80 Students | 10 Days | 1 Goal: Take Action for Israel
- Israel Ambassadors
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
In late December 2025, 80 student leaders from universities across the United States and Canada came together for a powerful mission to Israel — one of the largest student solidarity trips of the year. The delegation included voices from UCLA, Brandeis, Rutgers, NYU, UPenn, Yale, York University and more, united by a shared mission: to return to campus better equipped to challenge rising antisemitism and misinformation.
Facing Campus Challenges Head-On
Across North America, Jewish and pro-Israel students continue to face increased hostility and isolation in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks. Many campuses have become battlegrounds for conflicting narratives, leaving student leaders searching for clarity, confidence, and credible tools.
This mission — which was sposored by Hasbara Fellowships in partnership with IsraelAmbassadors.com — was designed not as a symbolic visit, but as an immersive leadership experience. Students gained firsthand exposure to the realities of post-Oct. 7 Israel, learned how to confront antisemitism effectively, and practiced how to bring informed, nuanced advocacy back to their campuses.
As one participant reflected on the personal impact of the experience:
“This trip gave me the confidence and tools needed to stand up for Israel. Before coming, I avoided conversations because I didn’t feel prepared. Now I feel empowered not only to respond, but to proactively start those conversations on campus.”
Insights from Jerusalem and Beyond
The delegation was welcomed in Jerusalem by Mark Regev, former Israeli ambassador to the United Kingdom and chairman of the Abba Eban Institute, who reminded students that standing for the Jewish state is a responsibility rooted in truth and resilience.
Throughout the trip, participants met with Israeli officials, journalists, military personnel, educators, and community leaders. They visited sites directly affected by the Oct. 7 attacks — including Kibbutz Be’eri, Sderot, and the Nova Festival grounds — transforming distant headlines into deeply human encounters.
One student described how being physically present reshaped their understanding:
“Standing at the Nova Festival grounds transformed October 7 from a headline into something deeply personal. Being on the ground forced me to confront the human reality behind the news and return to campus with more honesty, nuance, and empathy.”
From Experience to Leadership
Beyond site visits, students engaged in intensive discussions that unpacked Israel’s history, security challenges, and political complexity. Exposure to a range of perspectives — and the opportunity to wrestle openly with difficult questions — helped participants develop both intellectual depth and emotional resilience.
For many, the sense of community formed during the trip was as impactful as the content itself:
“This trip completely opened my eyes in ways I didn’t expect. Engaging directly with speakers, staff, and fellow students helped break down complex ideas and created a tight-knit community I know I’ll carry with me for the rest of my college career.”
Bringing the Mission Back to Campus
The program concluded with strategy sessions focused on messaging, leadership, and campus engagement. Students practiced articulating complex ideas clearly, responding to misinformation, and supporting one another in often-hostile campus environments.
Organizers emphasized that the goal was not to create talking points, but to cultivate confident, informed leaders capable of advocating with credibility and empathy.
Participants returned home not as passive observers, but as witnesses — prepared to educate peers, challenge false narratives, and foster meaningful dialogue.
As campuses continue to grapple with polarization and antisemitism, these student leaders carry something invaluable back with them: firsthand experience, community, and the confidence to lead.