ByNaomi Firsht, Naomi Firsht
1 min read
Term has not yet begun for university students but Joseph Stoll, campus director of Israel advocacy grassroots group StandWithUs, is already organising a training conference and gearing up to counter an anti-Israel event at the London School of Economics.
For the 21-year-old master's student, who took on the role last November, combating anti-Zionist activity has become a full-time job
"We overstretch ourselves most of the time because there is so much need for Israel advocacy and campaigning," he said, adding, "and when we get approached by students we need to respond quickly."
StandWithUs (SWU) provides information and runs seminars to help students deal with anti-Israel events and boycott motions in student unions. They also invite speakers onto campus and to sixth forms.
Around 80 participants are expected to attend the group's sixth annual conference this weekend, which will feature an awards ceremony for activists.
Second-year Cambridge student Joel Collick, who is attending the conference, said he had encountered anti-Israel hostility when protestors had confronted Israeli ambassador Daniel Taub when he spoke to the Cambridge Union.
Advice from SWU had allowed Cambridge students to hold their ground in hostile situations and respond appropriately, he said.
Mr Stoll said he hoped now to focus on the positive aspects of Israel, rather than having to be continually on the defensive.
He planned to get more Israelis to give talks on campuses. He was encouraged after an invitation to Hen Mazzig - a former IDF soldier - to speak at the University of Bristol sparked dialogue between members of the Jewish and Palestinian Societies.
But he predicted a challenging year ahead. "BDS people are pushing it a lot more," he said. "I expect more attempts at boycott motions. But it's something we will be more prepared for. We can match the challenge."
