Laying down a
wreath at the grave
of Sean Carmeli, an
IDF "Lone Soldier"
from Texas
Solidarity Delegation
American Technion Society Detroit leaders
visit Israel during the height of the conflict.
I
Jackie Headapohl
Managing Editor
A
s the conflict between Israel
and Gaza escalated, American
Technion Society (ATS) Detroit
leaders Larry Jackier and Scott Leemaster
followed the news 24/7 and pledged their
support from afar — but still felt the
need to do more. Within days, the two
put together a Solidarity Delegation to
Israel with 15 Detroiters that provided an
insider's account of the current conflict.
The trip took place Aug. 10-13, during the
height of the conflict.
"We went because we felt the need
to be in Israel, to be there physically"
said Jackier, chairman of the Technion
International Board of Governors. "Israelis
were feeling isolated and alone. When
Israel is under attack from every direction
— from Hamas and the media — we need
to be present. Scott and I weren't worried
about rockets flying."
Others on the mission included Larry's
wife, Eleanor Jackier, and Ron Ferber of
West Bloomfield as well as Larry's sons
Seth and Ron. The delegation made sev-
eral stops during their four days in Israel,
the first at the Technion-Israel Institute of
Technology in Haifa, where they toured
projects to keep students safe, such as
the D. Dan and Betty Kahn Technion
34 September 18 • 2014
m
Visiting an Iron Dome battery
Protective Shield Fence, and learned what
still needs to be done to secure the cam-
pus.
About 600-700 Technion students serve
on active duty, and 350 are from towns
in Israel's south. The delegation attended
a panel moderated by Sara Katzir, direc-
tor of the Beatrice Weston Unit for the
Advancement of Students. The panel
included three students serving on active
duty and another from Israel's south who
was not called up to serve because of a
previous injury.
Katzir and her team help students
with the transitions that occur in times
of conflict. The Technion, she said, has
a high percentage of officers in Israel's
armed forces. And because officers are
not allowed to postpone or shorten their
reserve duty, abrupt transitions become
the norm.
"One day you are studying for an exam
and worrying about your average she
said. "The next day you are on the front-
line. And when the war is over, back to
studies as if you were never away"
On behalf of the students, Katzir said,
"We know that we are not alone when
we see you here and feel your support ...
Thank you for being here and for listen-
ing"
Ron Jackier was inspired by a meeting
with Gen. Amos Horev, former Technion
president and one of the fathers of the IDF.
Now 90, Horev spoke with delegates about
the media's claims of Israel using an inap-
propriate amount of force against Gaza.
"We learned that the IDF found 32 tun-
nels into Israel, each costing $3 million
and three years to build" Ron said. "In
Israel, all buildings have bomb shelters to
protect citizens, but in Gaza, only tunnels.
How is it possible they didn't build any
shelters for their citizens?"
The press coverage of Operation
Protective Edge was "turning logic on
its head" said Leemaster, ATS Detroit
Chapter president and current national
ATS president. "It was disproportionally
against Israel when Israel was only defend-
ing itself"
Ron added, "Later in the trip, I watched
while the loud speakers that announce
rocket fire were being tested. I saw a
70-year-old woman jump the first second
those speakers came on. The look on her
face told the story."
Beyond Technion
After the Technion, the group visited the
Neve David Cemetery in Haifa for a brief
memorial service at the grave of Sean
Carmeli, an IDF Lone Soldier from Texas
who was killed in the conflict.
Later that afternoon, the group toured
the Tel Aviv offices of defense company
Elbit, where they met Technion graduate
Haim Rousso, executive vice president for
engineering and technology excellence.
Next, the group stopped at Tel
Hashomer Hospital with gifts for the sol-
diers wounded in Gaza.
"We told the soldiers that they are not
only fighting for the State of Israel, but also
for the entire Jewish people. Their reaction
to our visit was incredible," Jackier said.
"We told them that there are many more
Americans who feel the same way"
During the whirlwind visit, delegates
met with high-level thought leaders and
visited an Iron Dome missile-defense
battery in Ashdod; they also met student
reservists and Israelis living under threat
of rocket fire. Many Technion grads helped
to design the Iron Dome and keep it
updated.
Lon Ben-David, an Israeli journalist,
addressed the group of Americans.
"Thank you for your help" he said.
"Without the Iron Dome, we would not be
where we are today. Iron Dome changed
the game:'
Solidarity on page 36