Liberty stands with Israel
Shalom — Liberty students were encouraged to support Israel during a special emphasis week.
This semester marked a significant point in Liberty University’s political history.
March 30 through April 2, hosted the first Israel Emphasis Week on Liberty’s campus.
The week boasted prominent speakers from a variety of backgrounds with vested interest in promoting support for the nation of Israel and was hosted by Liberty’s Stand with Israel Club (SWI).
According to SWI president, Joel Krautter, the purpose of the week was “to educate students more on events regarding Israel and correct misinformation about Israel.”
After the positive response this week has brought, club members hope to continue Israel Emphasis week in the future.
“I hope it is the beginning of a great tradition here at Liberty,” Krautter said.
Wednesday’s Convocation kicked off the week with a message from National Chairman of Christians United for Israel, pastor of Cornerstone Church and author John Hagee.
Hagee encouraged students to support Israel and remember it is the “apple of God’s eye.”
“If America turns its back on Israel God will turn his back on America,” Hagee said.
The next three days featured a series of speakers from Dr. J. Randall Price of Liberty University Center for Judaic Studies, who spoke on Israel’s history to Jonathan Kessler who talked about the anti-Semitism movement on college campuses around the nation.
Sean Langille graduated from Liberty in 2008, but was a member of SWI in its early years.
“I saw the infancy of the club, and it is nice to see this finally happen,” Langille said.
A showing of the movie “Crossing the Line: The Intifada Comes to Campus,” a film about the new face of anti-Semitism that is infiltrating the opinions and values of American students, was given on Friday. The events culminated in a Night to Honor Israel Gala hosted in the Schilling Center from eight to 10 p.m.
The gala cost $5 a person and was sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA.)
Almost 200 gathered to hear speeches from Zach Howell, National Chairman of the College Republican National Committee, founder of the Olive Tree Foundation Dr. Tony Crisp, Dean of the Helms School of Government Dr. Shawn D. Akers, and Israeli native and founder of ZAKA, an organization created to clean up bodies after disasters and terrorist attacks, Yisroel Stefansky.
At the close of the evening, attendees were encouraged to sign a Proclamation to Support Israel.
SWI’s president for next fall, Sarah Spillar hopes Liberty will set an example for other college campuses to likewise stand behind the people of Israel.
“We need to motivate our fellow students,” Spillar said. “We believe Israel has a right to their land and a right to defend its people.”
Music for the gala was provided by the Liberty Jazz Ensemble and desserts were provided by Flavours Catering.