nearly half of the terri- quished all claims to Judea/Samaria in 1988. tories, including the cities where 98 percent of Israel captured this land from Jordan in 1967, Palestinian Arabs reside, handing these territo- in a defensive war. Had Jordan not initiated hos- ries over to the control of Yasser Arafat’s PA. The tilities against Israel at that time—ignoring pleas areas from which Israel has not withdrawn are by Israel to stay out of the war that had already virtually uninhabited, except for the 2 percent erupted between Israel and Egypt—Israel would where Israelis reside. In January 1996, elections not control any part of Judea/Samaria today. to the Palestinian legislature were held, and the “Occupation” generally refers to one state Israeli Civil Administration and military govern- taking and holding territory recognized as ment were dissolved.

3 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

The Oslo As the distinguished historian Efraim Karsh effort was specifically rejected because it would has explained, “Since that time, nearly 60 have implied, wrongly, that Israel is obliged to agreements percent of [Palestinian Arabs] have lived entirely withdraw from all the territories. do not under Palestinian jurisdiction (Area A). Another It should also be noted that the Oslo Accords prohibit 40 percent live in towns, villages, refugee camps, recognize Israel’s right to remain in the territo- and hamlets where the PA exercises civil author- ries, at least until there is an Israel-PA agreement Israeli ity but, in line with the Oslo accords, Israel has on the final status of those areas. Chapter 2, residence maintained ‘overriding responsibility for securi- Article X, Clause 4 specifically recognizes that, ty’ (Area B). Some 2 percent of the West Bank’s in these disputed territories, “Israel shall contin- and population—tens of thousands of Palestin- ue to carry the responsibility for external securi- construction ians—continue to live in areas where Israel has ty, as well as the responsibility for overall security in these complete control, but even there the PA main- of Israelis for the purpose of safeguarding their tains ‘functional jurisdiction’ (Area C).” internal security and public order” until a final territories Article 6 of the Fourth Geneva Convention accord is reached. or require on the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time Furthermore, the Oslo agreements do not pro- of War states that a foreign power is only consid- hibit Israeli residence and construction in these Israel to ered an occupier “to the extent that such Power territories or require Israel to dismantle them. dismantle exercises the functions of government in such To the contrary, Oslo provides for Israeli and them. To the territory.” Based on this Article, Israel cannot be Palestinian building in zones under their respec- considered an occupier. tive control. Oslo also lists this as a final status contrary, In addition to having withdrawn from more issue, to be negotiated by the parties themselves. Oslo provides than 40 percent of Judea and Samaria, Israel has Israel is entitled to assert its right for its citizens withdrawn from all of Gaza. Today, 98 percent to live and build in these territories, and Jewish for Israeli of Palestinian Arabs live under their own regimes, residential rights in Judea/Samaria remain un- and Mahmoud Abbas’s PA in Judea and Samaria and impaired by the Oslo Accords. Palestinian Hamas in Gaza. They each have their own legis- Thus, the entire focus of the international com- lature, courts, police, schools, and media which munity on the “occupation” is wrong and the building are, respectively, illiberal, corrupt, brutal, and notion that there is an illegal Israeli “occupation” in zones hate-mongering. But they are theirs, not Israel’s. is a myth. Instead of seeking to end Israeli con- By no stretch of the imagination can Israel be said trol, the focus should be on ending the conditions under their to be occupying the Palestinian Arabs. that gave rise to Israeli conquest of the territories respective Because Israel’s presence in Judea/Samaria is in the first place and which remain operative— control. legal, UN Security Council Resolution 242 does Arab demonization of Jews, Judaism, and Israel, not require complete Israeli withdrawal from Arab support for terrorism against Israeli civil- Oslo also lists all the territories (as, for example, the Security ians, and Arab refusal to accept Israel’s existence this as Council demanded of Iraq in 1990, regarding its as a Jewish state of any dimensions in the his- unlawful invasion and annexation of Kuwait). toric Jewish homeland. a final Resolution 242 requires Israel to withdraw status “from territories”; the authors of this resolution issue, to be deliberately left out the word “the” before “terri- tories” because it was their conviction—as artic- negotiated ulated by then-British Foreign Secretary George by the Brown—“that Israel will not withdraw from all Morton A. Klein the territories.” The Soviet Union tried to insert National President parties the word “the” before the word “territories” in themselves. the resolution before it was voted upon, but that

4 Capitol Hill Pro-Israel Mission

ZOA Mission Brings Hundreds Of Pro-Israel Activists To Capitol Hill

Hundreds of activists from 21 states—from UN in the event that it enacts Security Council At the ZOA’s California to Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, resolutions in violation of international law. packed Florida, and many more—participated in the At the ZOA’s packed congressional luncheon, Zionist Organization of America’s annual Pro- held prior to the congressional meetings in the congressional Israel Capitol Hill Mission to Washington, sumptuous Kennedy Room of the Russell Senate luncheon, D.C., on May 11, 2016. Meeting with nearly Office Building, ZOA activists were joined and 100 members of Congress or their legislative addressed by numerous Democratic and Repub- held staffers, ZOA activists urged them to: lican senators and representatives, preceded by prior to the 1) Support S. 2725 (Iran Ballistic Missile a surprise appearance from former Congressman Sanctions Act of 2016) and H.R. 4815 (Iran Allen West (R–FL). congressional Ballistic Missile Sanctions Act of 2016), which Lieutenant Colonel West, who served in Iraq meetings would impose additional sanctions on Iran due in 2003 and Afghanistan in 2005, reminisced in the to its ballistic missile tests in clear violation of about his 2011 visit to Israel, including a visit United Nations Security Council Resolution to the Knesset in Jerusalem and meeting with sumptuous 2231, passed in 2015; S. 2726 (Iran Terrorism Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netan- Kennedy and Human Rights Sanctions Act of 2016), yahu warned against withdrawing all American which would impose additional sanctions military forces from Iraq because of the vacuum Room of the on Iran for its continued support of Islamic that would be filled by jihadists who posed Russell terrorism and human rights violations; and a global threat. Lieutenant Colonel West said H.R. 4992 (No Dollars for Iran Act), which that the U.S. military is capable of handling Senate would prevent the Treasury Department from any mission asked of it, provided that it is given Office allowing U.S. dollar transactions involving Iran the requisite resources and direction. President Building, outside the U.S. financial system; Obama, governed by ideology rather than facts 2) Stop U.S. financial aid to the Palestinian on the ground, had decided to build up Iran as ZOA activists Authority (PA) if, within six months, the PA a regional power and hegemon via the Iran were joined does not fulfill its Oslo commitments, especially nuclear deal. (Ben Rhodes, one of Obama’s for- with regard to ceasing the promotion of hatred eign policy advisers, has now admitted that the and and violence against Jews; demand that the deal was based on lies.) Iran would purchase addressed State Department enforce existing U.S. law and new tanks, fighter aircraft, and S-300 anti- by numerous reduce funding to the PA in proportion to the aircraft missiles with $150 billion that this extent of its outlays on terrorism and support catastrophic nuclear deal provided Iran, giving Democratic for terrorists and their families; cut all funding Iran’s Quds Force and Hezbollah the cover to and to the UN Framework Convention on Climate operate against Israel. “We need ZOA to put Change (UNFCCC) for admitting “Palestine” pressure on members of Congress to fight this Republican as a member; and Iran deal… Our children and grandchildren will senators and 3) Urge President Barack Obama to veto hos- judge us on what we are doing now,” Lieutenant tile anti-Israel UN Security Council resolutions Colonel West stated. representa- and enact legislation to suspend funding for the Introducing the legislators, ZOA National tives.

5 CAPITOL HILL PRO-ISRAEL MISSION

Said Klein: President Morton A. Klein observed that “the Middle East Quartet would soon be issuing “If the a report that is anticipated to be harshly criti- refugees were cal of Jewish residence in Judea/Samaria…” He said that the ZOA is fighting to make it clear Buddhists or that Jewish residence in the territories is entirely Hindus, we legal; that, in any case, no new Jewish communi- ties have been established since 1993; that con- wouldn’t struction has occurred entirely within their exist- have any ing boundaries, which encompasses a mere two percent of Judea/Samaria; and that Israel neither concerns. But occupies Palestinian Arabs (98 percent of whom with radical now live under Palestinian Arab rule) nor the land, which is unallocated under international Islam rife in law, does not belong to another legal sovereign, the Arab and to which Jews have a well-established right under international law. world, we do Klein also warned against admitting Syrian have refugees to the U.S., noting that senior Obama administration officials have admitted that the Cong. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) concerns for government lacks the means to vet refugees for our safety purposes of security. Said Klein: “If the refugees were Buddhists or Hindus, we wouldn’t have and security any concerns. But with radical Islam rife in the here in the Arab world, we do have concerns for our safety U.S. extending recognition to the State of Israel and security here in the U.S., given that ISIS within a quarter hour of its establishment. He U.S., given [is] making phony passports to infiltrate refu- spoke of the impact that Boycott, Divestment that ISIS [is] gee populations and given the attacks upon Jews and Sanctions (BDS) campaigns have on the by large Muslim communities in Europe. Our rise of anti-Semitism in America and, to a much making Torah does not require us to bring people who more pronounced degree, in Europe. “We must phony are hostile to Jews and America; quite the op- speak out and oppose BDS, as there is simply no posite.” He also noted that, against expectations, justification for it… We must make it clear that passports to Israel ranks highest among the nations in the we will not have trade with those countries that infiltrate World Happiness Report. He noted G-d’s prom- support BDS against Israel. We must say to our ise that Israel will be an eternal people and that friends and allies, ‘Don’t try to delegitimize Isra- refugee “G-d, unlike politicians—with all due respect to el.’” Speaking of the U.S. political scene, Cardin populations those in this room—keeps His promises.” said that support for Israel must remain biparti- Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Mem- san and that “we must never let Israel become a and given the ber of the Senate Foreign Relations Commit- political wedge issue. I thank Mort and ZOA for attacks upon tee, spoke of his twentieth visit to Israel a few being here and making a difference.” weeks earlier and his talks with Prime Minister Senator Tom Cotton (R-AK) described the Jews by large Netanyahu, and with leaders in Qatar and Saudi Iran deal as a “notorious compromise” that it Muslim Arabia. Senator Cardin remarked on changes in is incumbent on all of us to fight. He thanked the region that have resulted in some unlikely Mort Klein and ZOA, saying he was “grateful” communities cooperation between Israel and several Sunni for their sustained work opposing this danger- in Europe.” Arab states. He spoke of the special relation- ous deal. He reflected on Israel’s history, how ship between Israel and the U.S., which has en- the major challenges it faces have changed from dured since President Harry Truman despite the conventional military wars to non-conventional disapproval of the State Department, with the terror wars, and that Israel is now facing a new,

6 CAPITOL HILL PRO-ISRAEL MISSION

hate. Noticing the official PA map of the region Reflecting on hanging in the background, Royce said that he fur- ther asked Abbas, “Where’s Israel on your map?” In the common his view, the U.S., by indulging the PA, has sacri- Judeo- ficed leverage to pressure the PA to mend its ways, when we should be insisting that the PA change its Christian school textbooks and educate its youth for plural- basis of both ism and tolerance instead of war and hate. Addressing the Iranian threat to Israel, Royce the U.S. and said that Iran is producing GPS-capable rockets Israel, for Hezbollah. He recounted an earlier visit to Israel in which he had seen 600 trauma victims Senator in Israeli hospital wards as a result of missile as- Cotton said saults on the country with Iranian-made mis- siles. He noted that the U.S. is also threatened that “as long by Iranian missile development. He was criti- as the New cal of the way the Obama administration has squandered American prestige and reliability in Israel and the Middle East, noting that “when you enforce Old Israel Cong. Ed Royce (R-CA) your red lines, you don’t have to keep talking about them.” stand Representative Eliot Engel (D-NY), Ranking together, Member of the House Foreign Affairs Commit- tee, spoke next and expressed his appreciation no one will third era of warfare in the form of BDS, which for all that Mort and the ZOA do in support defeat our he had introduced legislation to fight. Reflecting of Israel and the U.S./Israel relationship. Noting on the common Judeo-Christian basis of both that he was one of only 25 Democrats in the two nations.” the U.S. and Israel, Senator Cotton said that “as House to vote against the Iran nuclear deal, En- long as the New Israel and Old Israel stand to- gel said that he was now working to ensure that gether, no one will defeat our two nations.” Israel receives all the necessary arms it requires Cong. Ed Royce (R-CA), chairman of the House for future defense under the new Memorandum Foreign Affairs Committee, noted that 20,000 Is- of Understanding now being negotiated, while raelis have lost their lives in war since 1948, and noting that the U.S. obtained enormous advan- that had there been a state of Israel before 1948, tages from its defense and security relationship hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of Jews with Israel. would have been saved. He also spoke of the recent Senator John Boozman (R-AR) said his support Iran nuclear agreement, observing that the ayatol- for Israel was unwavering. “Look at my voting re- lahs deny the Holocaust while seeking to create cord—I’m 100 percent on Israel. You can count a new one. Representative Royce also recounted on me in the future.” He also praised ZOA’s cam- the story of his visit to Ramallah and his question- paign to educate Congress and the U.S. public, ing of PA leader Mahmoud Abbas on his previ- saying that the ZOA should never underestimate ous acts of Holocaust denial, asking if Abbas still the importance of its achievements. maintains the position that the Holocaust never Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA)—whom occurred. Abbas, he said, replied evasively, saying: Mort Klein introduced by saying how much he “Regardless of what happened then, doesn’t excuse had enjoyed attending Sherman’s wedding in what’s happening now.” Malibu—has served for more than 20 years on Royce observed that the campaign of hatred the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Sherman against Israel within the PA is part of a program said of the Iran nuclear deal that “we must vote preparing Palestinians from school-age onward to it down” and that it is not, properly speaking,

7 CAPITOL HILL PRO-ISRAEL MISSION

even an agreement, as it was never signed but weapons and that he could not agree with those merely a “handshake.” He said he looks forward who argued that this agreement would serve to to the day that a more assertive America would stop Iran from reaching the nuclear threshold. tell Iran, “No, you cannot have unlimited cen- He also spoke with concern about the future of trifuges. No, you can’t have nuclear processing.” Democratic support for Israel, urging ZOA and As for lifting nuclear restrictions on Iran after other Jewish groups to take note of America’s a decade, Sherman asked: “What about restric- changing demographics and to make outreach tions on Iran’s nuclear program? Shouldn’t they to Latinos and African-Americans a major part be permanent?” He also noted North Korea’s of their efforts going forward, in order to ensure continued, gradual build-up of nuclear missiles that American support for Israel remains bipar- that can be sold to anyone it chooses, asking tisan and broad-based. rhetorically, with an indirect allusion to Iran’s Representative Steve King (R-IA) said that he anticipated financial windfall from the lifting of “had never been for the two-state solution” be- international sanctions, “Do you know someone cause the “Palestinians don’t want peace with who has a spare hundreds of millions of dollars?” Israel; they want to annihilate Israel.” On the As for BDS, Sherman said: “We can’t maintain Iran nuclear deal, he described Prime Minister normal, true relations with countries that boy- Netanyahu’s address to Congress last year on the cott and discriminate against Israel.” Noting the subject to be “the most compelling speech he has discriminatory aspect of BDS, Sherman noted heard in that chamber.” King detailed the defects that he supported “the State Department defini- of the then-imminent agreement, saying that tion of anti-Semitism because my wife wrote it.” the deal is “unconstitutional” and that “we won’t Rep. He also called for the U.S. embassy in Israel to change it until we get a new president willing Sherman be moved to Jerusalem. to tear it up.” King recommended using cyber- Representative Brendan Boyle (D-PA) spoke warfare against ISIS and educational warfare to said of the out strongly against BDS, which seeks to dele- block the transmission of hateful jihadist ideolo- Iran nuclear gitimize Israel for the purpose of working for its gies to the next generation, expanding human international ostracism and eventual destruc- intelligence in the Middle East, and extending deal that tion. He observed that the constant comparisons greater assistance to the Kurds fighting ISIS. “we must by BDS advocates of Israel with apartheid-era Representative Lee Zeldin (R-NY) joked that South Africa is “wrong, repugnant, and anti-Se- he is the “lowest ranking Jewish Republican in vote it down” mitic. Let’s call things as they are.” He also said Congress—and also the highest ranking Jewish and that it is that “the country in the Middle East that pro- Republican in Congress.” He spoke of President vides the most academic freedom is the precise Obama acting as though he does not understand not, properly one that BDS targets.” He commented that the that our enemy does not respect weakness. He speaking, BDS campaign is stronger today than it was last noted that Secretary Kerry admitted that he had year, and significantly stronger still in Europe. not even read the side agreement between the even an Boyle said that he has co-sponsored a resolution International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) agreement, opposing BDS and ensuring that the nation’s and Iran. He noted that growing up he had once multi-billion-dollar state retirement programs assumed that perhaps he was of the first genera- as it was be barred from investing in any company that tion to live in a world without anti-Semitism, never signed engages in BDS. While proud of America’s his- but that recent events have shown the period of toric role in the creation of the United Nations, his youth to have been a short-lived golden age. but merely Boyle said he is increasingly disturbed by the Representative John Fleming (R-LA) described a “hand- way the UN has been used and abused as a fo- himself as a “strong, ardent friend of Israel” who rum for bashing Israel. has visited it extensively, including Judea/Sa- shake.” Representative Juan Vargas (D-CA) com- maria. He said he opposes “the Iran deal for one mented that he was the first Democratic mem- reason: I don’t trust this administration.” With ber of Congress to oppose the Iran nuclear deal. the revelations of public lying about the deal He noted that Iran had a clear path to nuclear during negotiations, he said that his skepticism

