College students supporting Israel meet to discuss reclaiming campuses from radical agitators.

The Israel on Campus Coalition recently held its National Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., bringing together more than 500 American college students from 153 campuses. The organization aims to inspire pro-Israel college groups and students to take pride in and stand up for Israel on their campuses. The summit focused on the theme of “Take Back The Campus,” aiming to empower students in the face of a challenging climate.

Speakers at the summit included former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, photographer and Supernova Music Festival survivor Shye Klein, former Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, and others. The event also featured performances by singer and rapper Matisyahu and Israeli singer Noa Kirel.

During his discussion, former Prime Minister Bennett emphasized the importance of never apologizing for being Jewish or loving Israel. He encouraged students to unite from within and stand up for Israel, urging them to stick with the truth and never stay silent.

Marc Rowan, CEO and co-founder of Apollo Global Management, spoke about the fight against antisemitism, dividing it into three key areas: legal, political, and economic; hearts and minds; and safety and security. He emphasized the need for strategic thinking as students return to campus and face ongoing tensions surrounding the war in Israel.

Anti-Israel protests have been a contentious issue on college campuses since the Hamas terror attack on Oct. 7. Throughout the 2023-24 school year, agitators and student protesters demonstrated against the war in Israel, leading to increased instances of antisemitism and Jewish students voicing concerns about their safety on some campuses.

Protests at universities like Columbia, UCLA, Harvard, and Yale called for complete divestment from Israel, while protests outside Union Station during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, D.C., turned violent with chants of “Allahu akbar,” flag burnings, and graffiti. Students are being urged to tell their stories, be visible, and reach out to supportive alumni to make their cause known before problems escalate.