Celebrating Israel's 60th
By:
Liz Navratil
Issue date: 4/7/08 Section: News
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"Sixty is so young for a country," said Leah Snyder, co-chair of iFest, the event celebrating Israel. "Even though Israel became independent in 1948, it's still fighting for its independence. And we're coming together to celebrate it."
IFest featured a performance by the VoKols, an a cappella group, and a Hebrew Twister tournament.
It was meant not only to celebrate the country's founding, but also to help give it a new image.
"I want people to realize that Israel is more than just a country you hear a lot about on CNN with terrorists," said Carly Adelmann, a member of Hillel and the VoKols. "It's got art and culture."
Most students at the event attributed Israel's violent image to media coverage of the Israeli conflicts with Palestine and Hezbollah. However, one member of Panthers for Israel insists that Israel is the victim of a double standard.
"They're constantly condemned," said Jackie Rosen. "But we can't imagine something like that happening in the United States."
Rosen said Sderot, a small town located less than one mile away from the Gaza Strip, is constantly bombarded with rocket fire. Israeli authorities send out a "code red" signal when they detect rocket fire, and the town's citizens have about 15 seconds to take cover. Some, she said, run to bomb shelters. Others are forced to take shelter under desks or in corners.
This climate of fear dominates every aspect of life in Sderot.
"You will have children who will take a path to school that is an hour and a half when it could be 10 minutes away because they know they can hide," Rosen said. "It's unimaginable."
Several organizations at the event dedicate their time to promoting better relations between Israel and its neighbors.
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