8 CAPITOL HILL PRO-ISRAEL MISSION

has been shown to be “well-founded.” Fleming Rep. Brandon Boyle observed supports using a U.S. veto at the UN Security Council with regard to any anti-Israel resolu- that the constant comparisons tions that might be proposed. Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) also by BDS advocates of Israel with spoke about the dangers of the Iran deal and the Obama administration’s foreign policy, which he apartheid-era South Africa is said pressures U.S. allies while making conces- sions to U.S. enemies. Of Iran’s leadership, he “wrong, repugnant, and anti-Semitic. said: “They are evil—I don’t care if you want to call them ‘moderates’—they want to destroy Is- Let’s call things as they are.” rael and murder our people. A lot of us here on Capitol Hill are not confused about this, and we will not stop fighting the Iran deal.” Representative Ron DeSantis (R-FL), who Representative Louie Gohmert (R-TX) spoke is also a candidate for the Senate, sympathized of the need to have Republican presidential with Israel’s security situation. He remarked that presumptive candidate Donald Trump outline if someone in the Bahamas started firing mis- in detail his policy toward Israel and the Pales- siles into Fort Lauderdale, “we’d tolerate that for tinians, saying, “His book, The Art of the Deal, about 10 seconds… We’d send in the Marines. makes clear that before you can have my sup- Yet whenever this actually happens to Israel, the port, you have to tell me what I need to know...” UN blames Israel.” He described the Iran nucle- Gohmert also noted that he was the only member Rep. Ron ar deal as a “catastrophe” and the BDS move- of Congress of either party to have met recently ment as “a total fraud” for targeting with boycott with the Egyptian intelligence head and said that DeSantis and ostracism “the Middle East’s only democra- these discussions and others had clarified for him remarked cy.” He added: “This is a movement rooted in the many ways in which the Iran deal was bad for that if blatant anti-Semitism. We need to serve notice all of America’s Middle East allies. to anyone who wins the BDS movement that if Senator Ron Johnson (R–WI) also attended someone in you start boycotting Israel, we’ll start boycotting the luncheon, but had to leave before he had an the Bahamas you.” He called for the Muslim Brotherhood to opportunity to address the ZOA activists. started firing be listed as a foreign terrorist organization and Morton Klein thanked the entire ZOA staff for the next administration to move the U.S. for their hard work in making the ZOA’s Advo- missiles into embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, both of which cacy Mission to Washington, D.C. such a suc- Fort Lauder- would signal that the U.S. is back and ready to cess. Mort offered special thanks to Josh London dale, “we’d stand by Israel and all its other allies that share and Dan Pollak, co-directors of ZOA’s Govern- its values through thick and thin. ment Relations Department, for emceeing the tolerate that Representative Robert Aderholt (R-AL) issued luncheon and leading the discussion of issues, for about a call for President Obama to commit to veto- and for all their work in helping to bring such 10 seconds… ing any UN Security Council resolution that is an impressive array of Congress members to the hostile to Israel. He criticized the Iran nuclear luncheon. Thanks were also expressed to Execu- We’d send in deal, with particular emphasis on the question tive Director David Drimer and Development the Marines. of whether the Obama administration was be- Director Howard Katzoff for their hard work Yet whenever ing forthright regarding its statements that it and for making the mission so successful. Ku- was not permitting Iran access to U.S. currency. dos were also bestowed on Greater Philadelphia this actually Speaking of the shared values and convictions Executive Director Steve Feldman and Florida happens to that lead him to support Israel, Aderholt noted: Executive Director Sharona Whisler for bring- Israel, the “We aren’t covered with Jews in Alabama, but we ing the largest contingents to the mission. Many love the Jewish people. G-d bless you, Israel, and would-be attendees were turned away due to UN blames the United States of America.” lack of space. Israel.”

9 Capitol Hill Mission Pictorial

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) with ZOA National President Morton A. Klein and wife Rita Klein

Former Rep. LTC Allen West (R-FL) with ZOA mission participants

Eytan Sosnovich, Director of Regional Affairs and Executive Director of ZOA’s New York chapter, and Zach Stern, ZOA Campus Director and New York Campus Coordinator

ZOA National President Morton A. Klein with Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) Another Jewish student activist for Israel

A young activist joins the ZOA mission Lee Bender, President of Greater Philadelphia Rep. Juan Vargas (D-CA) to speak out for Israel chapter with son, Noah Bender

10 Capitol Hill Mission Pictorial

Rep. Steve King (R-IA) A ZOA supporter joins the mission Rep. John Fleming (R-LA) to stand with Israel

Mission participants gather to hear from representatives at an opening luncheon ZOA’s Director of Development Howard Katzoff with wife Patti Klein

ZOA activist listening intently to A ZOA supporter joins the mission to Former Rep. Colonel Allen West (R-FL) speeches stand with Israel addresses mission participants

11 Capitol Hill Mission Pictorial

Rep. John Fleming (R-LA) speaks to Mid-West Campus Coordinator Pandit Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of ZOA’s audience Mami with ZOA’s Chief Compliance House Foreign Affairs "vwViÀ iLÀ> i˜>“ˆ˜

ZOA National President Morton A. Klein with Rep. Brandon Boyle (D-PA) Andrea Gottleib, ZOA Greater Philadelphia chapter supporter

Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) with ZOA National A ZOA supporter joins the Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) President Morton A. Klein; Daniel Pollak, ZOA mission to stand with Israel Co-Director of Government Relations at right

12 Capitol Hill Mission Pictorial

ZOA National President Morton A. Klein; Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), ZOA National Board member Mark Levenson, Esq. Ranking Member of House Foreign Affairs; Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) Chairman of House Foreign Affairs

The cover of our ZOA Mission to Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) Chairman of House Foreign Washington 2016 folders with ZOA National Presi- Affairs, shaking hands with Rep. Diaz Balart (R-FL); dent Morton A. Klein ZOA National President Morton A. Klein at center. At back, ZOA Co-Director of Government Relations Daniel Pollak shaking hands with Rep. DeSantis (R-FL)

Josh London, Co-Director Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) addressing the crowd Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) of Government Relations

13 Capitol Hill Mission Pictorial

Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) ZOA Florida Director Sharona Whisler with a government intern, welcoming guests to the mission

Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) addresses the ZOA mission par- National Executive Director David Drimer and ZOA’s ticipants New York delegation with Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) (center)

Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) with ZOA’s Chief Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK) with œ“«ˆ>˜Vi"vwViÀ iLÀ> i˜>“ˆ˜] õ° ZOA National President Morton A. Klein

14 ZOA People

2TQƂNG Cliff Rieders, Esq.

Cliff Rieders sometimes seems surprised by the variety of experiences his rich and active life has brought him. He will re- count anecdotes about the extraordinary people he has encountered or worked with over the decades and then declare, “It has indeed been a marvelous, eclectic, iconoclastic life and career that I have led.” Rieders practices law and resides in Williamsport, PA, where he is a partner in the law firm of Rieders, Travis, Humphrey, Waters & Dohrmann. He is past president of the Pennsylva- nia Trial Lawyers Associa- tion, a founding member of the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority, the au- thor of five textbooks on various legal topics, and Supreme Court Standard time sabbatical from the law a frequent writer of opinion Jury Instruction Commit- to be Metrolab’s financial pieces on issues surround- tee. He also has worked controller. He also holds ing Israel and the Middle long stints in engineering a mariner’s license and has East, which he contributes and finance, the latter when worked at the U.S. Com- mainly to central Pennsyl- his mother, who was the merce Department’s ships vania newspapers. He has first professional controller subsidy program, where he served on numerous com- of Revlon, took over her was involved in the debate mittees, including teaching late brother’s engineering over the virtues of single- for the Pennsylvania Bar company, Metrolab. Rie- or double-hulled vessels. Institute and Pennsylvania ders took a six-year part- “I recommended they be

15 ZOA PEOPLE

Rieders’s double-hulled, but they lists of survivors, tears run- in 1972. When Rothblatt weren’t, and then we got ning down her cheeks, in dropped the case, Rieders parents were the Exxon Valdez,” Rieders hopes of finding surviving found himself at once con- recalls ruefully. family members, almost all fronted by the Washington strong Zionists. Rieders is involved with of whom had been mur- Post’s Carl Bernstein, one “[My father’s numerous Jewish organiza- dered by the Nazis. One of of the two famed journalists tions, but particularly and his grandmother’s brothers who broke the Watergate life] was, in primarily with the ZOA, survived and made a new story. Bernstein wanted to where he serves as a mem- life for himself in Israel, know the reason for the short, a life of ber of the ZOA’s National after living in a tent city defense being dropped— tremendous Board and also on the in Hadera. Rieders’s fam- something about which Advisory Board of ZOA’s ily raised money for their Rieders was unable to en- Zionism, Center for Law and Justice. relatives in Israel to join lighten him. Rieders sees in the ZOA them in America, but they With Rieders wishing to Yiddishkeit, an organization that has declined. Having survived work for a federal judge, and Jewish been and remains “quint- the Nazi genocide and har- Rothblatt recommended essentially correct” in its rowing military service in him to Malcolm Muir, who education; approach to the issues and the Soviet Red Army, they became the fourth most challenges Israel must face. wanted to remain in the senior federal judge at the a very active, He sees himself as a reser- Jewish homeland. time of his death in 2011, energetic voir of legal support for the Rieders’s parents were at the age of 94. Muir, recalls ZOA: “It’s a national orga- strong Zionists and, unusu- Rieders, was “the anvil of Jewish world”… nization, in the crosshairs of ally, Republicans. In fact, excellence”—an unrelent- a lot of bad people because his father organized the ingly demanding, perfec- Zion has loomed it’s high-profile, so there Reagan campaign head- tionist boss. So difficult just as large in are always issues that quarters in Great Neck was working for Muir that come up, and the question and “was nearly run out Rieders at one point hand- Rieders’s life, often is how to address of town, but he didn’t care,” ed him a letter of resigna- these problems.” Rieders laughingly recalls. tion, which Muir promptly and, having Rieders was born in “It was, in short, a life of tossed into the fireplace worked with New York City to a Jewish tremendous Zionism, Yid- with the words, “Young family that is five genera- dishkeit, and Jewish educa- man, you have to be tough- a number of tions American on his fa- tion; a very active, energetic er in this profession.” But ther’s side. His Brooklyn- Jewish world.” the experience was invalu- major American born mother, whose fam- Rieders attended New able. “It was phenomenal Jewish ily came from Poland, was York University, graduat- training,” Rieders says. raised on a dairy farm. ing cum laude and Phi Beta He then worked for organizations, When Rieders was a child, Kappa, before obtaining his Henry G. Hager, a moder- his family moved to Great Juris Doctor degree from ate Republican who served Rieders holds Neck, NY, where his parents Georgetown University Law as president pro tempore of a special were among the founders of Center, which he remem- the Pennsylvania State Sen- the Great Neck Synagogue bers as a “remarkable, won- ate in the 1970s and ’80s. affection for and where he attended derful experience.” Follow- “He was extraordinary to Jewish schools. He grew ing law school, he worked work with,” Rieders remi- and up hearing stories of his first for the extraordinary nisces. “He had an amazing commitment mother’s family in Europe, lawyer Henry Rothblatt, way of drafting legislation. who were trapped in the who initially defended No one really does it like to the ZOA. Shoah; of his grandmother the plumbers who broke that anymore. When writ- from Krakow combing the into the Watergate Hotel ing anti-BDS legislation,

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as I have done, I thank work that I have been en- ton and who, like Rieders, “What I value Hager for the education gaged in—law, engineering, holds a mariner’s license. I received in drafting laws.” finance—have asked my Of his wife, Rieders says, in ZOA Rieders has written dozens opinion, but, in reality, not with evident pride: “Hav- of pieces of legislation for everyone genuinely wants ing a spouse whose Jewish a is that ZOA various legislators. to hear something that dif- ncestry goes back to the was not But Zion has loomed just fers from their own views. time of the American as large in Rieders’s life, Mort is different. You can Revolution has stimulated and is not and, having worked with give Mort an opinion and my interest in the largely a number of major Ameri- he will listen honestly. He unknown role of American apologetic can Jewish organizations, has a scientific approach to Jewry at the time of Ameri- for Israel Rieders holds a special the truth—he wants more ca’s inception. It is also nice affection for and commit- evidence and will look at to have Kim as my biggest or Judaism. ment to the ZOA. “I have contrary evidence, to ensure fan and best friend.” known Mort Klein since he understands something Rieders’s life is not slow- ZOA is the early 1980s, and even properly.” ing down. His family quintessentially before he became president Rieders continues to sup- foundation has produced I had done some legal work port the ZOA, deeply con- a documentary, “Golden correct for ZOA. In any event, one cerned now at the influx of Treasures,” about the Ju- thing led to another and anti-Israel voices into the daica collection held by the on the issues I became progressively more Democratic Party. “It is im- Vatican in Rome. “We were that are vital involved,” said Rieders. portant that Israel not face the first ones ever to actual- “What I value in ZOA is unnecessary, illicit pressure ly receive a written response to the survival that ZOA was not and is from U.S. politicians, yet on the subject from the not apologetic for Israel you can see what has hap- Vatican, on the whereabouts of Israel, or Judaism. ZOA is quintes- pened in Israel’s recent of these treasures,” he says. without sentially correct on the wars. I remember in the In his scant spare time, issues that are vital to the 1990s personally speaking Rieders reads voraciously apology”. survival of Israel, without to President Bill Clinton, (currently, Ron Chernow’s apology. Mort was looking who assured me to my face Washington: A Life), not for expertise so he could that ‘We’re going to stop least about quantum phys- make the ZOA a better, those missiles raining down ics, which he has followed [more] successful organiza- on Israel from Hezbollah.’ almost since the inception tion. That’s why I’m com- Well, it hasn’t happened, of the discipline, having fortable with ZOA, and it and now you hear Hillary taken the first course in the has indeed been very Clinton using the same ter- subject when it was offered successful in standing up minology recently.” at New York University. for Israel’s interests in a way Rieders and his wife, “I was just thinking the oth- other organizations won’t Kim, have three children— er day about the enjoyably do. Mort is an exceptional their eldest daughter who varied life I have had,” says person. I see my own role is a molecular biologist and Rieders, with the satisfac- within ZOA to be a sort lawyer in the law firm, a tion that comes from a life of legal elder statesman, second daughter living in well-lived. ready to help anyone in Israel who has served in the ZOA who has a legal or Israel Defense Forces and is quasi-legal question. Which currently enrolled in a dual- brings me back to Mort. language law school, and Many people I have known a son who is a Jewish studies over the years in different major at SUNY Bingham-

17 Center for Law and Justice

Demonstrators shouted at the small number of Jewish students who bravely attended the rally, calling them “racists,” “white supremacists,” “fascists,” “Nazis,” and “supporters of genocide.” They yelled, “Zionists out of CUNY!” “Jews out of CUNY!” and “Jews are racist sons of bitches!”

