Thoughts on Israel, Divestment and Advocacy: An Interview with Avi Posnick of StandWithUs

November 16, 2010

Avi Posnick, East Coast Regional Director of the Israel Advocacy group StandWithUs recently took some time to answer a few questions from the New Vilna Review via email. In this interview Mr. Posnick discusses the work of the organization on college campuses and within communities across the country. 

NVR: For our readers who may not be familiar with StandWithUs, can you give us a brief overview of how and why the organization was started?

StandWithUs was founded in 2001 by Roz and Jerry Rothstein (our CEO and COO respectively) and others in Los Angeles. With all the misinformation surrounding Israel during the second Intifada, they were concerned at the lack of resources students and the public had to respond. The organization began to educate students and the general public about Israel and empower them to educate themselves. The need was clearly out there, because almost immediately, the group was flooded with calls requesting help. StandWithUs grew exponentially, and now has offices and chapters throughout the US, Israel and the UK.We work with college students helping them respond to the anti-Israel speakers and events on their campuses as well as empowering them to be proactive. Our materials are used by synagogues, churches, schools, other organizations and the Israeli government. We are here to support students, communities, and leaders around the world with the knowledge and tools they need to educate about Israel. We do so through our printed materials, speakers, Internet resources, missions to Israel and conferences. Today, one of our main focuses is responding the BDS (Boycotts, Divestment, Sanctions) campaign against Israel. We have created many tools and websites such as our BDS website – www.standwithus.com/bds - that contains information about the BDS movement, its goals, best practices to boycotts and divestments, etc.

NVR: A large part of the work that SWU does is focused on education – what are some of the different educational programs that SWU has created? Who is your target audience?

On the college campuses, we have two Fellowships entering their fourth year operating on US and Canadian campuses and in Israel.  The StandWithUs Emerson Fellowship selects and trains students to run events that teach about Israel and to counter anti-Israel rhetoric. 37 student leaders from 37 campuses have been hired for the 2010-11 school year.  The students  attend an August conference in Los Angeles that trains them as StandWithUs Emerson Fellows. Through workshops and lectures by SWU campus staff, they learn skills and facts to help them clarify Israel’s image and combat anti-Israel rhetoric and stereotypes.  They learn coalition building, event planning and receive training in media and social network.

The StandWithUs Israel Fellowship operates on six campuses and trains 150 students to become life-long ambassadors for Israel.  A hallmark of the Fellowship is a year-end project that highlights a positive aspect of Israel.  Fellows receive extra-curricular training including workshops and lectures.  Graduates are placed in internships all over the world including a speaking tour in the United States.

SWU also works with student leaders on campuses around the world.  In November we hold "Israel in Focus," a weekend of training and advocacy for 150 students from North America and Canada. Students learn to advocate for Israel through workshops and renowned guest speakers.

For high school students, we have developed lesson plans and teaching tools for teachers and educators that are not just about the conflict but also about Israel’s innovations, culture, society, diversity, technology, etc. This is our Learn Israel program and more information can be found at www.learnisrael.org.

NVR: What do you think are some of the more damaging misconceptions about Israel which are commonly expressed in the media today?

Our signature 44-page primer Israel 101 booklet highlights some of the major misconceptions, or Hot Topics, dealing with Israel. One claim we hear often is that Israel is an apartheid, racist state and that Zionism is Racism.  The objective of comparing Israel to Apartheid South Africa is an attempt to isolate and pariah the state of Israel, similar to what the world did with Apartheid South Africa, in the hope that it will disappear.

Another misconception is that Israel does not want peace. We often hear how Israel is blamed for the failure of the peace talks. Since Israel’s creation, Israel has sought and made painful concessions for peace. It gladly welcomed peace with two of its neighbors, Egypt and Jordan. It has offered the Palestinians 98% of the West Bank, Jerusalem and just about everything they have asked for; each offer was rejected and gave way to violence.  Israel withdrew from Gaza and now Hamas is in control, firing rockets into Israeli cities on the Gazan border. PM Netanyahu agreed to a 10-month moratorium on settlement building to spur peace talks, but Mahmoud Abbas did not come to the negotiating table until the end of that period. Abbas continues to put pre-conditions on negotiations and refuses to cut down inciting Palestinians to hatred of Israel. The settlements are not the obstacle to peace; they are built on land won by Israel in the 1967 war. The obstacle to peace is the continued incitement to violence by the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, whose charter calls for the destruction of the state of Israel.

NVR: Can you tell us a little about the work of SWU here in the Northeast?

We have been ensuring that college campuses, high schools and communities have the support they need. We have also been one of the leading organizations responding to Ahmadinejad’s appearances at the UN and Columbia University in NY through rallies that attracted hundreds.  When the Gaza flotilla incident occurred, we took to Times Square during the height of rush hour with a large plasma screen to show footage of Israel acting in self defense on the Mavi Marmara.

However, our work here also goes beyond that. We are developing partnerships with high schools (Jewish and non-Jewish) as well as other education organization throughout the region to ensure that students understand Israel’s history and that we are able to instill Jewish and Zionistic pride in them.

We are now in the forefront of the new war on Israel- the one to delegitimize her in a variety of fields such as mainline Protestant churches, divestment on campuses, in unions, the media, among cultural elites and by having people boycott Israeli products. In response we have started programs like BIG (Buy Israeli Goods), arrange meetings with union representatives and bring speakers to a wide variety of venues. Our goal for 2011 is to expand our presence on the East Coast, especially the tri-state area because of the dire need for Israel’s case to be made. We hope that people will join us by visiting our websites often to see how they can get involved and financially help the cause.

NVR: Can you tell us a little about your own background and how you came to serve as the regional east coast coordinator for the organization?

I grew up on Long Island and throughout high school and college, I became very involved in politics and Israel advocacy. I ran and coordinated the activities of most of the clubs dealing with Israel, Politics, International Affairs, etc. Towards the end of college, I began to work part time for StandWithUs in New York, helping the organization grow, build its profile, and secure new relationships. I am now the East Coast Regional Coordinator  and work to engage and energize communities to become more active for Israel.

NVR: How can people find out more about StandWithUs?

They can visit our website at www.standwithus.com. All of our resources, programs and information about our initiatives can be seen there.

Copyright 2010 the New Vilna Review.