The Israel Advocacy Seminar held over the weekend of the 12-13 February at Beyachad in Johannesburg proved to be a great success. All those that attended gained a vast amount of knowledge about Israel.

This seminar hosted a number of lectures given by various diverse speakers, exposing individuals to the facts about Israel, thus allowing them to formulate their own opinions.

The seminar equipped individuals with the knowledge and the tools to defend Israel. Special guest lecturers from Standwithus and other organizations presented sessions on topics including settlements, Jerusalem myths, apartheid analogy, intifada on the campus, the flotilla, Arab refugees, international campaign aimed at deligitimization of Israel as well as the security barrier.

The aim was to spread a positive connection to Israel in a way that was meaningful for each participant.

Michelle Rojas works for StandWithUs, which “is an international organization dedicated to bringing peace to the Middle East by educating about Israel and the misinformation that often surrounds the Middle East conflict. Through brochures, speakers, programs, conferences, missions to Israel, and Internet resources, they strive to ensure that Israel's side of the story is told on university campuses and in communities, the media, libraries, and churches around the world.”

The Israel Centre together with the Zionist Fedration of South Africa organized with schools such as King David Linksfield, Victory Park and Torah Academy for Michelle Rojas and Lior Meyer to address pupils at the Jewish day schools on Monday 14 February, after which they visited Cape Town and Durban to meet with community members and schools.

The already established passion that individuals hold for Israel was only enhanced, these individuals will continue to advocate Israel with a greater understanding of the facts.