ZOA Exposes allegations of campus anti-Semitism at CUNY. Anti-Semitism at As of this writing, the investigation is ongoing. CUNY, Triggering HUNTER COLLEGE The letter described a horrifying pattern of Independent conduct by SJP on several CUNY campuses, as Investigation reported to the ZOA by students and other wit- nesses on campus. At Hunter College, for ex- In February 2016, the Zionist Organization ample, SJP and its allies held a rally last Novem- of America (ZOA) sent a 14-page letter to ber calling for free college tuition and the Chancellor James Milliken and the Board of cancellation of student debt. SJP turned the Trustees of the City University of New York rally into a hateful and divisive demonstration, (CUNY) describing in detail the anti-Semitic advertising it on Facebook by criticizing “the Zi- harassment and intimidation that Jewish onist [CUNY] administration” for, among other and pro-Israel students were facing on at things, hosting Birthright programs and study- least four CUNY campuses—Hunter College, abroad programs in “occupied Palestine” [i.e., SUSAN TUCKMAN Brooklyn College, the College of Staten Is- Israel], and for “reproduc[ing] settler-colonial Director, Center for land, and John Jay College—largely caused by ideology through Zionist content of education.” Law and Justice the anti-Israel group that calls itself Students SJP’s hateful and divisive conduct continued for Justice in Palestine (SJP). The ZOA urged at the rally, with demonstrators screaming and the Chancellor and the board to take immediate chanting, “Long live the Intifada!” and “There is steps to remedy the hostile, anti-Semitic campus only one solution: Intifada revolution!” Calling environment and prevent it from recurring, in for an Intifada is widely understood as calling accordance with their legal obligations under for the murder of Jews, causing Jewish students Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. (Title VI re- at Hunter College to feel threatened and afraid quires that federally-funded schools ensure that for their safety. their programs and activities are free from racial The demonstrators shouted at the small num- and ethnic discrimination.) ber of Jewish students who bravely attended the Within days, the ZOA’s letter attracted enor- rally, calling them “racists,” “white supremacists,” mous media attention and sparked the Chancel- “fascists,” “Nazis,” and “supporters of genocide.” lor to order an independent investigation of the They yelled, “Zionist out of CUNY!” “Jews out

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In urging CUNY leadership to take strong and immediate action to rem- edy the anti- Semitic hostility on several cam- puses, the ZOA stated: “Such bigotry would never be SJP’s anti-Semitic Facebook post about the CUNY rally tolerated by CUNY of CUNY!” and “Jews are racist sons of bitches!” example, a group of students disrupted a fac- if it were being One Jewish student, an American citizen and ulty council meeting, chanting “Zionists out of directed against lifelong New Yorker, was called a “settler” and CUNY,” or a similar statement, and engaged in screamed at to “get the f--k out of my country, name-calling against the faculty council chair- another ethnic, our f--king nation.” As another Jewish student man, who was wearing a yarmulke (with at least racial, or other was leaving the rally, he heard someone yell, “We some reference to him being a “Zionist”). should drag the Zionists down the street!” As re- In the fall of 2015, SJP at Brooklyn College targeted group. ported to the ZOA and described in the letter, sponsored a number of anti-Israel events, con- CUNY should this student “was shaken by the realization that tinuing the group’s pattern of staging events on a he was hated and could be physically attacked Jewish holiday in order to minimize the number not be because of who he is and what he believes.” of Jewish students who could be present to coun- tolerating ter the SJP’s hateful lies. In addition, a Jewish stu- BROOKLYN COLLEGE dent and her parents were harassed, threatened, it when the and intimidated by SJP members as they tried to bigotry is The ZOA’s letter to CUNY leadership also de- clean away the hateful messages SJP had chalked scribed anti-Semitic harassment and intimida- on the public sidewalks adjacent to the college, in directed tion at Brooklyn College. Last February, for violation of New York City ordinances. against Jews.”

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COLLEGE OF STATEN ISLAND In its letter to CUNY officials, the ZOA also described the anti-Semitic hostility at the Col- lege of Staten Island (CSI). For example, at an anti-Israel demonstration last November, an SJP supporter approached a Jewish CSI student who was holding a sign that said, “Keep calm and hug a Jew,” and said to the student, “I don’t hug murderers.” A Muslim student reportedly told a Jewish student leader that “I can’t be seen with you… It’s not good for me to be seen with Jews.” Another Muslim student leader, who worked constructively with Jewish students, reportedly confessed to a Jewish leader that SJP told him that he was not a “good Muslim” if he associ- ated with Jews and Hillel. Swastikas defacing the college’s desks and walls never triggered a single statement from the administration condemning New York Post’s page 2 article about ZOA’s letter to CUNY the vandalism or explaining why it was wrong. JOHN JAY COLLEGE A Muslim In its letter, the ZOA pointed out to CUNY The ZOA letter also described serious prob- leaders that SJP has had a long history of harass- lems at John Jay College, where SJP deliberately student ment and discrimination against Jewish students tried to marginalize Jewish students and student reportedly at Brooklyn College. In 2013, an SJP leader groups, discouraging others from working with evicted four Jewish students (two were obvi- them by using threats and intimidation. For ex- told a Jewish ously Jewish, wearing yarmulkes, and one was ample, the Muslim Students Association (MSA) student a well-known pro-Israel activist on campus) co-sponsored an event with Hillel, at which a from an anti-Israel event and lied about the evic- Muslim police officer and a Jewish police officer leader that tion, falsely claiming that the four Jewish stu- were scheduled to speak. For a school of criminal “I can’t be dents were interrupting the event, when they were doing nothing of the sort. A CUNY inves- seen with tigation confirmed that the eviction was without you… It’s not any justification, and the president of Brooklyn College publicly acknowledged that the stu- good for me dents were likely removed simply because they to be seen disagreed with SJP’s views. ZOA filed a Title VI action with the U.S. Dept. of Education’s Office with Jews.” for Civil Rights (OCR), based on this and other incidents, which the ZOA successfully resolved via an OCR-supervised mediation with the col- lege. Since then, SJP has repeatedly violated col- lege policies relating to organizing student club events—policies put in place specifically to avoid a repetition of the problems that occurred in connection with SJP’s anti-Israel event in 2013. John Jay College of Criminal Justice

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justice, this program was particularly relevant. But at the last minute, the MSA withdrew its ZOA CALLS ON CUNY sponsorship because it was so intimidated by LEADERS TO RESPOND SJP, which warned and reportedly threatened the As the result of the SJP’s hateful, anti-Semitic, MSA not to work with Hillel. Threats were even and divisive conduct on several CUNY campus- coming from overseas, including on Facebook es, the ZOA called on the Chancellor and Board Dozens of and Twitter. The event went forward successfully of Trustees to publicly condemn the SJP, fully in- demon- without the MSA, but the incident demonstrates vestigate this group for violation of CUNY rules how SJP’s conduct deliberately divides the com- and policies, and, if violations were found, re- strators munity, marginalizes some of its members, and voke the group’s registered status. The ZOA stat- screamed violates CUNY’s values of civility and respect for ed in the letter to CUNY officials: “This group differences. does not deserve a place on any CUNY campus and chanted The hostile, anti-Semitic environment has had until it can demonstrate that it will respect and “Long live the a detrimental impact on Jewish students at John abide by the rules and standards that apply to Jay. Some are reportedly afraid to openly identify everyone else.” Intifada!” as Jewish; instead of wearing a yarmulke to cover The ZOA also urged the Chancellor and Board and yelled their heads, some Jewish male students wear of Trustees to require SJP to complete an edu- a baseball cap. Some Jewish students are afraid cational program on anti-Semitism—using the such to walk down Club Row, where the Office of State Department definition of anti-Semitism, invectives as Student Life is located. which recognizes anti-Israelism and anti-Zion- Other Jewish students report being afraid to ism as forms of anti-Semitism. In addition, the “Zionists go come to campus at all. The ZOA letter described ZOA urged an investigation of all sources of home!” and how some students deliberately take classes in SJP’s funding, to ensure that this group is not the morning and evening only and will not take receiving funds or other material support from “Jews out of afternoon classes that they would otherwise be groups or individuals with ties to terrorism. Fi- CUNY!” interested in, to avoid the SJP’s hateful events, nally, ZOA called on CUNY leadership to pub- which are typically held in the middle of the day licly state that there would be zero tolerance for The double at Community Hour. (John Jay’s website de- anti-Semitism at CUNY, and to educate the standard scribes Community Hour as a time when “cam- community about the many forms that anti- pus spaces—especially the Atrium and the Jay Semitism takes today, referring specifically to the must stop. Walk—are buzzing with energy and vibrancy.”) State Department’s definition of anti-Semitism. University For Jewish students, this time and these spaces In urging CUNY leadership to take strong and are often filled with tension, anxiety, and dread. immediate action to remedy the anti-Semitic hos- leaders must When the SJP holds events at John Jay, it takes tility on several campuses, the ZOA stated: “Such respond over the Atrium, which is right off the main en- bigotry would never be tolerated by CUNY if it trance to the school and connects the old and were being directed against another ethnic, racial or to bigotry new buildings of the campus. Students thus can- other targeted group. CUNY should not be tolerat- against not avoid hearing and seeing SJP’s hateful rallies ing it when the bigotry is directed against Jews.” and demonstrations; they are forced to be an in- The ZOA’s letter almost immediately caught the Jewish voluntary audience to the group’s anti-Semitism attention of the media, including The New York students and its ugly lies about Israel. Daily News, The New York Post, and The Jerusalem According to reports the ZOA received, John Post. Three days after the letter was sent, The Daily with the Jay administrators largely responded with indif- News published an editorial supporting ZOA’s same vigor ference to the challenges facing Jewish students. demands, noting that “[CUNY Chancellor] One administrator reportedly commented, Milliken is obligated to take action—including they show “What are these white kids complaining about?” expulsion—when anyone obstructs CUNY pro- when other As the result of the hostile environment, at least ceedings, squelches the speech of others, verbally three Jewish students reportedly left John Jay harasses individual students or issues targeted groups are College and transferred to other schools. threats. Vandalism, such as painting swastikas, is targeted.

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According from CUNY campuses, “sending a clear and un- equivocal message that hatred and bias have no to reports home at CUNY.” Last June, State Senator Jack Martins, from Long Island, introduced a bill to the ZOA defund state and city campus organizations that received, engage in hate speech, including anti-Israel boy- cotts. Senator Martins told The Daily News that John Jay he introduced the bill out of frustration with the lagging independent investigation, stating, “We administra- have waited months for the administration to complete its investigation and heard nothing. tors largely In the absence of responsible action, we have no responded choice but to step in and prevent taxpayer dol- lars being used to promote hate and, specifically, with anti-Semitism.” indifference ZOA Demands to the University Leaders challenges CUNY Chancellor James B. Milliken Remedy faced by Anti-Semitism On Jewish Other Campuses students. grounds for arrest… [T]here’s strong evidence that 6JG<1#KUEQPVKPWKPIVQƂIJVHQTCUCHGCPF One official a blossoming nightmare is making CUNY enemy welcoming learning environment for Jew- territory for some Jewish students. Over and over, ish and pro-Israel students at other schools reportedly administrators must aggressively condemn SJP’s across the country. rhetoric as the hate speech that it is.” commented, A week after the ZOA sent its letter, the Chan- SAN FRANCISCO STATE cellor and the chairperson of CUNY’s Board of UNIVERSITY “What are Trustees responded, informing the ZOA that these white they had retained independent outside counsel to Last May, the ZOA urged San Francisco State investigate the allegations of anti-Semitism on University President Leslie Wong to take action kids CUNY campuses. The investigators are Barbara after protesters—including members of the anti- Jones, a retired federal district court judge in Israel campus group General Union of Palestin- complaining Manhattan, and Paul Shechtman, who served as ian Students (GUPS)—disrupted the speech of director of criminal justice under New York State an invited guest to the campus, Jerusalem Mayor about?” Governor George Pataki and had been an assis- Nir Barkat. According to those present, Mayor tant federal prosecutor. At the time of their en- Barkat spoke for no more than five minutes gagement, both were partners at the firm of before a group of approximately 25 screaming Zuckerman Spaeder; last spring, they both moved anti-Israel protesters stormed the room, shout- to Bracewell, in the firm’s Manhattan office. ing and drowning out the mayor’s voice for the The problems at CUNY also have prompted next 45 minutes with chants of “Free, free Pales- actions by the state legislature. In March, 35 tine!” and “If we don’t get no justice, you don’t members of the New York State Assembly— get no peace.” Although university police were Republicans and Democrats—called on the present, they did not intervene and, instead, Chancellor to immediately suspend the SJP permitted the protesters to disrespect Mayor

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ZOA urged President Wong to take concrete steps to prevent anti-Israel students from shut- ting down protected speech. As of this writing, San Francisco State has failed to reveal the status or results of its investigation. UC IRVINE In June 2016, the ZOA, joined by the Lawfare Project, wrote to Chancellor Howard Gillman at the University of California, Irvine (UCI), after Jewish and pro-Israel students were threatened, harassed, and intimidated by members of the SJP, Muslim Student Union, and allied groups. On May 18, 2016, members of these groups ag- gressively disrupted the screening of Beneath the Helmet, a documentary about young soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces. The protesters shouted and chanted, “Intifada, Intifada, long live the In- tifada!” “F--k Israel!” “F--k the police!” “When Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat people are occupied, resistance is justified!” and “All white people need to die!” The protesters blocked exits, prevented people from leaving the room, and forced at least one student to hide, fearing for her personal safety. Barkat and those who came to hear his speech. This student was prevented by the angry mob The ZOA even received a report that the police of protesters from attending the event. As she were instructed not to remove the disrupters and walked away, she reportedly was followed, forcing allowed them to continue their wrongful and her to escape to the safety of a nearby room. Stu- possibly criminal behavior. dents and others were effectively held hostage in President Wong issued a statement the day the screening room for 45 minutes, in fear, wait- after the incident, committing to an investi- ing to be rescued by law enforcement officers. gation by the dean of students and university Rather than show remorse for intimidating and police. But a month after his statement, the harassing other students, the SJP was exultant, investigation had still not concluded, at which bragging on its Facebook page: “Today we suc- point the ZOA sent its letter to President Wong. cessfully demonstrated against the presence of The ZOA urged President Wong to hold the IDF soldiers on campus. We condemn the Israeli student disrupters accountable under the uni- ‘Defense’ Forces, better defined as Israeli Occu- versity’s Standards for Student Conduct and pation Forces (IOF), because they enforce Zion- under California’s criminal laws, which make ist settler colonialism and military occupation it unlawful to willfully disturb an “assembly or of Palestinian land by the Israeli nation-state.” meeting that is not unlawful in its character” The ZOA and the Lawfare Project urged Chan- and to conspire to commit this crime. (ZOA’s cellor Gillman to complete a prompt and thor- efforts helped lead to the criminal prosecution ough investigation into the May 18 incident and and conviction of the so-called “Irvine 11”— hold the students and student groups involved members of the Muslim Student Union—under accountable if the evidence showed violations of these laws, after they disrupted Israeli Ambas- the Code of Student Conduct. (The ZOA and sador Michael Oren’s speech at the University the Lawfare Project identified eight provisions of California, Irvine in 2010.) In addition, the of the Code that appear to have been violated.)

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NYU-SJP’s Facebook post blaming Israel for racism in America

Rather than In addition, the ZOA and the Lawfare Project NEW YORK UNIVERSITY called on UCI to refer the matter to the district show attorney’s office for investigation and possible In July, the ZOA urged New York University remorse for criminal prosecution. California law prohibits (NYU) President Andrew Hamilton to speak willfully disturbing or breaking up a lawful as- out and condemn an anti-Semitic post on the intimidating sembly or meeting, and prohibits conspiracy to Facebook page of the SJP chapter at NYU. The and commit such a crime. Moreover, they urged the SJP blamed Israel for racism in the U.S., posting Chancellor to publicly condemn the wrongdo- that “many U.S. police departments train with harassing ing as hateful, divisive, and anti-Semitic, and also the #IsraeliDefenceForces [sic]. The same forces other to condemn the perpetrators by name. Further- behind the genocide of black people in america more, after the Chancellor told the media that [sic] are behind the genocide of Palestinians…” students, “the characterization of pervasive anti-Semitism The ZOA wrote: “All of us should be sickened the SJP was on campus is wrong,” the ZOA and the Lawfare by the SJP’s despicable tactics, not only lying Project documented the years of anti-Semitic ha- about Israel’s actions toward the Palestinian Ar- exultant, rassment and intimidation at UCI and informed abs, but also nefariously using Israel as the scape- bragging on the Chancellor that “It is not helpful to solving goat for problems of racism in this country— the problem to deny or minimize it.” problems which Israel could not possibly have its Facebook anything to do with.” page…

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believe that Jewish and pro-Israel students are Seated CLJ Director entitled, like all students, to feel physically and around Susan Tuchman emotionally safe on their college campuses. Speaks in Florida a table ZOA, With Other of mostly Susan Tuchman, director of the ZOA’s Center for Law and Justice, traveled to Florida in April, Groups, Provides lawyers, where she addressed three audiences about the Free Legal serious problem of campus anti-Semitism and she discussed offered ways to effectively address it. All arrange- Resources the legal ments for the tour were made by ZOA Florida Executive Director, Sharona Whisler. to Fight Campus issues and On April 7, Ms. Tuchman was a featured speak- Anti-Semitism er at a college-readiness program that the Scheck challenges Hillel Community School in North Miami Beach and the ZOA is sponsored for its graduating high-school seniors. Anti-Israelism She led two 25-minute interactive workshops confronting for two groups of high-school seniors, with ap- In addition to reporting incidents of campus proximately 35 students in each group, to edu- anti-Semitism directly to the ZOA—at zoa.org, in ensuring cate them about their legal rights if they encoun- zoacampus.org, or 212-481-1500—students ter anti-Semitism on their college campuses and and others can now report incidents to the ZOA that Jewish to discuss constructive strategies for responding and its partner organizations at EndBDS.com. to the problem. Using as examples anti-Semitic EndBDS provides free legal help to fight anti- college incidents that have actually occurred on Ameri- Israel and anti-Semitic activity. It is a resource students can college campuses, both inside and outside the for students, professors, and community mem- classroom, Tuchman discussed with students how bers seeking legal resources. EndBDS brings to- are afforded to identify potentially unlawful conduct and how gether legal organizations and pro bono lawyers they might consider responding to each incident to provide a one-stop destination for anyone a safe and in a constructive way. fighting the boycott, divestment, and sanctions That evening, she spoke at a parlor meeting (BDS) movement, and the anti-Semitism that welcoming in Hollywood (FL) graciously hosted by Steven often accompanies BDS, particularly on college learning and Sarah Jacoby. ZOA supporters, ZOA Florida campuses. Intake is available through the End- chapter board members, and concerned com- BDS website, Facebook, Twitter, or by calling/ environment. munity members came to hear about the ZOA’s texting the hotline at (213) 425-8008. work to combat campus anti-Semitism and to share their own experiences and perspectives. The following morning, Ms. Tuchman spoke at a breakfast meeting generously hosted by the Lichter Law Firm in Aventura. Seated around a table of mostly lawyers, she discussed the legal issues and challenges the ZOA is confronting in ensuring that Jewish college students are afford- ed a safe and welcoming learning environment. The meeting engendered a lively and stimulat- ing discussion about these issues and challenges, with participants sharing their perspectives not just as lawyers and activists but also as concerned parents and community members who firmly

25 Government Relations

Iran has test-fired many ballistic missiles designed to carry nuclear warheads, in clear violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, but incredibly, the Obama administration has acted as an attorney for Iran, insisting that this was not a JCPOA violation.

