O
ver winter break, we participated
in a 10-day Maccabi Task Force/
Fact Finders trip to explore
Israel and the Palestinian territories. Our
group had 24 Wayne State University
student leaders (five Jewish students and
19 non-Jewish campus leaders).
In Jerusalem, we visited the Jewish,
Christian and Muslim quarters of the
Old City. Other highlights included visits
to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the
Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, the
Israeli settlement of Ma’
ale Adumim and
Netiv Haasara, a small Israeli village near
the northern border of Gaza.
After each day of exploration, we
heard from an expert, each with a differ-
ent niche and narrative about the Israeli-
Palestinian conflict. They included social
historian Paul Liptz, who gave insight on
modern Israeli issues; Arab news anchor
Farat Nassar, a living example of what
Israeli-Arab integration looks like; and
Middle East Studies doctoral student
Iftah Burman, who listed important
milestones in the Israel-Palestinian con-
flict.
The most important things we learned
are that this conflict and these people are
more complicated than the media shows
and that we must stay vigilant as we
address this on campus.
While much of the trip was spent ana-
lyzing the facts of the stories, the bonds
we formed with the other students were
incredible. Several shared their thoughts:
• I used to be pro-Palestine, but after
this trip, I was able, in my best ability, to
see both perspectives and blame no one
side.
• I enjoy processing sessions and I like
listening to other students’
perspectives
… after visiting and seeing everything as
it is, I am able to explain to my family,
friends and community.
• I now understand the tough position
of existential terror Israel is in due to
witnessing it firsthand.
• All of the assumptions and expecta-
tions I had were changed.
In January, we got together for a
Shabbat dinner to discuss the trip and
plan how to share our new knowledge
with the campus community.
At dinner, WSU Dean of Students
David Strauss said, “Listening to the stu-
dents talk about their trip was one of the
most moving experiences I’
ve had in my
18 years at Wayne State. I am so proud of
them. The way these students embodied
our university mission of diversity and
inclusion and are striving to positively
impact local and global communities was
both rewarding and heartwarming.” @
Amy Benson of West Bloomfield is a Wayne State
junior and serves as outreach and engagement
coordinator for Students for Israel. WSU junior
Alexander McInnis of Swartz Creek is a member of
AEPi. Both are part of Hillel of Metro Detroit.
Amy Benson and Alexander McInnis } jewish@edu writer
A group of 24 Wayne State University student
leaders spent 10 days learning firsthand about the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
COURTESY OF HILLEL OF METRO DETROIT
for college students by college students
February 20, 2020/25 Shevat 5780
Amy Benson and Alexander McInnis } jewish@edu writer
Gaining Understanding
HMD/WSU trip gives students insight into Israel-Palestinian confl
ict.
FEBRUARY 20 • 2020 | 47