The World Jewish Congress arrived in Israel this week for a fact-finding mission for leading legal academics at American universities. Academic institutions represented include New York University, Boston College, the University of Maryland, Indiana University, Duquesne University, the University of San Diego, South Texas College of Law, Southern Illinois University, George Mason University and the University of New Hampshire.
The four-day agenda is broadening the delegation’s understanding of the impact that the Hamas terrorist attacks on Oct. 7, when 1,200 were murdered, thousands wounded and as many as 250 men, women and children, has had on the Jewish state. It is also meant to highlight the resilience of the country’s legal system, both domestically and in the context of international courts such as the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice, both in The Hague.
Delegation members have visited key sites in Israel, including the Tekumah car graveyard for a briefing from the Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson’s Office and Kibbutz Nir Oz. They met with Sharon Lifshitz, daughter of former hostage Yocheved Lifshitz, and Nir Metzger, son of former hostages Tamar Metzger and Yoram Metzger, who was murdered in captivity. The professors will also be briefed by Dr. Omri Sender—partner and chair of public international law practice at S. Horowitz & Co.—as well as the IDF’s International Law Department to better understand the legal implications of the military campaign against Hamas.
World Jewish Congress chief marketing officer Sara Friedman, who is heading up the group, emphasized the initiative’s significance. “This mission is crucial not only for understanding the complexities of Israeli law but also for exploring the profound impacts of the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre on the legal system and the laws of war,” she said.
“By bringing together the bright minds in the field of legal education, we aim to foster a long-term commitment to upholding human rights and addressing antisemitism through informed, impactful advocacy,” added Friedman.
The group held additional meetings with professors at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, NGO Monitor’s Gerald Steinberg, and Yana Naftalieva, president of the World Union of Jewish Students.
The World Jewish Congress has facilitated numerous fact-finding missions to Israel since Oct. 7, including a delegation of 14 federal judges from the United States as well as groups of legal professionals.