Ministers of foreign affairs from France, Germany, EU, Iran, the UK and the US

The ZOA Government Relations Department has most recently been focusing on two top priorities with Congress. We have been working to limit or eliminate funding to the Palestinian Authority (PA) until the Palestinian Arabs have made good on their various commitments. We also are doing everything possible to mitigate and reverse the disastrous 2015 Iran deal, aka the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The context in Washington for both of these priorities is unfortunately an increasingly partisan environment, especially regarding issues relating DAN POLLAK JOSH LONDON to Israel. The U.S. presidential campaign has only inflamed the existing Co-Director, Co-Director, partisan divide, which is a direct result of President Obama’s purposeful Government Government Relations Department Relations Department realignment of the traditional meaning of “pro-Israel.” ZOA is one of the

26 GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

only Jewish organizations not in denial about The Democratic platform on Israel, as it turned Since [the the actual state of partisan reality on issues relat- out, calls for “a two-state solution to the Israeli- ing to Israel. The fact is that, at present, the vast Palestinian conflict negotiated directly by the par- Iran Deal’s] majority of the Republican Party is sympathetic ties that guarantees Israel’s future as a secure and implementa- to Israel, and their political leadership is uni- democratic Jewish state with recognized borders formly behind Israel. In the Democratic Party and provides the Palestinians with independence, tion, Iran has leadership and grassroots, a fight is being waged sovereignty, and dignity.” It also says the future of between those who wish to support Israel, while Jerusalem should be left to final-status negotia- embarked expressing sympathy for the Palestinian Arabs, tions, supports Israel’s right to defend itself, and on a series of and those who are openly hostile to Israel, gener- condemns the BDS campaign against Israel. There ally sympathetic to the Boycott, Divestment and was a great deal of dissension from anti-Israel sup- actions that Sanctions (BDS) movement, and wistfully look- porters of Senator Sanders, however, and some of ing to Europe for inspiration on dividing the that found its way to the floor of the convention. show utter U.S. from the Likud-led government and from The GOP platform also opposed the Iran contempt Israel in general. nuclear deal and called the JCPOA “nonbind- ing on the next president,” as it does not hold for the PARTY PLATFORMS “treaty status.” The Democrats, by contrast, said: international DIVERGE ON ISRAEL “We support the nuclear agreement with Iran because, as it is vigorously enforced and imple- community The partisan divide has manifested itself particu- mented, it verifiably cuts off all of Iran’s path- larly in the platforms the two parties debated ways to a bomb without resorting to war.” and for and adopted at their conventions. On the GOP the U.S. in side, the platform defers to Israel to determine ,%21#+4#0%106+07'5 whether it is interested in negotiating a deal with TO FLAUNT THE RULES particular. the Palestinian Arabs and omits any reference to a “solution” that would establish an additional Nothing has occupied the ZOA Government Arab state. This is a departure even from the Relations Department more than this agree- usual pro-Israel platform, which at least paid ment, since the nuclear deal was finalized in July lip service to the idea of “two states” since the 2015. ZOA hosted a leadership lobbying event in initiation of the Oslo agreements. The platform September 2015, and National President Mor- also states: “We reject the false notion that Is- ton Klein was a featured speaker at a large rally rael is an occupier.” It “recognizes Jerusalem as sponsored by ZOA and others at the Capitol, but the eternal and indivisible capital of the Jewish Congress failed to stop this disastrous deal. The state” and calls for the American embassy to be JCPOA has been implemented by the Obama moved there. The Democratic process and plat- administration in spite of the fact that no one in form are more problematic. Vermont Senator the U.S. government has ever signed the agree- and former presidential hopeful Bernie Sand- ment, Congress has not ratified it, and, according ers was allowed to name five delegates to the to a White House spokesperson, it is considered 15-person Democratic Party Platform drafting by the Obama administration to be a “nonbind- committee. Of these, three are well-known hos- ing political commitment.” Since its implemen- tile critics and even relentless haters of Israel: the tation, Iran has embarked on a series of actions academic Cornel West; James Zogby, founder that show utter contempt for the international and president of the Arab American Institute; community and for the U.S. in particular. and Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison, Iran has test-fired many ballistic missiles de- the first Muslim member of Congress. Sanders’s signed to carry nuclear warheads, in clear viola- platform delegates sought explicit reference to tion of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, the so-called “Israeli occupation of Palestinian but incredibly, the administration has acted as Arab lands” and recognition of the Palestinian an attorney for Iran, insisting that this was not a Arab “right” to statehood. JCPOA violation. At the time the deal was an-

27 GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

The Government Relations Department a secret side deal that allows Iran to deploy im- proved centrifuges as early as 2026, and Iran is continues to prioritize ending aid to the allowed to “experiment” with improving them even today. When U.S. sailors inadvertently took Palestinian Authority (PA) and making a wrong turn and ended up in Iranian waters, the Revolutionary Guard Navy held them at gun- any future aid contingent upon their point and broke international law by humiliating the prisoners instead of aiding mariners in fulfilling their many interim peace distress. The U.S. took no action against Iran for these aggressive, provocative actions. accord obligations, such as ending Individual congressmen and senators have re- acted to these Iranian actions with fury, but so the promotion of hatred and violence far Congress has not effectively countered the administration’s passive approach to Iran. Al- against Jews and Israel in their schools, ready, some $100 billion to $150 billion in Ira- nian assets formerly frozen around the world media, speeches, and children’s camps. have been released to the Iranians. Most Demo- cratic senators and congressmen pretend to be- lieve that the Iranians will observe the JCPOA in good faith, or that the parameters of the JCPOA can still be vigorously enforced and implement- ed despite its non-binding nature and despite the ongoing record of non-vigorous enforce- ment at the highest levels of U.S. political lead- ership. They remain unwilling to take any action at this time that would put pressure on the Irani- nounced, however, Secretary of State John Kerry ans. A small number of Democrats seem to real- had stated that restrictions on ballistic missiles ize that more robust action is needed, but so far were part of the agreement. Additionally, Iran they have limited their activities to writing let- has not released all U.S. hostages and, since the ters to the President, in lieu of actual legislation. agreement was reached, has taken more Ameri- GOP members of Congress also are divided be- cans hostage. Iran also has failed to reveal the tween a small number who are taking the lead in details of past work on nuclear weapons, yet proposing new sanctions, and the leadership— President Obama directed that the U.S. vote particularly in the Senate—which seems to value with the rest of the participants in the JCPOA castigating Democrats for their votes in support to accept the Iranian stonewalling. This despite of the President’s policies over actually moving the findings of an International Atomic Energy forward with legislation to force new sanctions Agency (IAEA) report that Iranian work on on the Iranians. ZOA is working hard to advocate nuclear weapons may have continued up to and for new sanctions now. It is entirely possible that past 2009, and that the Iranians refused to coop- the Iranians would react quite strongly to new erate with the IAEA investigation. sanctions, and possibly even withdraw from the The Iranians were, of course, allowed to con- deal. The bottom line is that the actions Iran has duct their own unverified and unsupervised in- taken since the JCPOA went into effect should spections as part of this report. In late December, be more than enough to make every member the Iranians launched a missile that landed with- of Congress who supported the deal repudiate in 1,500 yards of a U.S. aircraft carrier that was it now. Even if by their individual rationale the transiting the Strait of Hormuz. It has recently original “deal” could somehow be said not to be a been revealed that in direct contradiction to the total disaster at the time, events have since clearly promises of the Obama administration, there is proven the JCPOA to be no good.

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Secretary of State John Kerry shakes hands with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas during a meeting on the sidelines of the Gaza Donors Conference (Author-U.S. Department of State)

PROMOTING PEACE Arab “refugees.” Right now, when true refugees AND FIGHTING BDS from the conflicts in Syria and Iraq are taxing the The Government Relations Department also resources of countries in the region, there may continues to prioritize ending aid to the Pales- be an opportunity to redirect some of the wast- tinian Authority (PA) and making any future ed funds to true humanitarian needs under the aid contingent upon their fulfilling their many UN High Commissioner for Refugees, which interim peace accord obligations, such as end- takes care of all refugees in the world except ing the promotion of hatred and violence against Palestinian Arabs. Jews and Israel in Palestinian Arab schools, me- Another related matter that has ended up be- dia, speeches, and children’s camps. We have ing a partisan issue is the funding of the UN specifically advocated a six-month period for the Framework Convention on Climate Change PA to stop providing payments to terrorists in (UNFCCC), the UN organization that oversees prison and to the families of dead terrorists for the climate funds from developed countries to murdering and injuring Jews (including Ameri- pay poorer countries for the impacts of what the cans). Perversely, the terrorists actually get paid UN calls climate change. ZOA takes no posi- more if their crimes are more heinous. tion on the underlying issue, which is outside A related matter is the misuse of U.S. aid to of our charter. But existing U.S. law requires UNRWA, the UN organization established to the administration to de-fund any UN agency provide “humanitarian aid” only to Palestinian that accepts “Palestine” as a member without an

29 GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

We have specifically advocated a six-month period for the PA to stop providing payments to terrorists in prison and to the families of dead terrorists for murdering and injuring Jews (including Americans). Perversely, the terrorists actually get paid moreif their crimes are more heinous. agreement with Israel. Unfortunately, this is pre- in Washington, D.C., and with other Ameri- cisely what UNFCCC has done, but the Obama can Jewish groups. For example, in conjunction administration has reacted by denying that with the ZOA’s Center for Law and Justice, we UNFCC is actually a UN agency. ZOA is work- continue to pursue opportunities to team with ing to get Congress to go beyond letters and take other Jewish groups to combat BDS, to enforce meaningful action to deny funding and thereby appropriate content for Title VI Department force compliance with U.S. law. of Education grants to Middle Eastern Studies The Government Relations Department also departments, and to make attempts to get the continues to focus on our other regular leg- Department of Education to enforce the poli- islative priorities, including fighting Boycott, cy against discrimination of Jewish students at Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), with some publicly-funded schools pursuant to Title VI activity at the federal level, but notable suc- of the Civil Rights Act. We work closely with cesses having been achieved in state legislatures. our regional directors and with ZOA Israel Di- We continue to be vigilant in educating Congress rector Jeff Daube. We also participate in meet- about the ongoing Arab war against Israel and ings, public forums, and policy discussions with communicating ZOA’s insights and reactions to foreign policy and political professionals, and the news of the day. The almost daily Arab stab- continue to engage in print and broadcast media bing attacks, car rammings against pedestrians, opportunities to spread the word on ZOA’s is- and shootings in Israel are directly attributable sues. ZOA’s Government Relations Department to PA incitement. The U.S. has done nothing co-directors also visit local ZOA chapters to give to hold Mahmoud Abbas, who is enjoying the talks and educate our members on the situation 11th year of his four-year term as PA President, in Washington. accountable for his barbaric statements encour- ZOA grassroots activism, particularly at our aging the violence and murders. annual D.C. Pro-Israel Capitol Hill Mission and our relentless grassroots campaign against the ZOA TEAMS WITH JCPOA, helps to underscore that at the heart OTHER GROUPS TO of all of ZOA’s Government Relations efforts stand the dedication, passionate advocacy, and FIGHT DISCRIMINATION depth of knowledge of ZOA members across In addition to dealing with our elected officials, the country. Please continue to stay involved in Government Relations interacts with other the grassroots advocacy that is so critical to our Jewish and Christian pro-Israel organizations being effective in Washington, D.C.

30 Purim Mission

ZOA National board member Rubin Margules with IDF soldiers and ZOA Purim Mission participants

Among other meaningful destinations, our mis- ZOA Mission sion included visits to the new-recruit training base and main naval base in Haifa Bay, which are Brings Purim located in separate areas along Israel’s largest port. Cheer To FACE TO FACE WITH NAVAL NEWBIES AND Israeli Forces SEASONED OFFICERS (QTVJGRCUV|[GCTUCTQWPF2WTKOVKOG<1# We first visited the base for new recruits. The RCTVKEKRCPVU|JCXGGODCTMGFQP|COQUVTGOCTM- soldiers were there to welcome us, standing on CDNG CPF OGOQTCDNG| +&( +UTCGN OKUUKQP NGF the main rallying square in a rectangular for- D[|0CVKQPCN$QCTFOGODGT4WDKP/CTIWNGU mation three to four soldiers deep. We met so This year we visited thousands of Israel Defense many wonderful young men and women, and Forces (IDF) personnel and personally distrib- they thanked us so sincerely. We responded uted more than 8,000 mishloach manot pack- with, “Thank you! Thank you for protecting ages, loaded with every kind of snack. We hand- this land.” Our visit was clearly a moral boost ed each soldier a letter from a student at one for them, visitors being infrequent at this new- of more than 30 participating U.S. day schools, recruit base. high schools, and synagogue schools. The sol- We are always amazed as we watch first-time diers love the letters even more than they do the ZOA mission participants experience for the first treats, and share them among their buddies. time the level of appreciation conveyed by

31 PURIM MISSION

We danced IDF personnel. It brings tears of joy to us all. HELPING “LONE” and sang New mission participants Joe, Joan, Arnie, and Helen were overwhelmed by their first encounter SOLDIERS FEEL AT HOME with these with the IDF soldiers. We also met Anastasia, a “lone” soldier from the “kids.” We danced and sang with these “kids.” Magnif- Ukraine. During each visit to every base, we icent examples of what Am Yisrael is all about, are greeted by young men and women who have Magnificent they hail from every imaginable background and joined the IDF as lone soldiers—soldiers who examples every area of the country. They are mostly fresh are in Israel without support from family out of high school and delay their university or friends, as they have chosen to make aliyah of what education until after their years of service. This alone. Many will approach us to say, “I have no Am Yisrael really sets them apart—they will not be kids for family here. You have no idea what this means long—from our kids in the U.S. to me. Today, you are my family here.” They is all about, From the training base, we traveled to the large are cared for at Lone Soldier centers that provide they hail naval base. Here we visited and boarded two of off-base housing and other needs for these the largest class ships in the Israeli navy, both young heroes. (The centers exist thanks to the from every of which were involved in the actions of Op- hard work of volunteers such as Mark and imaginable eration Protective Edge in the summer of 2014. Harriet Levin of Philadelphia, parents of fallen The officers we met described precisely what lone soldier Michael Levin.) At the centers, background they had accomplished during that war in Gaza, lone soldiers quickly make friends with their and every where they were quite effective in destroying fellow soldiers and matriculate more comfort- many substantial storehouses of weaponry and ably into the system. area of the supplies. Almost the entire crew of each ship Our visits to the IDF naval bases are always country. met with us, both on the dock and onboard. unique, as we have the opportunity to board The commander of one of the vessels, Roi, wel- ships and speak with so many varied personnel comed us and expressed his appreciation. We onboard. These brave young men and women also learned interesting details from Chief Engi- represent the resilience of Israel. We are proud neer Dor (a responsibility assumed by a ranking to take part in this important mission and captain) and Warfare Chief Asif, as well as Roz, to share our admiration and appreciation for another officer on board. their tireless work.

IDF soldiers received the Purim gift package that the ZOA Mission participants personally deliver.

