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Americans for Ben-Gurion University Expresses Israel Solidarity

Americans for Ben-Gurion University Expresses Israel Solidarity

July 30, 2014

Leadership, Awards & Events, Press Releases

Americans for Ben-Gurion University National President Lloyd Goldman and Vice President Wayne Woodman attended the National Leadership Assembly for Israel in Washington, D.C. on Monday, July 28, 2014 sponsored by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

national-leadership-assembly-300The Americans for Ben-Gurion University delegation joined hundreds of Jewish leaders from around the country. Featured speakers included U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice; Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer; Speaker of the House John Boehner; House Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ed Royce; House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer; and Ranking Democrat Eliot Engel, among others.

Lloyd Goldman was “encouraged by the strong bipartisan support for Israel and the speakers’ unanimous agreement that there is no moral equivalency between Hamas terrorism and Israel’s defense of its citizens.”

Speaker after speaker repeated this endorsement, with several quoting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying, “Israel uses missiles to protect its people; Hamas uses people to protect its missiles.”

Wayne Woodman recognized the importance of the event and Americans for Ben-Gurion University’s participation in it: “It was inspiring that this event was put together in only three days and that the room was filled to capacity. It is a very rare moment today to witness solidarity and unity by government officials from both sides of the aisle.”

The program demonstrated strong support for Israel and the enduring strength and vital significance of the U.S.-Israel special relationship.

Israeli Ambassador Ron Dermer said, “There is broad understanding between Israel and the United States about the principles for a sustainable cease fire, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with the United States to advance that goal and a durable solution to the problems in Gaza.

“The demilitarization of Gaza is critical if any ceasefire is to prove durable. Hamas must not be allowed to rebuild its war machine. Effective mechanisms must be put in place to ensure that cement is not used to build terror tunnels, iron is not used to manufacture rockets, and chemicals are not used to fuel explosives.” (Read his full remarks here>>)

Following the ambassador, Susan Rice began her remarks, “This is a time of worry for all who care about Israel. But, here’s one thing you never have to worry about: America’s support for the State of Israel. As President Obama declared before the Israeli people in Jerusalem: ‘so long as there is a United States of America, you are not alone.’

“Israel has the same, unequivocal right to self-defense as every other nation. No nation can accept terrorists tunneling into its territory or rockets crashing down on its people.” (Read her full remarks here>>)

Additionally, Americans for Ben-Gurion University’s regional offices around the country have co-sponsored or participated in local solidarity rallies.

ABOUT AMERICANS FOR BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY

By supporting a world-class academic institution that not only nurtures the Negev, but also shares its expertise locally and globally, Americans for Ben-Gurion University engages a community of Americans who are committed to improving the world. David Ben-Gurion envisioned that Israel’s future would be forged in the Negev. The cutting-edge research carried out at Ben-Gurion University drives that vision by sustaining a desert Silicon Valley, with the “Stanford of the Negev” at its center. The Americans for Ben-Gurion University movement supports a 21st century unifying vision for Israel by rallying around BGU’s remarkable work and role as an apolitical beacon of light in the Negev desert.

About Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev embraces the endless potential we have as individuals and as a commonality to adapt and to thrive in changing environments. Inspired by our location in the desert, we aim to discover, to create, and to develop solutions to dynamic challenges, to pose questions that have yet to be asked, and to push beyond the boundaries of the commonly accepted and possible.

We are proud to be a central force for inclusion, diversity and innovation in Israel, and we strive to extend the Negev’s potential and our entrepreneurial spirit throughout the world. For example, the multi-disciplinary School for Sustainability and Climate Change at BGU leverages over 50 years of expertise on living and thriving in the desert into scalable solutions for people everywhere.

BGU at a glance:  

20,000 students | 800 senior faculty | 3 campuses | 6 faculties: humanities & social sciences, health sciences, engineering sciences, natural sciences, business & management, and desert research.

 

For all press inquiries, please contact:

James Fattal, J Cubed Communications

516.289.1496

[email protected]