April 17, 2026
In today’s polarized world, university students must have the opportunity to engage deeply with the complexities of Israel and the Middle East — and we are committed to making that possible.
This Spring, MGSDII is proud to share that 450 San Diego students are learning about Israel in classes and academic programs.
Modern Israel in the Classroom
When we discussed decisions of the Israeli Supreme Court concerning the Security Barrier, I could see students realizing the complexity of international law as it applies to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A powerful moment for me was the students’ standing ovation at the end of a contentious semester studying the conflict.
– Dr. Udi Sommer, UCSD Political Science, Winter 2026
In my course on the Arab-Israeli Conflict, I’m impressed by the students’ ability to be empathetic toward the history of the Jewish people and their need for a State of their own. I especially enjoy the classroom discussion; students have told me they value having the space to express their opinions and ask questions.
– Dr. Tal Elmaliach, SDSU History, Spring 2026
Classroom Collaborations Transcend Borders
This month, despite the logistical challenges posed by the war, we are thrilled to be facilitating visits from three groups of Israeli students to connect with their San Diego peers. You can read about all of our Classroom Collaborations here.
- Aerospace Engineering: Students at SDSU and the Technion Institute of Technology are co-developing drone prototypes and propulsion concepts, sharing technical data to create innovative, problem-solving designs.
- Water Innovation: San Diego and Israel share a semi-arid climate. Engineering students at USD and Azrieli College of Engineering are collaborating on the sustainable desalination and wastewater recycling that are both critical challenges for both regions.
- Anthropology: MGSDII proudly funds the Tel Aviv University Student Fellowship, a joint program with UCSD designed to foster meaningful peer-to-peer connections and collaborative learning between Israeli and San Diegan students. Through cooperative projects in the lab, classroom, and field, students gain hands-on experience and build lasting cross-cultural relationships. Pictured below are 2026 Israeli Fellows Yotam and Shilav on an archaeology field trip to Mexico with Professor Geoff Braswell and their UCSD peers.
UCSD and Technion Partnering to Build Inclusive Cities
The UCSD UP-Hub (Urban Planning Research & Teaching Hub), which receives generous funding from MGSDII, is addressing environmental disasters impacting underserved communities in San Diego and Israel while giving future practitioners essential urban planning competencies.
Israel’s Technion Institute of Technology partners closely with the UP-Hub through its own Social Hub and Habitat Lab.
This April, the Hub is highlighting its “Technology with Communities” projects in our own Logan Heights and in the low-income, Arab-majority community of Jisr Azzarqa.
Students and faculty from Israel and San Diego have visited one another’s sites in the past three years to learn from their shared research.
Technion Students in San Diego
UCSD Students in Israel