32 ZOA Campus

ZACH STERN Managing <1#%CORWU Director and Tri-State Coordinator Reaching More Students (based in Than Ever Before New York City) DAVID KADOSH West Coast ZOA CAMPUS OVERVIEW Executive Director and Bay ZOA Campus continued to thrive throughout the spring 2016 semester. Area Coordinator The department expanded its reach yet again to beat its numbers from the fall. (based in ZOA Campus worked with 138 pro-Israel student groups at 119 universities Oakland, CA) across the country, in addition to coordinating or co-sponsoring 135 events at 80 other schools. LEORE Campus coordinators traveled throughout the country to lead events about Is- BEN-DAVID rael and work with students to promote the Jewish state and fight anti-Semitism. Associate Direc- Events and topics ranged from advocacy training and Krav Maga seminars to tor and West talks on Palestinian-Arab incitement, Jewish history in Israel, the wars in Gaza, Coast Coordina- tor (based in Los Palestinian-Arab terrorism, and more. The staff also worked with student leaders Angeles, CA) to bring prominent speakers to campus, including Muslim Zionists, Christian Zionists, advocacy-training professionals, and more. PANDIT MAMI ZOA Campus also participated in dozens of Yom Ha’atzmaut (Israeli In- Midwest dependence Day) festivals at campuses across the country. While these were Coordinator mostly celebrations, ZOA Campus worked to add a strong educational compo- (based in nent. For example, campus coordinators urged students to celebrate not only Detroit, MI) modern-day Israel but also its more than three thousand years of Jewish his- tory. They also worked with students to ensure that Yom Ha’atzmaut events promoted the truth about Zionism. Overall, the department succeeded in add- CESAR ing important Zionist messages to some of the most popular events on campus. DEGRACIA- ZOA Campus also developed new initiatives to creatively insert Zion- MORALES ist education into campus pop culture. In one endeavor, pro-Israel stu- Southeast dents—led by ZOA Campus along with several other pro-Israel organi- Coordinator zations, handed out free coffee in customized clay mugs imprinted with (based in Miami, FL) powerful pro-Israel messages or quotes by leading figures. One set of mugs, for example, had a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Israel is one of the great outposts of democracy in the world.” Since students love giveaways as JONATHAN GINSBURG well as coffee, they did not turn down free java in nice mugs they could keep. New England The mugs also prominently feature the ZOA logo, thus extending the brand. Coordinator The coffee-mug initiative is particularly effective because college students re- (based in late positively to the prominent figures quoted and respect their worldviews. Boston, MA) In other words, next time these students hear something about Israel, they will remember that one of their role models was a strong supporter of Israel. More- over, students will keep their pro-Israel mugs for years. OR TAYLOR Mid-Atlantic The department successfully ran this initiative on 15 campuses across the Coordinator country and will run it again in the upcoming semester. ZOA Campus is work- (based in ing on other, similar pop culture-oriented initiatives, such as SodaStream give- Washington, D.C.) aways, to raise awareness of the negative effects of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.

33 ZOA CAMPUS

ZOA site also features a compilation of videos, myths Best-In-Class and facts, and in-depth reports on many anti- Campus Israel organizations and speakers on campus. succeeded New ZOA ZOA STUDENT LEADER- in adding Website SHIP MISSION TO ISRAEL important The ZOA Student Leadership Mission to Zionist ZOA Campus is pleased to announce that its Israel is a fun and intense two weeks of educa- new website, ZOACampus.org, won Best in tion and advocacy training in Israel. Students messages Class at the 2016 International Media Awards. travel throughout the Jewish state, including The website is a one-stop shop for Israel advo- Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and many stra- to some of cacy on campus. tegic border regions (Western Negev, Galilee, the most In addition to providing students with every- Jordan Valley, and Golan Heights). They meet thing they need to know about ZOA Campus’s with Knesset members, journalists, policy popular resources and opportunities, the website pro- experts, military experts, and more. This trip is vides dozens of fact sheets, booklets, videos, and intended for Israel activists or those committed events on databases that give students the tools they need to becoming Israel activists in the near future. campus. to fight for Israel. Students can print and hand The trip arms student leaders with the facts and out ZOA Campus’s fact sheets at events and ta- unique experiences they need to be strong Zion- bles or use them as tools to expose the anti-Sem- ist campus activists. itism of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) The summer 2016 trip proved to be a ma- and anti-Israel speakers on campus. jor success. ZOA Campus took 31 Jewish and Fact sheet and booklet topics include BDS, Christian Zionist student leaders from across the Palestinian-Arab terrorism and incitement, hu- U.S. to experience Israel from a perspective only man rights in the Middle East, and more. The seen on the ZOA mission.

Student Leadership Mission to Israel students share their pride in northern Israel

34 ZOA CAMPUS

At the Knesset, students met Likud leaders who briefed them on the security situation

The mission is unique and powerful in many unique opportunity of staying overnight in Sa- The ZOA trip ways. Arguably, the most prominent is that stu- maria’s only hotel, located in Ariel. They heard dents travel extensively in Judea and Samaria, from the owner of the hotel, which has endured consisted of something they rarely can do with other organi- two terrorist attacks since the beginning of the Jewish and zations. Traveling throughout the region, they Second Intifada. They also heard the hotel own- learn about Jewish roots in the area and gain er’s heroic story of saving IDF soldiers from a Christian first-hand experience to help them combat the terrorist armed with a suicide belt. myths spread on campuses about Judea and Sa- Trip participants had the opportunity to spend Zionists who maria. The following are some highlights of Shabbat and stay overnight with host families saw Israel what students experienced in Judea, Samaria, in Kfar Adumim, a small community east of and the rest of Israel: Jerusalem in the Judean Hills. Here, students from a In Ariel, a community in Judea/Samaria, stu- interacted with community members and expe- dents spoke with Jewish and Palestinian-Arab rienced the polar opposite of how “settlers” are perspective employees who work together peacefully. They portrayed in the media. Students learned that only seen learned from the Arab employees why BDS is people living in these communities are normal harmful for Palestinian-Arabs and why they and good. They also learned the strategic impor- on the ZOA would rather work in Israel than in the Palestin- tance of keeping these communities and the sur- ian Authority. Students also saw for themselves rounding areas under Israeli control. mission. the reality on the ground in the communities In the Jordan Valley, students heard local of Judea and Samaria and why “settlements” community members speak about co-existence are not the obstacles to peace; rather, they are with their Arab neighbors and how Israel must bridges to peace. maintain control of this important strip of land. On many of our trips, students have had the The speakers also discussed the hypocrisy of the

35 ZOA CAMPUS

European Union’s boycott of their products and they need to stand up for Israel and fight anti- how it hurts Palestinian-Arab employees more Israel hatred on campus. ZOA Campus aims to than anyone else. replicate this experience on the organization’s ZOA Israel Director, Jeff Daube, led an in- next mission, which will take place during the depth tour of Jerusalem’s so-called Green Line 2016-2017 winter break. to show students that dividing Jerusalem is both unethical and impossible. They learned why ev- ZOA CAMPUS eryone is better off when all of Jerusalem is un- FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM der Israeli control. Students also met Yoav Yaron, a young Israeli The department is excited to continue and ex- from Gush Katif. Yoav, who was 14 years old pand its successful fellowship program in the during the Gaza disengagement, told students 2016-2017 academic year. After signing on 20 his emotional story, and how the disengage- fellows in the 2015-2016 year, campus coor- ment affected many Israelis. He also addressed dinators look forward to overseeing 30 fellows the subsequent catastrophic consequences of the this coming term. Campus fellows act as paid decision and how students can apply this lesson ZOA interns on campus. They are responsible when discussing Judea and Samaria. for guaranteeing strong Zionist programing and In Sderot, students visited a kindergarten and ensuring that the ZOA’s message is heard on met children who have grown up living and go- college campuses. They are also responsible for ing to school in bomb shelters. Students learned making sure the ZOA name is associated with about the harsh realities in the area and heard these programs, thus helping ZOA expand its the kindergarteners say that they do not hate reach and enhance its brand. all Arabs, despite growing up amid Arab rocket Each fellow is responsible for planning four The ZOA attacks. This was an exceptionally powerful mo- ZOA events throughout the school year and ment for the ZOA students, as they saw first-hand tabling at six events with ZOA materials. They Student the sharp contrast between the Israeli education must contribute two items to the ZOA Campus system and the Palestinian-Arab education sys- blog. With the expansion to 30 fellows, ZOA Leadership tem. After visiting with the kindergarteners, the Campus is guaranteed at least 120 events on key Mission to ZOA students donated toys to the children. campuses across the country, as well as 100 to In the north, the students learned about the 200 events with non-fellows. Israel arms strategic and historical importance of maintain- student ing the Golan Heights. They discussed the secu- ZOA SUMMER rity situation in Syria and Lebanon and its effect INTERNSHIP PROGRAM leaders with on Israel’s decision-making in the area. Students the facts and also met with Arab leaders in northern Israel ZOA Campus hosted a total of nine interns this to learn about the freedoms and opportunities past summer in its New York and Bay Area of- unique available for Israel’s minorities, gaining facts and fices. Interns helped ZOA Campus expand its personal stories that can help them combat the database of fact sheets, booklets, and research on personal myths spread by J Street and SJP about the treat- anti-Semitic activity on campus. The internship experiences ment of Israeli Arabs. is a great way for students to jump-start their The students experienced the social media “War Israel activism and maintain their involvement they need Room” at the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) in the ZOA. to be strong Herzliya, where they had the chance to build their own social media campaigns from scratch. This Zionist exercise taught them the most effective ways to engage social media users in Israel activism. activists on Overall, the ZOA Student Leadership Mission campus. to Israel greatly impacted the students and gave them the skills, experiences, and personal stories

36 +UTCGN1HƂEG

Public Diplomacy Deputy Minister Michael Oren (center) at ZOA Israel (l-r) Yesh Atid MK Aliza Lavie delighted to view co-sponsored young professionals event in Tel Aviv anti-BDS video by ZOA Campus leader Heather Alper after introduction by Israel Director Daube

Helping Israel Succeed Amid Cutting Edge Challenges

Whether as a high-tech pacesetter or as a lead- Moving Israel’s diplomatic corps toward KPI ƂIJVGT CICKPUV VGTTQT+UTCGN KU OQTG VJCP a more Zionist orientation has been especially holding its own at the cutting edge of West- trying, though recent successes are encourag- ern world challenges. And ZOA Israel is mak- ing: for example, the issuing by Deputy For- ing steady progress with its own complementary eign Minister Tzipi Hotovely of new guide- efforts, educating those who are under-informed lines—with new ministry website content to about complex realities, legal truths, and Zionist match—requiring that Israel’s hasbara agents ideas and practice; and turning awareness into make Israel’s legal rights case, especially to sup- JEFF DAUBE pro-Israel action by mobilizing support for all of port Judea and Samaria settlement. Hotovely Director, the above and advancing robust policies and laws. formally thanked ZOA Israel for its role in this ZOA Israel and parallel developments. EDUCATION Against the backdrop of damaging law clin- ics offered by, for example, the Geneva Initia- Thanks to ZOA Israel and its indomitable part- tive and New Israel Fund grantee Yesh Din, ners, long-suppressed alternatives to Palestinian ZOA Israel’s Legal Grounds campaign brought Arab statehood are appearing more frequently its own rights-based alternative onto the educa- and gaining respect in the national discourse. tion scene. We can expect to see many of the Much work still is needed. Even as the number hand-picked law students working someday as of “two-state” aficionados in Israel is substantially key ministry decision makers and academics. diminished, we find many yet unwilling to look Besides MK Amir Ohana and Levy Report co- beyond the next feel good White House lawn cer- author Alan Baker, who addressed the group emony. Thus we continue to take on the lawmak- at course end, eight renowned experts lectured ers, diplomats, journalists, NGO heads, academ- variously about the nuances of international ics, and students, asking them to ponder a failed law and its application to residence in dispute. terrorist entity situated at Israel’s jugular—not Masterful student research also was presented to mention other, longer term sobering scenarios. and is being used in our Knesset advocacy.

37 ISRAEL OFFICE

Even as the ZOA Israel continues to inform Israeli and vis- ample, those arriving in Israel as Shoah orphans number of iting U.S. leaders about unauthorized European only to have been killed in Israel’s War of Inde- Union construction in Israel-controlled Area C pendence). We are working on bringing togeth- two-state that is enabling Arab squatters; and all kinds of er all four NGOs to coordinate with our own aficionados illegal building by Arab or Bedouin populations education lineup for this history-rich site. in and around Jerusalem, the Galilee, and the is Negev. Our joint efforts with state land protect- MOBILIZATION substantially ing Regavim, e.g., recruiting important eyewit- nesses for its trips to E-1 and elsewhere, have After European Union (EU) Ambassador Lars diminished, been instrumental in getting the word out. Faaborg-Andersen spoke inaccurately at a Ye- many With introducing the younger demographic to diot Ahronot anti-BDS conference about Israel’s political processes now featuring more promi- borders and more, ZOA Israel’s Legal Grounds are yet nently in ZOA Israel’s education agenda, we in- asked him to publicly debate our chief legal ad- unwilling to vited ZOA’s winter Student Leadership Mission visor, international law professor Eugene Konto- to Israel leaders Michelle Herman and Catheryn rovich. Despite our repeated attempts, Faaborg- look beyond Noel Marshall to partake in our advocacy at Andersen firmly declined our challenge. A Legal the next the Knesset and on Capitol Hill, respectively. Grounds action alert then had our followers The German Holocaust educator we brought discredit his misrepresentations during a live feel-good, to a Knesset assembly on anti-Israel UNRWA Facebook event that he organized. White House incitement likewise found the experience Legal Grounds also was responsible for the instructive and energizing. Jerusalem Day guerrilla attack on Wikipe- lawn Following the summer mission led by ZOA dia, highlighting that Israel, unlike any other ceremony. Campus Director Zach Stern and his outstand- sovereign nation, is not permitted to designate ing team, we offered a second Jerusalem Seam its own capital. We changed London to Man- Line tour to five trip extenders eager to learn chester, Paris to Marseilles, and so on. Though more. Two additional mission participants ac- the online substitutes did not hold for long, our quired new insights in the seminars on Jerusalem offbeat tactic managed to garner the attention and Legal Grounds that we presented to them, we hoped for in the Hebrew language press. along with Video Activism interns. Increasingly, leadership is stepping up to fill Approached by a New York University gradu- the legal rights vacuum of decades past. A re- ate professor who was dismayed by the one-sided cently held Knesset forum was especially gratify- viewpoint typically imparted to semester abroad ing for the Legal Grounds team, with MKs Yoav students, ZOA Israel balanced his speaker ros- Kisch (Likud), Yoav Ben-Tzur (Shas), Oded ter with Zionists MK Ohana and Kohelet Policy Forer (Yisrael Beitenu), and Bezalel Smotrich Forum Co-Director Ran Bar-Yoshafat. We also (Habayit Hayehudi) successively making Israel’s supplied guidance to a Baruch College mission superior rights case; and Deputy Minister Ho- comprised of MBA students seeking to better tovely reinforcing their points—MK Talal Abu understand Israel. Arar (United Arab List) heckling her through- Student groups Im Tirtzu and Hazon Leumi, out—questioning how more could be expected each in its own way actively promoting Zion- from the international community while Israel ist ideas, continue to benefit from ZOA Israel remains unwilling to speak on its own behalf. collaborations. ZOA Israel also is collaborating Education Minister Naftali Bennett later used with army preparatory program Aharai, which nearly identical language at a packed Shurat supports at-risk youth before, during, and after HaDin security conference. their service to help them flourish as produc- ZOA Israel’s push for sundry activities on tive Zionist citizens. Latet Panim, another or- the Mount of Olives is proceeding well. As ganization we work with, is engaging university intended, we are attracting growing public in- students to research the genealogies of faceless terest while broadcasting to Israel’s adversaries soldiers buried on the Mount of Olives (for ex- that sovereignty in Jerusalem is non-negotiable.

