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By Sandra Cohen

As pro-Israel groups in Northern California are starting up still, UC
Berkeley's Tikvah Students for Israel has already had two general meetings and hosted Professor Amos Guiora, a Law Professor at the University of Utah and an expert on Security Law, to discuss the legal implications of the Palestinian unilateral Declaration of Statehood.

Led by Hasbara Fellows Jacob Lewis and David Sverdlov, Tikvah has launched the Friend Request Pending campaign on campus. Tikvah President Jacob Lewis says, "It is important for us to show the campus that the reason that there isn't a palestinian state is because Israel doesnt have the friends it needs in the Palestinian Authority and in the region to make a true lasting peace." In regards to Berkeley's campus, he states that "it makes sense to work with organizations that are also concerned with their people's culture and history, especially in this case where the land that they come from is an important issue for them." Jacoob also authored an important op-ed which was featured in UC Berkeley's main publication, The Daily Californian.

The campaign is helping the student group in their main mission for the year: building bridges with other student organizations on campus. They used the material in tabling to the student body these past two weeks to advertise for their "Tel Aviv Nights" event, co-sponsored by Hasbara. Many group members are also using resources introduced by their experience in Israel with Hasbara Fellowships. Fellows Arielle Gabai and Nelia Barkhordar are working towards a Save a Child's Heart Fundraiser this year, as well as having a general mix of PR and educational events. Having the Friend Request Pending Campaign is another step to reaching out to the general campus body and representing our cause in a relate-able way.