Standing Up for Israel: The Privilege of Taking Action

These past 21 months have shown us how quickly the world can turn against Israel. On campuses and in public spaces, we’ve seen people line up to excuse terror and celebrate those who murder innocents. We’ve seen rallies glorifying Hamas, the very group that brutally targets civilians while holding its own people hostage to their violent agenda. For many, it’s easier to stay silent – to keep their heads down and avoid the backlash that comes with standing up for Israel’s right to exist and defend itself.

But we don’t have that luxury. And in truth, staying silent isn’t a luxury at all – it’s a surrender. Now is the time for every Jew and every friend of Israel to step up, whether on campus or beyond. On campus, that means refusing to let anti-Israel narratives dominate the conversation. It means organizing events, educational campaigns, and open discussions that tell the truth about Israel’s history, its values, and the moral challenges it faces in defending its people. It means showing up when others try to erase or delegitimize Israel’s very existence.

Off campus, it means supporting Israel with our voices, our resources, and our feet on the ground. Visiting Israel right now isn’t just an act of solidarity – it’s a privilege. Every trip to Israel strengthens its economy, supports local businesses still reeling from tourism declines, and shows Israelis that they are not alone. Walking the streets of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and the communities near the Gaza border reminds us of what is at stake: real people, real families, and a nation that refuses to bow to terror and blackmail.

In a world where so many line up on the side of hatred and excuses for violence, it is a privilege to stand on the other side. It is a privilege to say we support life over death, freedom over tyranny, and truth over propaganda. It is a privilege to be counted among those who will not be intimidated into silence.

This coming semester and beyond, ask yourself: what am I doing to take action for Israel? Am I speaking up on campus, countering the lies with clarity and confidence? Am I planning to visit Israel, to stand with our people and show that Jewish pride and resilience remain unbreakable? Am I willing to carry the responsibility – and the privilege – of being a proud voice for Israel when it is needed most?

Because when history looks back at this moment, it won’t remember the comfort of our silence. It will remember the courage of our action.