College and University Monitor

Hillel International is the largest Jewish student group in the United States active on more than 550 college and university campuses in America.

In Hillel’s published Standards of Partnership, it pledges never to “partner with, house, or host organizations, groups, or speakers that as a matter of policy or practice- Deny the right of Israel to exist as a Jewish and democratic state with secure and recognized borders; Delegitimize, demonize or apply a double standard to Israel; Support boycott of, divestment from, or sanctions against the State of Israel; Exhibit a pattern of disrupting behavior towards campus events or guest speakers or foster an atmosphere of incivility.”

Against this backdrop, one wonders how can leaders of Breaking the Silence (BTS) be scheduled to speak at the Kraft Center Hillel House of Columbia University on March 31st?

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon accuses the extremist organization of committing “treason” over allegations that the group attempted to glean classified information from former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers.

As has been widely reported, “Israel’s Channel 2 reported last week that Breaking the Silence actively worked to place people in classified units in the IDF in order to gather information that it could use in its activities against “the occupation.” Additionally, activists from the group interviewed IDF veterans on issues related to military secrets, and not human rights.”...