Israeli Reservists Speak at KU Amid Student Protests

Israeli reservists share their experiences during the *Combat on College* tour, hosted by Students Supporting Israel at the University of Kansas

Clarissa Rodriguez | @clarissa.rodriguez_ & Ben Nash | KUJH

College campuses across the country have long been spaces for discussion and debate about international conflicts and the ongoing war in Gaza is no exception. The University of Kansas became part of that national conversation Tuesday night as Students Supporting Israel (SSI) hosted two Israeli reservists, Guy Finkelstein and Noam Julius, to speak about their experiences serving with the Israeli army.

Before the event began, police officers and employees from the KU Memorial Union staff prepared the Burge Union to ensure everything ran smoothly. Security presence increased as attendees arrived, as a sign of the university’s preparation for potential protests or disruptions

Julius served nearly 300 days north of Israel, while Finkelstein was part of the Duvdevan special forces unit. Both men shared stories about life during wartime and the emotional toll of their service.

“For young men and women around your age they went to go do service,” Julius said. “After very short training they had to go to Gaza that I don’t even know that even adult men or women can contain.”

Students Supporting Israel promoted the event through social media, sending out a Google form on Instagram inviting KU students to attend, ask questions and hear firsthand accounts from the reservists. Ryan Diamond, a junior studying journalism and a member of SSI, said the group wanted to focus on unity and understanding.

“This is about no violence having peace and wanting prosperity and wanting people to be equal,” Diamond said. “ It’s about having the truth spread and everyone knowing what’s going on our side and what’s going on another side and how we can find ways to make peace within each other,”

While the event took place inside the Burge Union, tension built outside. Members of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) gathered to protest and voice their disapproval of the soldiers’ visit, holding signs, and chanting in support of Palestinian civilians.

Daniel Amezola, sophomore studying political science and the vice president of SJP, said he was disappointed that KU allowed the event to take place.

“I personally felt deeply betrayed by KU for even allowing this conference to occur,” Amezola said. “It’s one thing to allow people of similar nationality to have a club to celebrate that. But it’s another thing to have active combatants to come on KU to spout propaganda for a different nation.”

Both groups expressed strong emotions about the event, each viewing it as a reflection of how their voices are represented on campus.

Mya Hoersdig, a senior studying computer science, and the secretary of SJP, shared concerns.

“I was sad to see KU and SSI, but mainly KU back this kind of conference to allow IOF war criminals people who had committed genocide. IDF soldiers come out and talk about how they have killed children,” Hoersdig said. “It’s really sad to see them be invited to our campus.”

Throughout the night, chants from protesters echoed outside while inside, attendees listened quietly to the reservists’ testimonies. The contrast highlighted the deep divisions and strong emotions surrounding the ongoing conflict overseas, and how it resonates within the KU community.

As tensions continue to remain high, both groups say they plan to keep the conversation going, whether through future events, discussions or demonstrations, to ensure their perspectives are heard.