Sharansky launches AUJS campaign
Natan Sharansky, the executive chairman of the Jewish Agency, has launched the Australasian Union of Jewish Students’ (AUJS) I am an Israeli campaign, as part of his Australian tour.
Natan Sharansky with students at the I am Israeli launch
Sharansky spoke with students in Melbourne and Sydney about the challenges that he faced and the current issues and opportunities for world Jewry. He also emphasised the need to engage in constructive debates with those that oppose Israel.
AUJS national chairperson Nicola Kobilski said that the events and campaign launch were a resounding success.
“It was a true honour to host Mr Sharansky in both Melbourne and Sydney, learn about his story and have the chance to ask him questions about the future of world Jewry,” Ms Kobilski said.
When Mr Sharansky launched the I am an Israeli campaign he discussed the vital importance of Jewish students supporting Israel on campus.
AUJS political affairs director Matthew Lesh said that I am an Israeli has already reached over 40,000 people online and continues to grow.
“I am an Israeli is about exploring stories of individuals and displaying the consistent positive narrative of Israel’s ongoing development,” Mr Lesh said.
AUJS thanked the Jewish Agency for Israel, and the Zionist Federation of Australia, for helping organise the events.
In the meantime, AUJS has been active on campuses where anti-Israel sentiment has been rife.
AUJS material
“The message of I am an Israeli effectively responds to the myths of the Israel Apartheid Week propagandists. The project focuses on showing the reality of diversity and acceptance of difference in Israeli society,” Mr Lesh said.
Eli Shaul, NZ President of AUJS added: “This year, anti-Israel activists in New Zealand have been holding their ritual campaigns with the objective of delegitimising and demonising the State of Israel. The Australasian Union of Jewish Students aims to expose students on campus to positive facts that showcase the diversity of Israeli society. Our campaign, I AM AN ISRAELI, brings Israel into the public eye on our terms; we do not want to only be reactive to anti-Israel initiatives, we want to be proactive in our activism.”
Israel is apparently the only country in the world that has refused to give its name as a nationality to its citizens. Last year the Israeli Supreme Court rejected Israeli nationality in a ruling saying “it could undermine the Jewish character of the state”.
Refer http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/10/04/israeli-court-rejects-israeli-nationality-saying-it-could-undermine-jewish/
How honest can this “I am an Israeli” campaign be when we consider it alongside this action that was taken by the Israeli Supreme Court ?