itrek or Israel Trek is an organization that sends graduate students in business, law, policy and STEM at U.S., Canadian, and European universities on peer-led, week-long trips to Israel. More than 1,300 former itrek leaders support it.[1] Some trips include contacts with Israeli tech start-ups.[2]
Criticism
editThe Harvard College Palestine Solidarity Committee has called on students to boycott iTrek, citing its organization by Israeli soldiers, accusing it of whitewashing what it characterized as Israeli apartheid.[3][4][5][6]
In 2022, Georgetown University Graduate Student Government (GradGov) cancelled the sponsorship of a trip to Israel planned for March 2022 following internal controversy and university intervention. Students expressed concerns about the trip's destination, Israel, which they characterized[7] as an apartheid state.[8]
In 2021, Penn Law School students revitalized a student organization, "Penn Law Students for Justice in Palestine" (PLSJP), to support Palestinian liberation and petition against University-backed trips to Israel, releasing a statement with more than 50 signatures discouraging students from participating in itrek, which provided annual academic trips to Israel. PLSJP cited the displacement of Palestinians, itrek's links has to the Israeli government as reasons not to participate in the program.[9]
itrek participants
edit- Carrie Keller-Lynn, American-Israeli social media expert, podcaster and journalist
References
edit- ^ "About itrek". itrek | Inspiring tomorrow's leaders. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ "In 'iTrek,' Israeli start-up scene is future business leaders' training ground". Jewish News syndicate. 7 July 2016. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ "Boycott Israel Trek: Don't Spring Break in an apartheid state". Mondoweiss. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ "Harvard College Palestine Solidarity Committee Calls for Boycott of Israel Trek, Drawing Backlash from Pro-Israel Students | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. 25 October 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ "Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine Urges Undergrads to Boycott Israel Trek | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ "Palestine Solidarity Committee Circulates Pledge Urging Undergrads to Boycott Israel Trek | News | The Harvard Crimson". www.thecrimson.com. 7 November 2019. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ "iTrek 2020: Law Students Explore Israel in UVA's Fourth Organized Trip". Virginia Law Weekly. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ Sinutko, Samantha (25 February 2022). "University Prohibits GradGov From Subsidizing Israel Trip". The Hoya. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
- ^ Mayfryer, Olivia (19 July 2021). "Penn Law students revitalize club to petition against University-sponsored travel to Israel". The Daily Penn. Retrieved 17 February 2024.