Students remaining in Israel

Despite concerns voiced by the department of overseas study, two students currently studying at Israel's Hebrew University will stay in the Middle East and not return to the United States until their semester abroad has officially ended. \n"I do not plan to return early, and I intend to finish my academic year here in Jerusalem," junior Joe Osgood said.\nOsgood and senior Joel Goldsmith aren't in any hurry to return to the states. \nAn advisory group of senior IU international administrators and Jewish Studies faculty reportedly arrived at the decision to ask the students to come home based on concerns about the latest escalation of violence in Israel.\nAlthough Osgood and Goldsmith understand the reasons behind the plea for their return, they don't feel they are in any immediate danger with the security precautions taken for their safety. \n"The University is going to great lengths to provide security to everyone," Osgood said.\nHe added that security on campus is high and what he saw on CNN over Christmas break isn't at all like what he's seen there.\n"Life here in Israel goes along normally, and Israel is not the war zone that it looks like on CNN," he said. "I don't feel threatened at all, even though I do understand that there is a risk."\nKathleen Sideli, associate director of the overseas study department, said the department cannot do anything to force the students to return but will make plans for the students who decide to do so.\n"We are currently making special arrangements to see that they receive full credit," she said.\nAs of now, only senior Miriam Pullman, who was unavailable for comment, is returning.\nOsgood said he understands IU's position and is appreciative of its concern.\n"IU has been very supportive to all of us who are studying abroad this year, and I feel that they will continue to be," Osgood said.\nHe added that he only hopes IU won't cancel the programs in the fall.\nOsgood said he plans to return sometime in June but isn't anxious to leave the country, which he said he absolutely loves. \n"It's amazing here," Osgood said. "But just like any other country, it has its problems."\nIrving Katz, professor of history, said the instinct humans possess for survival supercedes all other things during times of war. The department's decision to ask the students to return and cancel this summer's archaeological dig in Tel Bet Shemesh is an example, he said, of how people change their habits in times of crisis. \n"There's a higher principle involved here -- the survival of one's loved ones," Katz said.\nHe added if he had a child in Israel he would absolutely be concerned about "these murderers who kill civilians," and although he wouldn't be afraid of going, he would never send his child.\nBut he did admit students studying in Israel are probably safe, as precautionary measures have been taken to ensure just that.\n"Where the students are, though, it's very secure," he said.\nThe department of overseas study has yet to make a decision regarding next fall's study abroad programs in Israel, but students set to venture to the country next fall said they are eagerly anticipating the outcome.