Chicago Friends of Israel

Chicago Friends of Israel is a recognized student organization, or RSO, at the University of Chicago 1. It is a cultural and political organization that seeks to promote a pro-Israel message on and off the University of Chicago campus. CFI attempts to represent all of the many opinions and perspectives held by supporters of Israel. The events range from free food on the quads to movie screenings to speeches by journalists and historians, and are meant for everyone. Chicago Friends of Israel also seeks to focus on academic debate AbOUT the situation in Israel and the Middle East.

Past Events

Just a few examples of past events sponsored by CFI are:

"A Second Holocaust? The Implications of a Nuclear Iran" [http://maroon.uchicago.edu/online_edition/news/2007/04/20/israeli-historian-sees-iran-as-dire-threat/]- April 18, 2007 Featuring: Benny Morris, Professor of History at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beersheba.

"Middle East Peace: Illusion or Reality" 2– February 28, 2007 Featuring: Richard Perle, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense and Former Director of Defense Policy Board

“Now They Call Me Infidel” – January 18, 2007 Featuring: Nonie Darwish, Arabs for Israel and Author

"Meet the Israel Lobby" – May 3, 2006 Featuring Bret Stephens, Wall Street Journal Foreign Affairs Columnist and Former Editor-in-Chief of the Jerusalem Post

"Evaluating Gaza Disengagement" - March 1, 2006 Featuring: Christopher Hitchens, Columnist for Slate.com and Hillel Halkin, Columnist for the Jerusalem Post

Past Controversy

In 2007 the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago denied use of their Breasted Hall for use by Chicago Friends of Israel for an event with Richard Perle, Former Assistant Secretary of Defense for President Bush3. The Institute denied use due to Institute rental policy for events of political nature but in the past had hosted events with Prince Turki Al-Faisal, the Saudi Ambassador to the United States and a screening of the film No War in Iraq.

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Chicago Friends of Israel Website 4

CFI Controversy with Oriental Institute 5

CFI Posters Defaced 6

More CFI in the News 7