Senator John Fetterman sat on stage in front of a packed room at Israel on Campus Coalition’s 2026 National Leadership Summit on Tuesday, August 4 in Washington, D.C., speaking about his unwavering support for the Jewish state.
“I’m proud to be here today,” he told the audience. “It’s been very clear that if people or countries or the world turns their back on the country when it’s under siege, we know how things go. I refused to be part of that problem after 10/7.”
With interviewer Bethany Mandel, Fetterman spoke about how the Democratic party has shifted its stance on Israel, electing politicians that engage in anti-Israel rhetoric.
“I’m incredibly disappointed, but unfortunately I am not surprised,” he said.
The two-day ICC summit featured sessions with politicians like Fetterman and Rep. Elise Stefanik, along with freed hostage Omer Shem Tov; Rachel Goldberg-Polin and Jon Polin, parents of Hersh Goldberg-Polin (z”l); Yoav Gallant, former Minister of Defense of the State of Israel; Ron Dermer, former Minister of Strategic Affairs of the State of Israel; Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon; social media influencers Zach Sage Fox and Eyal Yakoby; Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights in the United States Department of Justice Leo Terrell; author Dara Horn; NBA and NFL veterans Metta World Peace, Michael Redd, Eddy Curry, and Tarik Black and social media expert and peace activist Nas Daily.
There were 800 students representing more than 200 college campuses, as well as faculty members, in attendance. The Summit theme was “American. Zionist. Proud,” and Tessa Veksler, an advocate who was part of the ICC Geller Fellowship, hosted the sessions.
“Leadership is not waiting until you feel ready,” she said. “Leadership is accepting responsibility when your community needs you. You’re not doing this work alone…The entire ICC community will be with you every step of the way.”
“Leadership is not waiting until you feel ready. Leadership is accepting responsibility when your community needs you.” – Tessa Veksler
In her opening remarks, Dorothy Tananbaum, president of ICC, told the students, “There are moments in history when a generation is defined not by the challenges it faces, but by the choices it makes. You defended Israel when doing so often carried a personal cost.”
At the conference’s Young Republicans Reception, Leo Terrell discussed how he’s been fighting antisemitism on campuses and will be putting together a 15-city taskforce to combat it further. He asked students to get involved.
“I’m so proud to head this task force,” he said. “I want to expand the base and include everyone. This is a fight we all have to get involved in. I will never say no in the battle to fight antisemitism.”
Both Zach Sage Fox and Nas Daily stressed the importance of posting content on social media. Fox said, “We are always going to be smaller, but we have to be mightier.” He urged the students to be, “bold and unapologetic” on social media.
Nas Daily, who has over 70 million social media followers – and who utilizes his platforms to advocate for peace in the Middle East – encouraged attendees to step up their social media strategy and focus on it full time.
“Content creation is a religion,” he said. “You have to take it as seriously as a religion. It is not just a hobby… If you take it seriously, it will change your life, and the lives of your grandkids.” He added, “Make it your number one priority.”
Dara Horn, author of “People Love Dead Jews” and the forthcoming, “The Final Solution to the Jewish Question: A Love Story for the Living,” talked about the importance of engaging in debates with people who are anti-Zionist. On campuses, students come up to her shouting slogans, but as soon as she pushes back with facts and answers their questions, they retreat.
“It’s actually really easy to pop this balloon,” Horn said. “You don’t need a PhD to defeat an argument that’s three words long.”
Omer Shem Tov, who has been speaking about his experience as a hostage since his release in February of 2025, closed out the conference with an interview with Chief Executive Officer of ICC Jacob Baime. Like other presenters, he encouraged the students in attendance to speak out, keep up with their advocacy, and to be a light unto the nations.
“I wish for you to keep being proud,” he said. “Wear your star of David or your chai out loud. Don’t be shy… keep being Jewish. Keep being proud.”
