 "Photo: Andrea Lai")
Threats to Israel's sovereignty may also equate to threats at home, said Katina Rajunov, a business honors sophomore and member of Texans for Israel, at a presentation given Wednesday on campus.
Texans for Israel were invited to speak by the College Republicans at Texas, whose fourth meeting was hosted to inform members on the history and current situation in Israel.
Rebecca Weiser, a public relations junior, spoke to 30 attendees in Mezes Hall about the history of Israel, beginning with the birth of the nation 60 years ago. Since then, Israel has fought multiple wars with surrounding Arab nations, including the Six-Day War in 1967 in which Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria, she said.
"It's so important for America and Israel to have a relationship because we have shared values and shared threats," Weiser said.
Texans for Israel is open to students looking to engage in discussions pertinent to Israeli-U.S. relations, said Sam Ellison, political chair of Texans for Israel and Middle Eastern studies junior.
"We want to promote a pro-Israel attitude among the University at large, as well as future leaders," Ellison said.
In the presentation, Rajunov detailed three main threats to Israel's sovereignty: Hamas and Hezbollah, which are recognized by the U.S. as terrorist organizations, and Iran, which allegedly provides heavy funding for those groups, Rajunov said.
"Clearly, Iran's ambition doesn't end in harming Israel," Rajunov said, citing Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's harsh public words against the U.S. government.
Alan Sager, government lecturer and faculty sponsor of the College Republicans, followed the presentation by Texans for Israel by urging those in attendance to vote in upcoming elections.
"Any Republican who gets elected is going to continue the special relationship we have [with Israel]", Sager said.
The Texans for Israel urge those who are interested to come to one of their "weekly coffeehouses" Mondays at 9 p.m. in the Student Union. These events are an opportunity to discuss political aspects of Israel-related issues and are open for all to attend, Ellison said.
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