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

