The small country of Israel only measures around 8,000 square miles, but one student organization is committed to supporting Israeli-American Relations.
The group plans to increase support for U.S. – Israeli ties at the University, said Shawn Hanscom, a political science sophomore and the president of Tigers for Israel.
Hanscom is also very active in other political organizations around campus such as the College Republican Alliance.
Tigers for Israel is one of the newest student organizations on campus. With roughly 15 members and many other supporters around campus, the group has quickly grown since it’s founding in April 2003, Hanscom said.
Hanscom said that a national organization, the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee, has been fostering new student organizations such as Tigers for Israel on college campuses around the country.
“They approached a group of us to start a pro-Israeli group on campus,” Hanscom said. “On this campus, it’s not as noticeable, but on other college campuses around the country they have anti-Israeli and even anti-Semitic groups.”
Hanscom said on some campuses such as the University of California-Berkley and Rutgers University, there have been anti-Israeli conferences and rallies.
“There are some people who believe Israel should not exist and that the U.S. should even sever ties with Israel,” Hanscom said.
Hanscom said the student organization counteracts anti-Israelis as well as anti-Semites.
“We think the U.S. has a strong relationship with Israel,” Hanscom said. “We have been Israel’s best friend in the world for years.”
Julie Mykoff, a pre-med freshman who went to Baton Rouge high school with Hanscom, enjos being a part of the group. “A lot of students on campus are scared to get involved with political discussions,” Mykoff said. “I like to get involved politically and with organizations like this.”
Mykoff, who is Jewish, said the Jewish community on campus supports Tigers for Israel because it is the only Jewish state.
“Right now, our organization is about half Jewish,” Hanscom said.
Hanscom said Tigers for Israel has both local and international initiatives for the fall semester.
“We are collecting signatures on a petition stating that the U.S. should keep strong ties with Israel,” said Hanscom, who also hopes to foster more support for Israel in the community with the petition.
Registering pro-Israeli students to vote is the other main goal for the organization this semester, Hanscom said.
The organization’s first main event was Oct. 22, when Jonathan Alderman, a mentor and former advisor to National Security Advisor Condaleeza Rice addressed the organization on the importance of supporting Israel.
“Who can we trust in the Middle East these days,” Alderman said. “We need allies in the Middle East to share our values. Israelis are a great help to us.”
Of the seven terrorist states in the world cited by the Department of Defense, five are in the Middle East.
“We need a strong ally we can rely on to give us a base, military support, anything we need,” Alderman said. “Israel has the No. 3 biotech business in the world today, and that could save all of our lives.”
Alderman was adamant in support for the U.S. – Israeli relationship.
“We’re talking about values, about geography, but mostly a shared vision to where we are going,” Alderman said.
Students interested in joining Tigers for Israel or just want information can contact the organization at [email protected].