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An all-day touring and performances event held on Passover, largely supported by ally Miri Regev’s Culture Ministry and by the Jerusalem Development Authority, kicked off the last round. Two sold-out summer concerts brought back the crowds and a powerful police presence. In our post-events publicity, we underscored the effrontery of coinciding denials by UNESCO of Jewish ties to this very location. Meanwhile, ZOA Israel, with diaspora partner International Committee for the Preservation of Har HaZeitim (ICPHH), moved a number of security initiatives forward, leading to marked On ZOA improvement in eastern Jerusalem. Thanks to Levy Report advisor Dr. Harel Arnon lecturing Israel’s latest Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, in particu- about Judea-Samaria building rights in Legal lar, substantial funds and forces were addition- Grounds inaugural law clinic Washington ally allocated. The connections Erdan made for round, we us with top police brass also helped to advance our proposal to build a protective wall around persuaded the Mount of Olives cemetery. An additional 4 reaved Americans. DeSantis did not hesitate after DOJ officials million shekels (roughly $1.05 million) were we asked him to air the complaints of neglected tacked on by the government for its construction. overseas victims in hearings on the House side, and U.S. dip- ZOA Israel’s introduction of security ex- as Cruz had done with his Judiciary subcommit- lomats pert MK Ohana to ZOA (by way of a well- tee on the Senate side. We are awaiting an update attended New York event facilitated by ZOA’s from Representative Mark Meadows (R-NC), to treat rock- Howard Katzoff and Liz Berney, and an infor- who had given the DOJ official present a 120- throwing mative briefing for ZOA’s National Board upon day deadline to report on better communications Ohana’s U.S. return) hit the mark in terms of with and assistance for the anguished parties. and fire- mobilizing Israel support at this time of great On ZOA Israel’s latest Washington round, we bombing need. Our personal delivery of 8,500 pack- persuaded DOJ officials and U.S. diplomats to ages to IDF soldiers, during ZOA’s 2016 Purim treat rock-throwing and firebombing attacks on attacks on solidarity mission led by Brooklyn President the Mount of Olives as acts of terror. As a result, the Mount of Rubin Margules, hit that mark as well. American victims in these instances also may On a more somber note, Palestinian Arabs have qualify for redress, via the International Terror- Olives as acts murdered 141 Americans (as of this writing), ism Victim Economic Reimbursement Program. of terror. with not one having faced so much as a U.S. in- dictment, let alone punishment. As has become POLICY / LEGISLATION As a result, our heartbreaking routine, most recently we vis- American ited Kiryat Arba to explain U.S. Justice Depart- ZOA Israel’s push to cut off Palestinian Author- ment (DOJ) and State Department obligations ity (PA) funding—in amounts equal to terrorist victims to the family of Hallel Yaffa Ariel, a beautiful salaries and terrorist family stipends—is making in these 13-year-old stabbed to death while in her bed. further headway. Senator Dan Coats (R-IN) re- A few days later, we had to repeat this difficult task cently introduced an amendment to that effect, instances with Chava Rachel Mark’s brother, her stand-in and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu moved also may after being seriously injured in the shooting that to freeze PA tax revenues. Our years-long probe, killed her husband and father of 10, Miki. with the participation of Representative Eliot En- qualify for U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Represen- gel (D-NY), to ascertain an exact U.S. aid figure, redress. tative Ron DeSantis (R-FL) have been especially unfortunately came up against yet another road- responsive to the grievances of injured and be- block: that information has now turned classified.

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the interest of ZOA members, who asked us to provide English translations both for this and the aforementioned anti-terror law. The bill is named after brutally slain Richard Lakin, whose son, Micah Avni, has been working tirelessly with ZOA Israel to curb the incitement that he avers was a major cause of his father’s murder. ZOA Israel pitched in again when California Assemblyman Travis Allen asked for help solicit- ing support for his state legislature’s anti-BDS bills. MKs Aliza Lavie (Yesh Atid), Anat Berko (Likud), Culture Minister Miri Regev encouraged by Sharren Haskell (Likud), and Deputy Speaker cheering crowds everywhere on the Mount of Olives during Passover mega event Hilik Bar (Labor) readily agreed to participate to the extent permissible. The tour we provided Allen on the Mount of Olives gave him additional in- Meanwhile, we let members of Knesset and sight into the legitimacy challenges faced by Israel. Congress know that the PA’s financing of ter- MK Dr. Lavie, who is also an academic, rorists, which it was assuring everyone would requested assistance with her plea to the Nation- be eliminated, in fact had not been. We circu- al Women’s Studies Association to stop its be- lated Palestinian Media Watch reports demon- trayal of feminist values inherent in its boycott strating how the PA was evading detection by of Israeli professors. We thought to include ZOA first shifting these funds to the PLO. Minister Campus mission alumna Heather Alper, intern- Gilad Erdan graciously agreed to write a letter to ing at Video Activism in Jerusalem, who then Congress, which we presented, approving of our produced her own video response, much to La- After mission to expose this sneaky shell game. vie’s delight. At a Knesset Christian Allies Cau- After 23 years, we still find ourselves fighting cus forum, we argued in favor of a best-defense- years the anti-incitement battle, but now on the social is-a-good-offense legal strategy to help other of media front, too. ZOA Israel’s conversations with MKs oppose instances of harmful BDS policy. the policy and law chief of DOJ’s National Secu- Years ago, Legal Grounds advisor and former promotion, rity Division, among others including law profes- ZOA National Executive Director Jan Sokolovsky to mark sor and ZOA National Board member Malvina had enlisted ZOA Israel in her push for Knesset Halberstam, have revealed a high free-speech bar. legislation—akin to the U.S. Foreign Agents Reg- the Jewish This online phenomenon is almost impossible to istration Act (FARA)—concerning foreign gov- nation’s first legislate against in the U.S., though we are trying, ernment funding of Israeli NGOs. After many with the help of certain Beltway friends. iterations, the transparency bill’s recent passage entry into During our June visit on the Hill, we pointed expectedly drew condemnations from the inter- the Land of to the EU’s stricter code of conduct for social national community and from several of the media providers Facebook and Google—permit- roughly two dozen Israeli groups affected. Israel, the ting lawsuits, even—which we had discussed at ZOA Philadelphia Director Steve Feldman’s 10th of length back in Israel with Ambassador Faaborg- idea—to have the Jewish nation’s first entry into Andersen and with the EU coordinator on com- the land of Israel on the 10th of Nisan officially Nisan bating anti-Semitism, Katharina von Schnur- recognized on Israel’s calendar—morphed into is now bein. We also shared the provisions of the new the new Yom HaAliyah Knesset law, after years Knesset Terror Law, explaining how it criminal- of promotion by ZOA Israel and our co-activ- officially izes any direct call to terror violence, irrespective ists. We are tossing around possible next steps to recognized of whether violence actually is enacted. further mark this day of Israel’s greatest aliyah, Another Israeli social media regulatory bill, such as holding an annual event at the Qasr al on Israel’s sponsored by Labor MK Revital Swid, and pres- Yahud Jordan River crossing site, and installing calendar. ently past its first Knesset reading, also piqued a permanent monument.

40 ZOA Around the Country

Richard Landes discusses The Cult of the Occupation, the international community’s obsession with Israel’s ZOA New York at the Jeruslaem Post Annual Conference presence in Judea and Samaria

Square. ZOA members received a highly dis- This year’s Cel- NEW YORK counted rate for the conference by registering ebrate Israel through the ZOA. This year’s theme, Israel, the Day parade CELEBRATING U.S., and the Free World in the Shadow of Terror, featured high-profile speakers including Israeli fell on Yom JERUSALEM AT THE Ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer, Permanent ISRAEL DAY PARADE UN Representative Danny Danon, Member of Yerushalayim Over 200 Zionists from the New York area Knesset Anat Berko, and many others. We plan (Jerusalem to make this an annual event for our members. registered to march with ZOA New York in Day), marking the annual Celebrate Israel Day parade. This year’s parade happened to fall on Yom Yerusha- ZIONIST CULTURE CLUB the 49th anni- layim (Jerusalem Day), which commemorates EXPLORES ENTEBBE versary of the the re-unification of the Jewish people’s eternal AND ISRAEL’S PRIME capital. ZOA New York chose to highlight the re-unification 49th anniversary of re-unification with a Jeru- MINISTERS salem-centered theme, including banners and With this year marking the fortieth anniversary of Jerusalem. t-shirts that celebrated a unified Jerusalem. of Operation Thunderbolt, the Israeli comman- ZOA New York The Israel Day parade was the last major event do raid on Entebbe, the Zionist Culture Club of a busy spring for ZOA New York. The season convened to discuss Yoni’s Last Battle: The Rescue chose a Jerusa- started with a lecture from Dr. Richard Landes at Entebbe, 1976 by Iddo Netanyahu. The group lem-centered at our general membership meeting in April. followed up with a screening of the 1977 film, Dr. Landes, a recently retired professor of history Raid on Entebbe. The book and film paved the theme for the at Boston University, gave a timely talk entitled way for fascinating conversations about Jewish parade, The Cult of the Occupation, which focused on self-defense and what it means to be a Zionist. the international community’s obsession with Our last segment of the year will focus on Israel’s including Israel’s presence in Judea and Samaria. The eve- Prime Ministers. In October, we plan to discuss banners and ning included a wine-and-hors d’oeuvres recep- the book, Menachem Begin: The Battle for Israel’s tion that was complimentary for current ZOA Soul by Daniel Gordis, and in December, we will t-shirts that members. A recording of the lecture is available screen the documentary film, The Prime Ministers. celebrated on the ZOA New York website, at nyc.zoa.org. As always, feel free to reach out to us at nyc@ In May, ZOA New York sent a delegation of zoa.org if you’d like to learn more about our a unified activists to the fifth Jerusalem Post Annual Con- activities and opportunities for you to become Jerusalem. ference, held at the Marriot Marquis in Times involved.

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Whisler: “By passing this legislation, the state of Florida clearly

recognized New York’s Celebrate Israel Day Parade the hypocrisy FLORIDA ZOA Florida booth at the Celebrate Israel Festival and ZOA Florida’s winter and spring were packed dishonesty with events and educational programming, beginning with a visit from ZOA National of the BDS President Morton Klein. Rabbi Eliot Pearl- movement; son of Temple Menorah of Miami Beach noted Hollywood about the importance of strength- that Klein “defines the decisive description of a ening the Jewish communities in Judea and its deceitful leader” and appealed to the community, saying: Samaria, especially Kedumim. claim that its “A person who wants to be best apprised of issues In the political arena, Ms. Whisler encouraged of concern to the Jewish community should defi- Floridians to contact their lawmakers to support views are nitely attend this weekend’s presentations.” In an Florida Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen’s based on interview with The Florida Jewish Journal, Klein legislation, which seeks to end the PA’s incite- said, “I want audiences to gain knowledge that ment against Israel by shutting down its office ‘human they can use in discussions with their friends, in Washington, D.C. ZOA has long called for rights’ and families, and neighbors, and I also want to give an end to U.S. financial support for the Palestin- them confidence that Israel is in the right on all ian Authority (PA) so long as violence and terror ‘internation- these issues.” Said ZOA Florida Executive Direc- towards Israel are encouraged and celebrated as al law’ and tor Sharona Whisler: “With the terrifying reali- part of the PA’s daily culture. ties facing Israel and the Jewish people today, it its sinister is more important than ever that we hear from FLORIDA LEGISLATION goal of a leader who is not afraid to tell difficult truths.” BLOCKING BDS IS A FIRST In February, ZOA Florida co-sponsored the mainstream- David Posnack JCC’s annual Tu b’Shvat event. This past spring, Ms. Whisler proudly witnessed ing bigotry Ms. Whisler’s parents, ZOA National Board as Governor Rick Scott signed into law a bill that member Leonard Getz and Susan Getz from will prevent any company that engages in BDS and Philadelphia, joined the tabling efforts and from doing business with the state of Florida. discrimina- helped register new members. Visitors to ZOA’s The bill was introduced by Florida State Senator table composed letters to Israeli soldiers, to be Joe Negron (R-Palm City) and State Represen- tion into the delivered during ZOA’s Purim mission to Israel. tatives Ritch Workman (R-Melbourne), Jared fabric of our The Jewish Press covered ZOA Florida’s efforts Moskowitz (D-Coral Springs), and Kevin Rader and published a photo of the event. (D-Delray Beach). Florida is the first state to culture.” Later that month, ZOA Florida hosted a sur- adopt this bill. prise visit from the deputy mayors of Kedumim, The ZOA helped bring about this huge anti- Raphaella Segal and Shoshana Shilo, and ar- BDS victory for Florida. Ms. Whisler directed ranged for Ms. Segal to address Young Israel of ZOA members to contact their state senators

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ZOA Florida was proud to bring its largest-ever contingent to ZOA’s Pro-Israel Mission to Capitol Hill in May, ZOA Florida Executive Director Sharona Whisler Florida Governor Rick Scott signs anti-BDS bill with Florida Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen into law including Florida ZOA board members and representatives, and ZOA kept members events was an Israeli wine-tasting, facilitated by informed and provided them with resources ZOA’s Co-Director of Government Relations, Michael and talking points regarding the status of the Joshua London. The wine-tasting featured an Marcus and legislation. Whisler was quoted in The South assortment of red, white, and blush wines exclu- Allen Florida Sun Sentinel, saying: “The Zionist Orga- sively from wineries in Israel’s biblical heartland nization of America is very pleased by Florida’s of Judea and Samaria, whose sales and exports Hamaoui. anti-BDS legislative victory and proud to have have been affected by the European Union’s an- guided constituents to lobby state lawmakers to ti-Semitic labeling edict, requiring Israeli com- vote in favor of it.” She added: “By passing this panies located in the “West Bank” to be labeled legislation, the state of Florida clearly recognized as such. The event, hosted by ZOA Florida and the hypocrisy and dishonesty of the BDS move- Young Israel of Hollywood, was a huge success ment; its deceitful claim that its views are based and brought in several new ZOA members. on ‘human rights’ and ‘international law’ and its ZOA Florida also arranged for Mr. London to sinister goal of mainstreaming bigotry and dis- facilitate a private discussion in Aventura and to crimination into the fabric of our culture.” address Young Israel of Hollywood on Shabbat, Included in Around the same time, ZOA Florida sent out on “How to Fix the U.S.-Israel Relationship.” ZOA Florida’s a press release commending the Michael-Ann delegation Russell JCC in North Miami Beach for making COLLEGE STUDENTS the unprecedented decision to cancel a theatri- LEARN ABOUT THEIR were two out- cal production, Crossing Jerusalem, because it spoken young stereotypes Jews much in the way our enemies RIGHTS do. Whisler was quoted in The South Florida Sun Students from the Brauser Maimonides Acad- Zionists, Sentinel about the controversy, saying: “The play emy in Fort Lauderdale, Hebrew Academy in 13-year-old portrays Israel in an unambiguously negative Miami Beach, Scheck Hillel Community Day and unfair way that fosters hate for the Jewish School in North Miami, and Israel Scouts of Yael Hamaoui state. This is evident to any audience possessing South Florida wrote hundreds of notes for Israeli and moral clarity, and in particular is hurtful and in- soldiers that were personally distributed during high-school sulting to Israelis, who make up a very large part ZOA’s Purim Mission to Israel. of the South Florida Jewish community.” ZOA Florida’s collaboration with the Scheck student Evan One of ZOA Florida’s most anticipated spring School continued with a presentation by Susan Jacoby.

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Schultz and Lois Frankel, and Congressman Ted Deutsch to discuss the damage of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran, ending U.S. aid to the Palestinian Author- The wine- ity, and UN Security Council dangers. ZOA tasting Florida continues to follow up with the officials on these issues. Included in the delegation were featured an two outspoken young Zionists, 13-year-old Yael Hamaoui and high-school student Evan Jacoby. assortment In celebration of Israel’s independence, ZOA of red, white, Florida co-sponsored several Yom Ha’atzmaut (Is- raeli Independence Day) events, including the Is- and blush raeli American Council’s Celebrate Israel Festival, wines ZOA Center for Law and Justice Director Susan which was attended by several thousand people. Tuchman educates high school seniors on cam- Visitors to ZOA’s booth were challenged with exclusively pus anti-Semitism some fun Zionist trivia. Ms. Whisler was joined by Shoshanna Stein, an energetic ZOA Florida board from member, and volunteer Yonathan Benarroch. wineries in If you would like to become more active with ZOA, please contact fl[email protected]. Judea and Tuchman, director of ZOA’s Center for Law and Samaria, Justice, during College Preparedness Week. Ms. Tuchman addressed the school’s graduating class PHILADELPHIA whose sales on “The Problem of Campus Anti-Semitism and and evxports How to Address It,” providing examples of actual ZOA PHILADELPHIA anti-Semitic incidents on campuses that some of COVERS THE WATERFRONT have been the students will be attending. The presentation educated students about their right to a non- Greater Philadelphia ZOA hosted a wide range affected by hostile campus environment under Title VI of of events over the past few months, ranging the EU’s the Civil Rights Act and aimed to prepare and from lectures by prominent speakers to coun- empower them on how to respond should they ter-demonstrations to our annual Gala and labeling edict experience anti-Semitic harassment or intimida- other activities. requiring tion. One student, quoted in an article published We presented “An Evening with Melanie Phil- in The Florida Jewish Journal, said of Tuchman’s lips,” featuring the staunchly pro-Israel British Israeli presentation: “If I participate in pro-Israel events author and journalist. The event took place at or general campus programs, I’ll be aware of po- Congregation Beth Or, a large Reform synagogue companies tential signs of hate. If I do experience anti-Sem- in suburban Philadelphia. We also presented located in itism in college, I will have taken the steps she “An Evening with Ryan Bellerose,” featuring taught us to pursue action against anti-Semitism.” the social-media sensation from Canada, who is the “West Ms. Tuchman also gave a presentation at a parlor an indigenous-rights activist deeply engaged in Bank” to be meeting in Hollywood and led a discussion for at- promoting the Jewish people as the indigenous torneys at the Aventura-based Lichter Law Firm. people of the land of Israel. The event took place labeled as In May, ZOA Florida brought its largest-ever at Congregation Mikveh Israel, which is known such. contingent to ZOA’s annual Pro-Israel Capitol as “the synagogue of the American Revolution.” Hill Mission in Washington, D.C., including On April 1 (April Fool’s Day), an aggressive, ZOA Florida board members Michael Mar- local anti-Israel group planned to hold an an- cus and Allen Hamaoui. Delegates met with ti-Israel event during the popular First Friday U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson of monthly arts festival in Philadelphia’s historic Florida, Congresswomen Debbie Wasserman area. With advance word of their event, Greater

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Lewis B. Dashe’s wisdom and intellect, friendship, and passionate Zionism will be missed by us all. Lew devoted more than 60 years to the cause of Israel and Zionism.

