CUFI on Campus Plays Central Role in Defeating SSCCC anti-Israel Resolution
SAN ANTONIO – This past weekend, CUFI on Campus, the college division of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), played a pivotal role in defeating a Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC) measure aimed at divesting from Israel.
According to Lydia Williams, a CUFI on Campus staffer who specializes in challenging the BDS movement and lobbied in opposition to the resolution, face-to-face conversations focused on educating SSCCC delegates were the key to defeating the resolution.
“These battles are not won and lost with grand gestures and publicity stunts, rather, it’s the quiet conversations, just two young adults, two Christians, two activists, and so on, that change hearts and minds, and ultimately ensure the pro-Israel community wins the day,” Williams said.
“Williams’ presence at the vote was a vital part of seeing the resolution defeated. Many of the students asked to vote on divestment resolutions know very little about what’s going on in the Middle East. While the BDS movement preys on this ignorance, CUFI on Campus combats it. There’s a reason we were successful at the SSCCC and will continue to be successful in the future: we’re there on the ground spreading the truth,” said David Walker, director of CUFI on Campus.
While in the past, divestment votes have often passed or failed by the slimmest of margins, this vote was a resounding defeat for the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement; the final vote was 25 in favor, 44 opposed and 6 abstaining,
“This was an exceedingly one-sided resolution. It was simplistic to the point of dishonesty, and did not speak for the students represented by the SSCCC. Once most delegates were made aware of the truth they quickly agreed to vote no,” Williams said.
“In addition to Williams’ efforts, we were very pleased to see strong engagement from the Israel on Campus Coalition, Hillel, and Stand With Us. This victory shows what happens when the pro-Israel community works hand-in-hand, and I’m grateful to our partners for their efforts,” Walker said.
