Cadets Join Yale on 10-Day Israeli Trip

Ten cadets and three faculty advisors from West Point joined twenty-seven undergraduates from Yale University on a ten-day trip to gain insight into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the region by connecting high level strategic dialogue with realities on the ground. In addition to a better understanding of the region, students and cadets fostered a civil-military relationship. During the trip, the cadets heard voices on both sides of the conflict, including academics, pollsters, and every-day citizens. The students visited religious and cultural sites, including the Old City of Jerusalem, Yad Vashem and Masada. They met with members of the IDF, including (Res) Br. General Benzi Gruber, who discussed the importance of the IDF Ethics Code and MAJ Ben Walhaus, a member of the IDF Legal Department. The students visited the Knesset where they met with MK Michael Oren. Finally, the students met with the former American Ambassador Dan Shapiro and current American Ambassador David Friedman, who offered differing perspectives on the conflict and America's role in the region. After witnessing realities and complexities on the ground, students left Israel grappling with questions regarding the conflict as well as narratives and identities.