Pro-Israel students among 700 at ZOA’s gala

Summarizing the sentiment speakers at Sunday night’s Zionist Organization of America gala in New York, ZOA National President Morton Klein said they focused on how important it is “to not permit a Palestinian state, as it will be a terrorist state,” as well as not “to end the war before the mission of destruction of Hamas and Hezbollah is fulfilled.”

“Appeasement of Palestinian Arabs and land concessions won’t resolve the issue,” Klein said. “This is a religious war, and we oppose one-sided concessions or ceasefires until groups like Hezbollah and Hamas are dismantled.”

The event, which drew nearly 700 people including many students to Cipriani 42nd Street, honored former US ambassador to Israel David Friedman, and Gilad Erdan, the global Magen David Adom president and former Israeli envoy to the United Nations.

Erdan, who received the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Defender of Israel Award, told the audience that the UN was “meant to be a body for peace” but “has become a tool in the terrorist arsenal, attempting to restrain Israel and falsely label us as human rights abusers.”

“It has been hijacked by regimes that plot genocide,” he said. “The UN has betrayed its mission, and worse still, it is funded by you — the United States. Almost $20 billion a year goes to this institution that weaponizes lies against Israel.”

“It’s time to defund the United Nations,” he added.

Philanthropist Gary L. Schottenstein, who received ZOA’s Justice Louis D. Brandeis Award, told attendees that “it must be clear: ‘Let my people go’ and ‘Never again’ are indisputable and non-negotiable credos that define us as a people.”

“Jews should take the offensive against countries, institutions, colleges and groups that display antisemitism or fail to support Israel,” he said. “We must use the power we’ve earned in finance, media, politics and society to make an impactful difference.”

Yeshiva University junior Shoshana Fisher, co-president of YU’s Political Action Club, told JNS that protesters outside the event, and some who heckled Erdan during his speech, “highlight the importance of this organization.” (The former Israeli ambassador asked the crowd to ignore the interruptions, as he proceeded with his speech. The protesters were removed.)

“Their strong anti-Israel presence is a reminder of the necessity for an equally strong pro-Israel response,” Fisher told JNS.

Pace University junior Daniela Cassell attended the gala as part of Students Supporting Israel, where she is president of the school’s chapter.

“We’re here to represent New York and the Zionist community on campus,” Cassell said. “It’s crucial to combat antisemitism and anti-Zionism on campus.”

Steve Feldman, executive director of ZOA’s Greater Philadelphia chapter, said that Jewish students who may fear for their future should “have hope” but prepare “to work hard for it.”

“Learn from reputable pro-Israel sources, develop informed policies and share them with your peers, family and even in the halls of government,” Feldman said. “Use social media, educate younger and older generations and spread the truth wherever you can.”

“It’s a two-way street,” he added. “We must encourage and support young people as they take the lead. Together we can prevail, just as we always have.”

Kami Salman, an opera singer and a representative for Masa Israel’s career and college programs for North America, said she attended the gala “to support the ZOA and be a loud and proud Jew.”

“It’s important for Jewish people to come together during these times and recognize, now more than ever, the need for Israel to stay as Israel. Nobody’s going to scare us out of having our homeland,” she said. “We’re Jewish, we’re proud and it’s so important for us to be together at this time.”

“We Jews did not come to Israel as colonialists. We came back home, and yet the world still denies our rights to our holy land,” Klein said in his closing remarks.

“We need to respond by being strong, proud and powerful Jews. Build more Jewish institutions. Celebrate Jewish holidays. Teach your children to be proud Jews, and never stop fighting back.”

Rikki Zagelbaum is news editor at The Commentator newspaper at Yeshiva University.