On January 29, 2019 the Center for Global Justice hosted speakers Aaron Fruh, President and CEO of Israel Team Advocates International, and Skip Ash, Senior Counsel at the American Center for Law and Justice.
Mr. Fruh opened the lunch by sharing the story of a Jewish family in Europe that were torn from their home and shot point-blank in the street by Nazi soldiers. Mr. Fruh discussed seven factors that led to the Holocaust and how many of those factors are in the world today. Mr. Fruh discussed his work at Israel Team teaching young people about the Jewish roots of their Christian faith and fighting modern forms of anti-Semitism. Mr. Fruh ended his talk by showing the photo of the murdered family again and sharing that the only survivor was a young woman in a polka dot dress—his aunt. Mr. Fruh explained that the best way to avoid another world tragedy like the Holocaust is for young people to stay informed and engaged on important issues.
Skip Ash finished the lunch by sharing his experience advocating for the Nation of Israel in the International Criminal Court (ICC). He explained his research on the Mavi Marmara case involving Israel’s enforcement of the Gaza blockade on the Mediterranean Sea. Mr. Ash discussed how the ICC and other world organizations use “lawfare” in an attempt to delegitimize Israel. He explained that “lawfare” occurs when organizations and governments bombard a country with lawsuits in an effort to overwhelm and entangle the government in legal battles. Mr. Ash ended by sharing his concerns about the possibility for politicization in the ICC and its overreaching jurisdiction.
The event drew 58 attendees including J.D. students and faculty members. Many attendees stayed after lunch for a question and answer session with the speakers.