Philadelphia ZOA recruited counter-demonstra- ZOA leaders and members have been well rep- tors, made signs and leaflets, and got out on the resented in the media, including on talk-radio street before our adversaries. We had three times and in letters to the editor and online articles and more people than did the anti-Israel group, and analyses. after about a half-hour they gave up and left. At our Gala in September 2016, we will honor The Democratic National Convention (DNC) the following outstanding individuals. Author took place in Philadelphia, and there were a and National Review contributing editor An- number of Israel-related official and unofficial drew C. McCarthy will receive our Ben Hecht events in the city, including some that were Award for Outstanding Journalism. Congress- anti-Israel and/or featured anti-Israel speakers. man Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks County) will One demonstration included the burning of an receive our Friend of Zion Award. Amy Clay- Israeli flag in the middle of a Philadelphia street. man, president of the Jewish Community Re- Greater Philadelphia ZOA leaders attended sev- lations Council of Southern New Jersey, and eral of the events—in some cases, to network her husband, Eric Clayman, past president of with DNC attendees; in other cases, to challenge Congregation Beth El in Voorhees, NJ, will be speakers, if need be; and in others, to witness receiving our Pillars of the Community Award. and document what was transpiring. Rabbi Steven Saks, of Congregation Adas Ko- Greater Philadelphia ZOA was represented by desch Shel Emeth in Wilmington, DE, will be more than 60 people at ZOA’s Pro-Israel Mission honored with our Guardian of Israel Award. to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. last May. Greater Philadelphia ZOA mourns the pass- Over the past few months, Greater Philadelphia ing of our beloved board member, Honorary

At “An Evening with Ryan Bellerose” (from left), Executive Director Steve Feldman, Board Chairman Gene Shusman, Bellerose, and Co-President Kevin Ross

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“An Evening with Ryan Bellerose” featured the social-media sensation from Canada, who is an

indigenous- Speaker Melanie Phillips, ZOA National President Morton A. Klein, Philadelphia ZOA Co-President Lee Bender, rights activ- Cong. Beth Or member William Wanger

ist deeply National President and former President of and with support from the city of Pittsburgh. the Mid-Atlantic Region Lewis B. Dashe (Da- It focuses on the events of the Holocaust to engaged in shevsky). Lew, who was 96 when he died, devot- teach young people, during their most impres- promoting ed more than 60 years to the cause of Israel and sionable years, about the horrific consequences Zionism, and was a dedicated ZOA member and of hatred. It concentrates on examples of man’s the Jewish leader. As recently as a week before he died, Lew inhumanity to man, teaching students to reject was interested in Israel and the goings-on within intolerance and those who foment it, and teach- people as the ZOA. His wisdom and intellect, friendship, and ing understanding and respect of those whose passionate Zionism will be missed by us all. beliefs may differ from their own. indigenous Our newly designed Web site is up. Find us The Tolerance Education Program comple- people at www.philly.zoa.org. Among the features is ments the curriculum provided by the Pitts- a regularly alternating survey/poll/quiz. Many burgh Public Schools. Various elements of of the land thanks to the folks at Mac Help NYC. previous ZOA programs now are part of the school curriculum, used to teach the Holocaust. of Israel. Although the students learn about the Holo- PITTSBURGH caust in their formal studies, what they hear in class generally is treated as just another histori- TEACHING TOLERANCE cal event that soon fades from their memories. IN LOCAL SCHOOLS VIA But when they go through the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM)—where they THE HOLOCAUST see the actual consequences of religious, eth- The ZOA Pittsburgh chapter is dedicated to nic, and racial hatred in videos, still photos, and helping eradicate religious, ethnic, and racial static exhibits—most students are left with an intolerance. We began 2016 by gearing up for indelible realization of the dangers of bigotry. our annual ZOA Tolerance Education Program, The program was created by the late Dr. Zalman which was instituted to combat hatred. The Shapiro who was a long-time, highly respected Tolerance Education Program is carried out in member of the ZOA’s National Board and presi- cooperation with the Pittsburgh Public Schools dent of the ZOA’s Pittsburgh chapter.

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“I love being a Jew. I look forward to this incredible opportunity to be in Israel and know that, upon my return, I will be even more affected by the words of Hatikvah and more committed to Zionism and Nathan Firestone lectured on America, Israel Izzet Bahar discussed Turkish Jews in Israel, and the 2016 Election France during World War II my love for Israel.”

Over a two week period, 11 buses carry- to offer.” ing over 500 students, made their way to the “Seeing the many shoes. Piles of them. Each USHMM in Washington, D.C. En route to the being owned and worn by people. Each pair museum, students watch educational videos holding a story. It made me see just how many about the Holocaust and Israel. They complete people were killed.” a survey about their knowledge, both before and after the museum visit, charting changes in .'%674'521.+6+%5 their attitude and whether they see themselves TURKISH JEWS, AND as standing up against injustice. Later, students participate in an essay contest describing the ef- PRESBYTERIANS fects the museum visit had on them. Nominal Each summer, ZOA Pittsburgh sponsors lectures, monetary prizes are awarded. and this year was no different. The first lecture was Here are just a few quotes from student surveys: by Pittsburgh ZOA member Nathan Firestone, “Seeing the condition of the Jews really made who earned a master’s degree in Public and Inter- me sad. The most painful thing which I saw was national Affairs and a law degree from the Univer- putting them in the gas chambers and burning sity of Pittsburgh. A professor of political science their bodies. Even the kids were included in the at Point Park University and adjunct professor at gas chambers.” the University of Pittsburgh, Professor Firestone “The stories about specific families and indi- has specialized in American foreign policy and has viduals who were hurt during the Holocaust. lectured extensively on Middle East politics. He is It really hits home how these were real people also a senior magisterial district judge. with lives just like me and you, and it gives you In his talk, “America, Israel, and the 2016 a deeper sense of remembrance for these people.” Election,” Firestone discussed the strengths and “The non-Jews who risked their lives to help weaknesses of the candidates and the oddities ZOA Israel scholarship others. We have to help others or we become op- of this year’s elections, comparing them with recipients pressed.” elections of the 20th century. Firestone also sur- Avigdor Felder, “Learning about the Holocaust has honestly mised what effect the 2016 election might have Tanya Markel, and made me appreciate others, and what they have on the relationship between the U.S. and Israel. Ariel Schwartz

47 ZOA AROUND THE COUNTRY

In 2010, The next lecture, “Turkish Jews in France ZOA Pittsburgh has long Executive During World War II and the Curious Behav- ior of the U.S. Ambassador in Turkey,” was believed that a trip to Director presented by Dr. Israel Izzet Bahar. Dr. Bahar Pavilack led completed his M.A. and Ph.D. in Jewish Studies Israel by Jewish students Pittsburgh’s at the University of Pittsburgh. He is the author of “Turkey and the Rescue of European Jews helps them to feel the Ministers (2015).” Prior to coming to the U.S., Dr. Bahar Delegation to earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electri- history of the Jewish cal/electronic engineering is Ankara, Turkey. Israel; Pittsburgh Executive Director Stuart Pavilack people and to cement their 10 Christian participated in the adult education program of clergy members Congregation Beth El of the South Hills, where Jewish identity. To that he delivered a lecture on the Presbyterian Church took part. USA (PCUSA) and its animosity toward Israel. end, the ZOA Israel Pavilack has Since 2010, Pavilack has been involved in dia- logues with leaders of the Pittsburgh Jewish com- remained in munity and clergy from the Pittsburgh Presby (see Scholarship Committee contact with a below). It has been a long and difficult process, one which has lost ground after some early progress. was established. Since its number of them His presentation included a history of one arm and grew very of the church, the Israel Palestine Mission Net- inception in 1962, hundreds close with work (IPMN). Founded in 2004, the IPMN is heavily influenced by Palestinian Christian clergy of Pittsburgh Jewish high- Reverend Ted who believe in revisionist theory (i.e., it is the Martin of Palestinians whose exodus from Egypt is celebrat- school students have ed at Passover). IPMN is affiliated with the anti- Hampton Israel, anti-Semitic Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation received ZOA scholarships. Presbyterian Theology Center in Jerusalem. Many of these Church… clergy members have been deeply involved in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) move- To increase the ment since the group’s inception. The IPMN ZOA Pittsburgh is pleased to announce the Middle East I.Q. appears to promote its own agenda to the mem- Israel scholarship recipients for 2016. Avigdor bership of PCUSA. The lecture was very well at- Felder, Tanya Markel, and Ariel Schwartz have of average tended, and audience members engaged Pavilack each been awarded a $1,000 scholarship. church during a Q and A session that followed his lecture. Avigdor wrote in his essay: “The Torah tells us about Jews in Israel, but the Jewish connection members, who ZOA ISRAEL to Israel doesn’t end with ancient history. Jews may lack SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM traveled to Israel to establish a modern home- exposure to the land. Jews have sacrificed for Israel and seen ZOA Pittsburgh has long believed that a trip to countless miracles occur.” Avigdor attended the conflict, the two Israel by Jewish students helps them to feel the NCSY Kollel Camp. men created history of the Jewish people and cement their Tanya, who attended Camp YT&T (Yester- Jewish identity. To that end, the ZOA Israel day, Today & Tomorrow), wrote in her essay, a program Scholarship Committee was established. Since “The state of Israel, for me, is a symbol of hope. entitled its inception in 1962, hundreds of Pittsburgh It symbolizes the Jews as a nation, a race, and A Middle East Jewish high-school students have received ZOA a religion, all at the same time.” scholarships. The program is funded by endow- Ariel traveled to Israel as part of the Emma Discussion. ments created by ZOA members. Kaufmann Counselor-in-Training program.

48 ZOA AROUND THE COUNTRY

Erez with University students

He wrote, “I love being a Jew. I look forward to standing of these topics, but more work needs to this incredible opportunity to be in Israel and be done. Pavilack and Martin hope to schedule know that, upon my return, I will be even more another presentation in the fall. affected by the words of Hatikvah and more Grace Baptist Church offered its biennial committed to Zionism and my love for Israel.” event, “A Night to Honor Israel.” In addition to an educational component about Israel, the A MIDDLE EAST evening raises funds for an Israeli charity. Two DISCUSSION years ago, it was the Lone Soldier Program. This year, the church aimed to purchase an ambu- WITH CLERGY lance for Israel. Pavilack served on a commit- In 2010, Executive Director Pavilack led Pitts- tee that helped direct and coordinate fundrais- burgh’s Ministers Delegation to Israel; 10 Chris- ing with the American Friends of Magen David tian clergy members took part. Pavilack has Adom. The evening was incredible. The church remained in contact with a number of them was filled with members waving Israeli flags and and grew very close with Reverend Ted Martin expressing their support for Israel. The church of Hampton Presbyterian Church. Reverend raised $12,000 that night and are well on their Martin was embarrassed by the PCUSA after way to reaching their goal. its 2014 General Assembly passed anti-Israel resolutions. To increase the Middle East I.Q. of average church members, who may lack infor- DETROIT mation about the conflict, the two men created a program entitled “A Middle East Discussion.” PROTECTING PRO-ISRAEL Martin discussed the history of the Church’s STUDENTS ON CAMPUS involvement in sending missionaries to the Middle East and scripture relevant to Presby- The Zionist Organization of America was the terians, while Pavilack discussed such topics as only organization to object to the unfair treat- occupation, settlements, and borders. Pittsburgh ment and targeting of University of Michigan Board Member Hirsh Dlinn assisted Pavilack in student Jesse Arm, who faced an ethics inves- the discussion. Attendees gained a better under- tigation after he respectfully confronted anti-

49 ZOA AROUND THE COUNTRY

“The main thing I learned is that there can’t be any discussions of peace as long as the Palestinians teach their kids to kill Jews. If you want to look at the aspiration of a nation, look at what they teach their kids. Their aspiration is to destroy the Jewish state, not to make peace.”—Daniel Talmid

Israel demonstrators on campus. Arm, who is students on campus, as well as the university’s Jewish, said that he was upset over “the taste, failure to intervene when efforts were made to timing, and appropriateness of [the demonstra- silence Jesse Arm—and, by extension, all pro- tors’] display in light of all the recent terrorism Israel students—on campus. that has befallen Western civilization over the last few weeks, particularly in Israel.” Indeed, the ISRAEL EDUCATION anti-Israel demonstration took place on Nov. 19, WORKSHOP 2015, the same day that Ezra Schwartz, a peer of Arm’s, was killed in a Palestinian Arab terror- High school students from both public and Jew- ist attack in Israel. Susan Tuchman, director of ish day schools around Metro Detroit participat- ZOA’s Center for Law and Justice, wrote to the ed in a workshop sponsored by ZOA’s Michigan University of Michigan on behalf of nine Jewish chapter, where they learned about Israel’s history, organizations, admonishing them for allowing Jewish heritage, and advocating for Israel. Par- Israel-bashers to challenge Jesse Arm’s right to ticipants in the Israel Education Workshop are free speech. The ZOA also wrote letters to the eligible to apply for scholarships that can be used media, urging community members to write to toward the cost of summer or year-long educa- the university to uphold the free speech rights tional programs in Israel. The ZOA’s Michigan of all students and to prevent the Israel-bashers chapter is happy to educate these future Jewish from squelching pro-Israel voices on campus. leaders and help support their travels to Israel. Miriam Cohen, a University of Michigan grad- uate and a young member of ZOA-Michigan’s SPEAKING IN HIGH Board of Trustees, spoke before the university’s SCHOOLS; YOUNG Board of Regents. As an alumna, Cohen ex- pressed her extreme concern with the way in ADULT KRAV MAGA which the university is responding to the intimi- ZOA-MI Director Kobi Erez spoke in several dation of Jewish and pro-Israel students on cam- schools about anti-Semitism, Israel, and the pus and the chilling of their right to free speech. media and the Israeli-Palestinian Arab conflict. Recent incidents include demonstrations ad- Both Jewish and non-Jewish students gained a vocating Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions new perspective on the conflict and the chal- (BDS) that intimidate Jewish and non-Jewish lenges that Israel is facing on a daily basis.

