Government students discuss counterterrorism with top diplomats at Israeli Embassy

A collection of Helms School of Government classes, along with the Standing for Israel Club from Liberty University visited the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., last month, where they met with leading diplomats on how the nation of Israel prevents terror attacks.

The Israeli representatives, which included Deputy Chief of Mission Benjamin Krasna and Minister-counselor for Political Affairs Dovrat Zilberstein, welcomed the students. They spoke on the relationship between Israel and the United States and answered students’ questions on national security and counterterrorism.

“This was a fascinating trip,” said Professor of Government Scott Roenicke, who came to Liberty last year after a fruitful 30-year career at the Pentagon. “It was particularly fascinating, because of the Christian angle. There was a general understanding amongst the students that we’re talking about God’s chosen people here.”

During the presentation, students learned that Israel operates as a military with a country, not a country with a military. Within the last year, there have been 800 failed terrorist attacks against Israel.

Following the cross-functional engagement, Dean of the Helms School of Government Robert Hurt gifted Krasna a framed picture of the Israeli flag and the American flag flying in unison, with Genesis 12:3 engraved at the bottom. The gift, Roenicke said, symbolized Liberty’s support of the sovereignty, safety, and territorial integrity of the nation of Israel.

“Everyone was very engaged,” said Jackson Clark, an international relations student. “The questions were well-spoken and well thought out. I would say that the students took this trip very seriously.”

The Helms School of Government strongly believes in a hands-on approach to education, engaging its students in as many real-world experiences as possible. This year, students also had the opportunity to engage with the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Russia Embassy in November, followed by a tour of the embassy.

“When we first reached out to the Israeli Embassy, we were told that COVID was a consideration and that we wouldn’t be allowed into the embassy at all, but God totally opened each and every one of those doors to allow for a holistic education for these students to have a real-world education,” Roenicke said. “All of this is transpiring because the hand of God is at work here at Liberty University, and He’s bringing faculty, and He’s bringing the students who are going to make a difference in the world.”

“This is the reason I chose Liberty,” Clark added. “I wanted a Christian education, but I also saw the work that God was doing here in the students. … I came down here to get connected with these godly professors and to try and learn from them. And it’s been an amazing experience. … it takes all that stuff that we’re doing in the classroom, and we just apply it right away. And I think that’s invaluable because that’s real education. You’re not going to forget tomorrow or the day after.”