Helms School of Government sponsors trip to Israeli Embassy as part of studies on terrorism

A group of students and faculty from Liberty University, led by Dean of the Helms School of Government Robert Hurt, visited the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., on October 24th to learn about the ongoing counter-terrorism efforts in Israel and how this nation, blessed by God, will not falter from the attacks from endemic terrorism and state-supported opponents of Israel. This was the school’s second visit to the embassy over the past year (another delegation visited in April).

The group of about 50 students primarily from Professor Scott Roenicke’s GOVT 480 (Terrorism) courses were joined by representatives of Liberty’s Standing With Israel Club as they heard from Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs Dovrat Zilberstein, who serves as the senior Israeli diplomat with expertise in arms control, terrorism, and national security affairs.

“Her briefing contributed extensively to explaining the mindset that they have with respect to their national security challenges, and why they see very little room for compromise (on security) with Iran or other Arab states, and I hope that’s the essence of what our students took away,” Roenicke said. “This engagement was an effective complement to reinforce the content of the course on terrorism.”

So far this year, Israel has experienced 1,500 terrorist attacks, with 24 Israeli citizens killed and 332 injured. Zilberstein explained some of the nation’s countermeasures used in the midst of their high-risk regional and domestic climate. Roenicke said that these insights were invaluable lessons for his students given the likelihood of the United States encountering an uptick in international terrorism from outside its borders.

“I think the students engaged in a real-world discussion on the kinds of terrorist challenges that states can expect in the highly-charged Middle East region today. In addition, they now have a deeper comprehension of what Israel is doing to enhance its own security. Frankly, the U.S. may have to take similar measures to preserve our own security in the future,” Roenicke said.

Roenicke joined Liberty last fall after retiring from a 30-year career in the Pentagon as Senior Advisor for Russia Policy to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in addition to serving as the Director for Russia Affairs at the White House in the National Security Council.

When asked why the students should consider careers in international relations, Zilberstein suggested that Israel’s Foreign Ministry, the equivalent of the U.S. State Department, is the organization that “sets things in motion” and is consequential to their country’s future. She indicated that she has had an unparalleled opportunity to directly contribute in meaningful ways to her country’s national security.

“It was enlightening to learn from them directly about how Israel prioritizes its security strategy around Hamas and the existential threat posed by Iranian state-sponsored terrorism and nuclear weapons development,” said Jacob Slabonik, a senior studying international relations – strategic intelligence. “We had the opportunity to discuss potential solutions that could move toward a two-state solution and deescalate conflict, (and) I look forward to seeing how Israel, the United States, and other countries within the Middle East move toward achieving these goals in the coming months and years.”

To help the students develop a fuller grasp of why Israel is as resolute and unyielding as it is with respect to its security requirements, Roenicke brought the group to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum before visiting the embassy. “I wanted that experience to frame the students’ thinking as to why Israel does what it does,” he said. “The students came into that meeting understanding what the Jewish people went through during World War II, and why Israel is so serious about negating existential threats.”

As a parting gift, the School of Government gave the embassy a framed photo of a lighthouse standing firm while being struck by a giant wave — a metaphor for the nation of Israel’s unwavering stance amid the opposing forces that seek to decimate it. A plaque on the frame was inscribed with an abridged version of Jeremiah 31:35 – 37 (found in both the Bible and Tenakh, the Hebrew scriptures): “‘He who appoints the Sun to shine by day and the Moon to shine by night, who stirs up the seas so that its waves roar, only if these decrees banish from my sight,’” declares the Lord, “‘will the nation of Israel ever cease being a nation before Me.’”

“I thought it would be an excellent sentiment to convey to them. The Israeli and U.S. Governments are doing what they can to counter destabilizing threats to Israel … but in the end, God will not let Israel fall,” Roenicke said. “Israel will remain a beacon of God’s faithfulness to the world, and there is nothing that any state or group– even Satan himself — can do to change that. I think the Israeli diplomats were very moved by that message.”

The trip came one day before the arrival of President of Israel Isaac Herzog, as embassy staff were busy preparing for the president’s visit.

“The fact they were able to still have us visit was a testament to their respect for Liberty University and Dean Hurt; they retained a sincere willingness to pour into our students in spite of their heavy workload,” Roenicke said.

“The Israelis were beyond hospitable despite eager preparations to ready the embassy for (Herzog’s) arrival,” added junior Katherine Doan, who is double majoring in criminal justice and American Sign Language. “(They had a) genuine desire to educate students as to the most prominent issues of terrorism and state-funded violence that continues to threaten their borders, which is both shocking and tragic. If the Helms School offers the opportunity (for another trip) in the future, I will be the first to sign up.”