50 ZOA AROUND THE COUNTRY

At ZOA event, Abraham Sion explains the basis of Israel's legitimacy under international law to San Francisco high school students

As part of the effort to create a pro-Israel com- While visiting Israel, Erez gave a talk to Israeli munity in Michigan that together will form a soldiers about anti-Semitism and the efforts of stronger and more effective force and voice for ZOA and American Jewry to protect Israel and Israel, ZOA-MI held weekly Krav Maga classes its interests overseas, as well as the challenges fac- for young adults who are passionate about Israel. ing the pro-Israel community in America. DEBATING WITH J STREET AND A TALK WITH IDF WEST COAST SOLDIERS ZOA WEST COAST Erez also participated in a college debate with INTERNS PLAN A a J Street representative. Debate topics includ- ed the two-state solution and its implications CAMPUS OFFENSIVE for Israel’s security, anti-Semitism, comparing 6JGQHƂEGUQHVJG

51 ZOA AROUND THE COUNTRY

Western Region interns’ innovative projects seek to change the tactics of

pro-Israel David Meir-Levi explains the implications of dividing Jerusalem to a group in Walnut Creek, CA campus groups in order to go on the offensive Four bright college students worked through of Regents, which oversees 10 campuses and July and August to increase ZOA West Coast’s nearly 240,000 students, voted unanimously to against SJP presence on social media, draft new materials adopt a policy of Principles Against Intolerance. to arm Israel activists on college campuses, and The document includes the Regents’ strong state- and the develop programming for young professionals ment that “[a]nti-Semitism, anti-Zionism, and corrupt in the Bay Area. The summer interns focused other forms of discrimination have no place at their projects on targeting the Palestinian Au- the University of California.” The Regents called Palestinian thority (PA) for the embezzlement and misap- on University of California leaders “actively to propriation of foreign aid, and the systematic challenge anti-Semitism and other forms of dis- Arab factions indoctrination of Palestinian Arab youth to hate crimination when and wherever they emerge they support. Israel and Jews. The innovative projects seek to within the University community.” change the tactics of pro-Israel groups on college The ZOA worked closely with regional part- campuses in order to go on the offensive against ners to lobby the UC Regents to identify the an- Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and the ti-Semitism and Israel-bashing that Jewish and corrupt Palestinian Arab factions they support. pro-Israel students have been facing and to take action against the perpetrators. The Western 7%4')'065 Region chapter collaborated with ZOA’s Cen- ANTI-SEMITISM, ter for Law and Justice to develop statements and provide information to the UC Regents, ANTI-ZIONISM in addition to working with ZOA Campus to HAVE NO PLACE identify specific incidents of harassment and ON UC CAMPUSES discrimination. The ZOA West Coast chapter, along with our The lobbying effort lasted over a year and partners, achieved a major victory in the fight to was bitterly contested by the anti-Semitic hate combat anti-Semitism on America’s college cam- groups Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and SJP. puses. The University of California (UC) Board These groups argued against any statement from

52 ZOA AROUND THE COUNTRY

The UC Board of Regents voted unanimously to adopt a policy of Principles Against Intolerance that includes the Regents’ strong statement that “[a]nti-Semitism, anti-Zionism, and other forms of discrimination have no place at the

ZOA West Coast and allies testify at meeting of UC Board of Regents, University of California.” who acknowledged that anti-Zionism is a form of discrimination

the Regents which would condemn or in any way inhibit their anti-Israel activities and rheto- EMPOWERING JEWISH ric—even though their actions were creating YOUTH THROUGH a hostile learning environment for many Jewish KRAV MAGA and pro-Israel students. JVP and SJP cited the Continuing the theme of empowering pro- free speech protections under the First Amend- Israel youth in 2016, West Coast Executive ment of the U.S. Constitution, claiming that Director David Kadosh led courses in Krav a Regents statement condemning their vicious Maga (a Jewish self-defense style) for 10 student anti-Israel rhetoric and identifying it as anti- groups throughout the region. The program, Semitic would squelch their rights to criticize which highlights Zionism’s focus on the impor- Israel and advocate on Palestinian Arab issues. tance of Jewish self-defense, was introduced at Despite the tremendous backlash against our Cal State Northridge, Cal State Fullerton, San efforts, the UC Regents did finally recognize Jose State, UC Santa Cruz, Western Washing- that anti-Zionism—specifically, the denial ton University, Loyola Marymount, the Club of Jewish rights to self-determination and to Z retreat for Bay Area high-school students, the a state in the historic Jewish homeland—is Chabad West Coast Shabbaton, and the annual anti-Semitic. The Regents also made it clear San Diego Israel advocacy retreat (comprised of that harassment and threats, among other student leaders from UC San Diego and San conduct, “will not be tolerated within the Uni- Diego State). Students who complete the course versity community.” leave with a practical knowledge of self-defense While ZOA and our partners have achieved tactics and learn Zionism’s role in reclaiming the a significant victory, the fight to enforce these narrative of Jewish strength. principles, and to ensure that Jewish students ZOA’s West Coast chapter also sponsored and Israel supporters are being adequately pro- a number of educational programs on campus tected from discrimination on their campuses, and for the wider community. The year opened will continue. with a Middle East update from Israeli scholar

53 ZOA AROUND THE COUNTRY

Students who Mordechai Kedar of Bar-Ilan University, who nia. At the local San Diego ZOA chapter, author explained the threats to Israel from the Sunni- Sha’i ben-Tekoa discussed his book Phantom complete the Shia sectarian fighting throughout the region, Nation, which uncovers the invention of “Pal- [Krav Maga] focusing on the Syrian civil war. Professor estinian” national identity in order to obstruct Kedar, who is fluent in Arabic, is best known for peace between Israel and her Arab neighbors. course his debates with Arab officials on the Al-Jazeera In addition, the ZOA hosted three large com- leave with news network. munity events throughout the Bay Area with best-selling author Edwin Black. Mr. Black led a a practical SPEAKERS AFFIRM talk on BDS and the European Union’s labeling knowledge of ISRAEL’S of Israeli products for the kickoff event at Cov- SOVEREIGN RIGHTS, enant Wines, a kosher winery in Berkeley. His self-defense BARE HOAXES second event was at the Rossmoor retirement tactics and community, where he exposed NGOs and pub- In February, the ZOA hosted two talks in San lic money being used to incite violence against learn Francisco by Professor Abraham Sion of Israel’s Israel, largely based on the research for his most Zionism’s Ariel University, at a community event and recent book, Financing the Flames. His last event, to a group of high-school students at the Lisa at the Palo Alto JCC, dealt with understanding role in Kampner Hebrew Academy. Sion drew on his Israel’s legitimacy under international law. reclaiming experiences as a military judge in Gaza and as chair of the Ariel University Center for Law and JERUSALEM HISTORY the Mass Media to affirm Israel’s sovereign rights in OLD AND NEW; narrative Judea and Samaria through an analysis of inter- national law. YOUNG ADULT of Jewish Following a White House leak in March that PROGRAMMING strength. President Obama was going to seek UN Security In celebration of Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Council action to force Israel’s hand in accepting Day), ZOA West Coast sponsored a talk by UC eastern Jerusalem as the future capital of a Pales- Berkeley Professor Ron Hassner at a rooftop tinian Arab state, ZOA West Coast organized a party at the San Francisco Jewish Federation, talk in Walnut Creek by Professor David Meir- overlooking the scenic Bay Bridge and Embar- Levi. He explained the centrality of Jerusalem to cadero. Professor Hassner walked the group the Jewish people, Israel’s history in the city, and through the ancient and modern history of the the security and moral implications of dividing strong Jewish connection to Jerusalem. He also the city. Professor Meir-Levi is an author, former explained how the PA was invoking Muslim IDF soldier, professor emeritus at San Jose State importance of the Temple Mount and lying University (SJSU), and former lecturer at Stan- about alleged Israeli plans to change the status ford University. quo for Muslim worshippers in order to incite At the end of March, ZOA West Coast facili- Palestinian Arabs to riot and murder Jews (aka tated speaking events featuring Aryeh Green, the the “Stabbing Intifada”). founder and former director of MediaCentral, a The ZOA West Coast chapter is expand- Jerusalem-based project providing support ser- ing, with plans to establish a dedicated Young vices to foreign journalists based in or visiting Professional board to engage the post-college Israel. Mr. Green spoke at the Jewish Activities young adult community with regular Zion- Center of Los Angeles (JACLA) and at a politi- ist programming. Events on campus and in cal science class and the Hillel at SJSU, where the community are being scheduled for fall he discussed the mainstream media’s misrepre- 2016. ZOA will continue to set an example of sentation of Israel and efforts to delegitimize the principled Zionist leadership and will fight to Jewish state. defend the rights of Israel supporters through- In April, ZOA West Coast organized four out the region. To quote the book of Tehillim, speaking events for authors throughout Califor- the ZOA leads “from strength to strength.”

54 In Memoriam

Dr. Irving Moskowitz

Dr. Zalman Shapiro Lew Dashe

Irving had personal relationships with many &4+48+0)/15-19+6< of Israel’s leading figures. When he introduced ZIONIST ACTIVIST AND Morton Klein to Benjamin Netanyahu— PHILANTHROPIC GIANT ZOA’s keynote speaker at the 1994 Gala, where An extraordinary friend of the ZOA, Dr. Irving Irving received ZOA’s prestigious Louis Moskowitz was—and his loving, wonderful Brandeis Award—Netanyahu said: “You know, wife, Cherna, continues to be—among the Irving is one of my favorite people.” Klein notes greatest Jewish patriots of our generation. that he had to beg Irving to accept this honor. His extraordinary accomplishments include Klein adds: “Irving was brilliant. He was DR. IRVING MOSKOWITZ helping to save eastern Jerusalem (the real and a great medical doctor as well as a great business- biblical Jerusalem) for the Jewish people and man. But the only thing Irving ever talked to “I’ve never met working relentlessly to save the Jewish heartland me about, besides Israel, was baseball. He was anyone with of Judea and Samaria for its original and con- a star center fielder for his high-school team, and such genuine tinuous inhabitants, the Jewish people. he proudly showed me newspaper clippings passion for Eretz Less well-known is the fact that Irving and stating that Moskowitz could run like the wind Yisrael as Irving Cherna Moskowitz saved the ZOA from closing and was a great power hitter.” One article went Moskowitz. He its doors. In 1994, after Morton Klein became on to predict that “he could well be the next wanted nothing the ZOA’s 30th president, Klein learned that Joe DiMaggio.” He was offered a minor league from his work ZOA had a mere $3,000 in its coffers. We were contract but instead chose to enter University and ready to close our doors, until Irving made a sub- of Wisconsin Medical School. stantial gift to insure ZOA’s survival for that year. Irving’s loss is immeasurable. Few have philanthropy Without Irving’s generosity, ZOA may well have accomplished for the Jewish people what but to see the been forced to end its then 96-year existence. Dr. Moskowitz accomplished. This soft-spoken, Jewish Irving was a dear friend to ZOA President modest giant will never be forgotten. Cherna, homeland and Morton Klein. “We spoke several times a week. his talented and committed wife, has continued the Jewish I’ve never met anyone with such genuine passion his sacred work. people survive for Eretz Yisrael as Irving Moskowitz, and it was May the memory of these generous and and flourish.” a love that was pure,” Klein said. “He wanted dedicated Zionist activists and Israel advocates – ZOA President nothing from his work and philanthropy but to be a blessing. May the Jewish people be com- Morton A. Klein see the Jewish homeland and the Jewish people forted among the mourners of Zion and survive and flourish.” Jerusalem.

55 IN MEMORIAM

patents, including a 2009 patent on a process DR. ZALMAN SHAPIRO: to make less expensively the commercial pro- ZIONIST ACTIVIST AND duction of diamonds, and he played a key role ZOA LEADER in the development of the reactor that powered Words from Dr. Michael Goldblatt, Chairman, the world’s first nuclear powered submarine, the and Morton A. Klein, President: Nautilus. He worked for Westinghouse Electric The Zionist Organization of America mourns and worked on developing the fuel for the first the passing of Dr. Zalman Mordecai Shapiro, commercial nuclear power plant. He founded DR. ZALMAN SHAPIRO a ZOA leader and major Zionist activist. Dr. Nuclear Materials & Equipment Corp. to devel- Shapiro was a most revered, respected, and dis- op improved methods of processing nuclear fuel. ZOA President tinguished member of the ZOA National Board Zalman enjoyed close relationships with many Morton A. Klein and one of its longest serving members. He held of Israel’s high government officials. Some have said, “Zalman many important posts at the ZOA, including credited him with helping Israel in its develop- was one of the president of ZOA’s Pittsburgh chapter—one of ment of nuclear weapons; others, with helping strongest and ZOA’s most active and important chapters— to protect Israel’s water supply. most commit- which he played a major role in saving and re- ZOA President Morton A. Klein said, “Zalman ted activists for viving after it experienced difficulties. was one of the strongest and most committed Israel I’ve ever On several occasions Zalman was asked to be activists for Israel I’ve ever known. And when he known. And national president but declined. In 2008, he and set his mind to a pro-Israel or pro-ZOA proj- when he set his his wife, Evelyn, were honored by the ZOA for ect, he fought like a tiger to see it through—and mind to a pro- their “extraordinary contributions to Israel, the see it through he did. Zalman was a focused and Jewish community, and ZOA for over 60 years.” tireless Zionist and ZOA leader. His brilliance, Israel or pro- Dr. Shapiro was a relentless pro-Israel nation- passion, and clarity of vision on behalf of his ZOA project, alist, who correctly predicted that the Oslo and beloved Israel will be sorely missed.” he fought like Gaza agreements would lead to disaster. He Dr. Shapiro was married to Evelyn Greenberg a tiger to see it worked fervently against these mistaken policies. Shapiro and had three children, Joshua, Ezra, through—and A physical chemist and inventor, Dr. Shap- and Deborah. see it through iro received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees May his family be comforted among the he did.” from Johns Hopkins University. He held 15 mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

56 IN MEMORIAM

chairman. He was past president of the Philadel- LEW DASHE: phia branch of the American Zionist Movement; ONE OF ZOA’S LONGEST a board member of the Jewish Community Re- SERVING AND MOST lations Council of Greater Philadelphia; and DISTINGUISHED LEADERS served on the National and Overseas Allocation Lewis B. Dashevsky (aka Dashe), 96, of Phila- Committee, forerunner of the Jewish Federation delphia, honorary ZOA national president, a of Greater Philadelphia. He also was active with TGVKTGF %GTVKƂGF 2WDNKE #EEQWPVCPV CPF HQT- the Wallenberg Committee and the Coordinat- mer owner of Lewis B. Dashe & Co., passed ing Committee on Vital Jewish Issues. LEW DASHE away in June. Mr. Dashevsky was an accountant Mr. Dashevsky was a graduate of Temple Uni- and management consultant before starting his versity and took classes at the University of Penn- Most of own business. He retired in 1981 to devote his sylvania. During World War II, he worked in the Mr. Dashevsky’s life to his true passions: Israel, Zionism, and the inspection division of the naval aircraft factory pro-Israel welfare of the Jewish people. at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and was an advocacy Mr. Dashevsky first went to Israel in 1955, instructor at its aviation inspection school. In activities took when he was engaged by the accounting firm 1944, he attended the Army finance school at place under the Kesselman & Kesselman for a special manage- Fort Harrison in Indiana. After his 1955 stint in auspices of the ment-consulting assignment and system instal- Israel, he began his own firm, which was located lations in the Jewish State, a mere seven years in the Western Savings Bank Building. Mr. Da- ZOA. He served after it was re-established. He lived in Israel for shevsky was a longtime member of the Pennsyl- as a board five months as part of that assignment and sub- vania Institute of Certified Public Accountants member of the sequently visited more than 30 times. and retained his membership for decades after National ZOA Most of Mr. Dashevsky’s pro-Israel advocacy retiring from active practice. and Greater activities took place under the auspices of the A man of many talents, hobbies, and interests, Philadelphia ZOA. He served as a board member of the Na- in 1944 and ’45, he copyrighted 21 original ZOA, and was tional ZOA and Greater Philadelphia ZOA, and songs. In 1947, he wrote and copyrighted a mu- president of was president of ZOA’s Mid-Atlantic Region for sical with 27 songs, called “Things Was Made ZOA’s more than 20 years. He also served on ZOA’s That Way (in the Key of Black).” He also played Mid-Atlantic National Executive Committee and National guitar and studied at the Barnes Foundation. Region for more Administrative Board. An avid coin collector and stamp collector, he than 20 years. Greater Philadelphia ZOA presented him with received the 50-year medal from the American its Meritorious Service Medal at the organiza- Numismatic Society. tion’s 2012 Gala. Mr. Dashevsky was a longtime member of the Mr. Dashevsky was a founder of a group Congregations of Shaare Shamayim. known as ACT FAST (Action Committee To Born on Sept 5, 1919, to Michael and Jennie Fight Anti-Semitism Today), which was active Dashevsky, Lew was predeceased by his wife, the in the 1970s and ’80s. He was instrumental in former Gloria Alexenberg. He is survived by his the formation of the Jordan is Palestine Com- daughter, Dr. Jodi Dashe (Gad Ifrah); a grand- mittee, an organization that included delegates son, Jacob Ifrah; and many nieces and nephews from five nations, and served as its mid-Atlantic and great-nieces and nephews.

57 IT’S ZOA’S 120TH ANNIVERSARY--- CELEBRATE WITH US!

Founded 1897

ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA

PURIM MISSION TO ISRAEL

MEET IDF SOLDIERS JUDEA, SAMARIA, SDEROT You will never forget the experience Meet the Jewish pioneers living in of meeting and personally thanking the biblical cities of Gush Etzion, the heroes of the IDF. Judea, and Samaria, and visit Sderot and the Gaza border.

ORIGINAL TABERNACLE BEHIND THE SCENES Experience Judea and Samaria’s Meet with key cabinet ministers and finest boutique wineries, ancient members of Knesset. Shiloh’s new visitor center and site of the original 3000-year-old UNPACK ONCE IN JERUSALEM Tabernacle, and Ariel, the largest Home base is Jerusalem’s centrally city in Samaria. located Dan Panorama Hotel.

March 5--14, 2017 FOR MORE INFO: 212-481-1500 http://zoa.org/zoa-israel-mission-2017/ ZOA PURIM MISSION 2017

Experience Purim in Jerusalem. Enjoy the special and holy atmosphere of Shabbat in Jerusalem, and welcome Shabbat at the Western Wall (Kotel).

Bring the joy of Purim to Israeli soldiers. Personally deliver thousands of Purim gift packages (Mishloach Manot) and thank-you letters from students in the U.S.

Visit the Me’arat Hamachpela, the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs in Hebron, Israel’s first capital and meet the extraordinary Jews living there.

Meet the residents of the newest Jewish neighborhoods in eastern Jerusalem, and understand the challenges they face.

Visit the Mount of Olives, the oldest and largest Jewish cemetery, and see why it’s critical to Israeli sovereignty in eastern Jerusalem.

Visit Oz V’Gaon, the new park established in Gush Etzion dedicated to the memory of the kidnapped boys, Gilad, Ayal and Naftali (Z’’L).

FOR MORE INFO: 212-481-1500 Founded 1897 http://zoa.org/zoa-israel-mission-2017/ ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA 59 Founded 1897

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Dear Mort, Enclosed please find my tax-deductible contribution in support of the ZOA’s vital work.

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