The long awaited meetings at the United Nations at the end of September have passed. Nevertheless the Security Council is still in the midst of deliberating and the Palestinians unilateral bid for statehood is likely to be accepted by the General Assembly. Luckily, Ohio campuses have had little or no reaction from Israel's detractors. Since there was little action from Israel's detractors, the pro-Israel student groups were able to take on more pro-active initiatives to further engage students with the pro-Israel cause. Ohio campuses, including The Ohio State University, Miami University, Ohio University, and University of Cincinnati have decided to focus their efforts on coalition building.

Many of you may ask what is coalition building and why is it important? Coalition building is a student groups effort in building strong relationships with other student organizations in order to mutually support each other in different activities on campus. For example, Ohio University's Bobcats for Israel is striving to enhance their relationship with the Greek organization of Alpha Epsilon Pi through their adoption of a new philanthropy, the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled. In March, Bobcats for Israel and AEPi will cosponsor a wheelchair basketball game fundraiser, host the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled director and participant. The general goal of the program is to fundraise money for the important Israeli organization, yet the key goal is forming a strong relationship between Bobcats for Israel and AEPi. Why? Because as Bobcats for Israel and AEPi continue to work together into the future, their relationship will become stronger, and if the unfortunate moment comes when anti-Israel activity Bobcats will know that AEPi will be a strong ally. But it is important to keep in mind that a coalition is a symbiotic relationship. Both parties benefit. Bobcats for Israel supports AEPi and AEPi supports Bobcats for Israel.

Miami University, is also working to create a strong relationship with various campus groups, mainly focusing on their relationship with their Student Government. Their hope is that by successfully establishing a strong relationship with the Student Government so that if there is ever future on-campus conflict between pro-Israel students and anti-Israel students, the student leaders of the Student Government will not take a stand against Israel. Similarly, Buckeyes for Israel at The Ohio State University is working on organizing an event that honors all campus leaders on campus to educate them on the importance of the American-Israeli alliance. The hope, like the previously mentioned is that a strong coalition and symbiotic relationship will be built and student organizations across the spectrum will support Israel when the time calls.

Coalition building is essential to the success of a strong pro-Israel student group. It allows students to educate the general student body on Israel, why Israel is important to support, and how all students can defend Israel on campus. Thanks to Hasbara Fellowships training and the Milstein Coalition Building Grant, Hasbara Fellows and pro-Israel students at different Ohio universities are working hard to build up their coalitions!