This week, the 25th Annual International Shabtai Shavit World Summit on Counter-Terrorism, convened by the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) was held on campus. This year’s conference theme was “Israel in the Eye of the Global Storm.”
The conference took place on September 15–18 and was dedicated to issues related to the phenomenon of global terrorism.
It featured keynote lectures and professional panels, workshops, a panel with the families of the hostages, and a memorial ceremony for the fallen of the Iron Swords War.
For four days, decision-makers, security officials, researchers, and academics from numerous countries gathered at Reichman University for in-depth discussions on the global threats shaping today’s agenda.
The conference was emceed by Jonathan Davis, Vice President for External Relations and Head of the Raphael Recanati International School.
Prof. Uriel Reichman, Founding President and Chairman of the Board of Reichman University: “October 7 was a pogrom. Something fundamental in our national vision was, in a very real sense, shattered. At our university, we see dozens of young people with amputated limbs, head injuries, and PTSD, who are slowly trying to return to life with support and love despite their hardships and concerns. These students did everything they could to protect the country. Here at Reichman University — a university that declared from its very first day that it is Zionist, faithful to the Declaration of Independence and to the legacy of Israel’s founders — we state clearly that we must carve a path forward with them and for them, for this generation that bears the burden. We cannot allow those who do not fight benefit while the rest of the public serves them as hewers of wood and drawers of water. We cannot let the future generations fight in Gaza to once again serve the messianic ambitions of extremists. Together with our students and alumni, we will work toward a proper constitution for Israel. And I, personally, will work tirelessly to remove this destructive government through elections. Our entire university community stands with these students. We will support them and help to secure their future — the future of us all.”
Prof. Boaz Ganor, President of Reichman University and Founding Executive Director of the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT): “The fight against terrorism is difficult and ongoing. The State of Israel has faced terrorism since its establishment and, unfortunately, will have to contend with this phenomenon for many years to come, even after the end of the Iron Swords War. Combating terrorism requires knowledge, experience, determination, courage, and ingenuity, but also responsible and level-headed leadership and decision-making processes that take ethical and moral values into account as well.”
Together with all the people of Israel, the Reichman University community awaits with longing the safe and swift return of the hostages, IDF soldiers, and security forces to their homes, and prays for news that will bring consolation and hope and for better days ahead.
Among the conference speakers and participants were: Prof. Uriel Reichman, Founding President and Chairman of the Board of Reichman University | Prof. Boaz Ganor, President of Reichman University and Founder of the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT)| Family members of the hostages: Liran Berman, brother of Gali and Ziv Berman; Nadav Rudaeff, son of hostage Lior Rudaeff; Keith Siegel, hostage who returned from Hamas captivity after 484 days | Mike Huckabee, US Ambassador to Israel | MK Yuli (Yoel) Edelstein, outgoing Chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee (Likud) | MK Nir Barkat, Minister of Economy and Industry (Likud) | MK Yair Lapid, Leader of the Opposition (Yesh Atid) | MK Lt. Gen. (Res.) Benny Gantz, Former IDF Chief of Staff, Leader of the National Unity Party | Amb. Roger D. Carstens, Former US Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs | Maj. Gen. (Res.) Yoav Gallant, Former Minister of Defense | Brig. Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch, Coordinator for Hostages and Missing Persons, Israeli Prime Minister’s Office | Col. (Res.) Adv. Lior Lotan, Head of the Sheleg Chair for Crisis Research, Reichman University, Former Special Envoy for Hostages and Missing Persons, Israeli Prime Minister's Office | Prof. Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amos Gilead, Executive Director of the Institute for Policy and Strategy (IPS), Reichman University | Shalom Ben Hanan, Senior Research Fellow at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT), Reichman University, Former Senior Shin Bet official | Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Eitan Ben Eliyahu, Former Commander of the Israeli Air Force | Maj. Gen. (Res.) Gershon Hacohen, Former Commander of the IDF Northern Corps | Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amos Yadlin, Former Chief of the IDF Intelligence Directorate | Dr. Eyal Hulata, Former Head of the National Security Council and National Security Advisor | Sima Shine, Senior Researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and Former Head of the Mossad’s Research Division | Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif, Spiritual Leader of the Druze Community in Israel, and others.