By Gail Axelrod

Students across the southeast will be celebrating Israel in the coming weeks with various on-campus festivals.

Emory Students for Israel, led by senior Sarah Green, will be hosting its annual “iFest” on Thursday April 14 in Asbury Circle. The all-day event, featuring famous Israeli icons, will include several campus clubs and organizations. Dawgs for Israel at the University of Georgia, led by Daniel Matatiaho and Meredith Broudy, will also be hosting “Israel Day” on April 13 in Tate Plaza.

Noles for Israel at Florida State University, led by Hasbara Fellow Ilana Goldenberg is hosting “Sing Your Heart Out” benefitting Save a Child's Heart on April 11. Consul General Ofer Bavly and Deputy Consul General Paul Hirschson will speak at the event.

While celebrating the vast merits of the Jewish state, students at Emory University and Florida State University are also working to quell the deligimation of Israel. After Norman Finkelstein’s latest speaking tour was slated to hit both campuses, student activist came together to produce groundbreaking petitions and legislation. Students at Emory and FSU hope to implement legislation barring hate-speech on campus.  In a decisive move, the Emory Wheel editorial board blasted Finkelstein and admonished the student group who brought the speaker to campus.  Kudos to students at Emory and FSU for your continued activism.

Shalom y’all,

Gail