Israeli Parliament member for speak on democracy

Hillel will host a member of Knesset, Israeli’s Parliament, tonight at 7:30 p.m. in PC Ballroom. He will speak about Israel and the United States’ similar democratic values.

Effi Eitam is a member of Knesset and serves on the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and is a retired Brigadier General. He has commanded special operation forces, worked with the 1976 Entebbe hostage situation in Uganda and was a founder of the Zionist party.

"In the Jewish context, Zionism is about peace and bringing people together — a political movement for constructing the Jewish national state," said junior Hilary Oskin, Hillel’s membership chair.

Hillel got in touch with Caravan for Democracy, a group that encourages dialogue on campuses by bringing speakers from Israel to discuss democracy

Eitam’s speech will include an explanation of Israel’s current situation and his experience in their political process, Forstater said.

Some students are anticipating the speaker as an opportunity to empower the campus. "We’re trying to open people’s eyes, get them to be aware about what’s going on in other parts of the world and this is a great way to do it," Oskin said.

Junior Mark Scialdone, Hillel’s external programming chair, said, "[I want to know] how what a prominent political figurehead has to say will compare with the media and what I’ve heard from other scholars."

Scialdone hopes the speech will "enlighten [students], make them become more aware and promote dialogue on campus about what’s going on in the Middle East."

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and will be a social, emotional and spiritual Wellness Passport event.