“Was your institution invited to debate at WUDC Malaysia but not able to attend because you’re an Israeli institution? Were you ranked 7th on your institution’s list, just missing the cut? Is a €380 registration fee to high for your club to cover?” For debaters who have to answer one of these questions with “yes” but don’t want to stay home, the Jerusalem Open might be the solution.

Debaters who are not able to participate at this year’s WUDC can visit Jerusalem instead.

The idea of hosting a tournament simultaniously to the World Universities Debating Championship (WUDC) in Malaysia has a serious backround. Malaysia does not recognise Israel’s right to exist, which makes it very difficult and dangerous for Israeli debaters to attend this year’s WUDC.

The organisers already published a trailer and a video announcing the Chief Adjudicators (CAs) of the Jerusalem Open:

The CA-Team will consist of Doug Cochran (CA at WUDC 2013, Deputy CA at European Universities Debating Championship (EUDC) 2009), Omer Nevo (DCA at EUDC 2013, ESL Winner at EUDC 2011 and WUDC 2012), Eitan Har-Oz (Open semi-final judge at EUDC 2014, CA of Israel Freshers’ 2015), Hayah Eichler (ESL semi-final judge at EUDC 2011, CA of English Open 2011) and Yair Har-Oz (CA of Tech Open 2014, CA of Sci-Fi IV 2014).

It will be a two day tournament held in British Parliamentary Style with five preliminary rounds and a break to the semi-finals. The tournament will start on January 1 after a “pre-tournament, non-break-night party.”

Information in a nutshell:

• When? January 1-2, 2015
• Where? Jerusalem, Israel
• Registration fee? tba.
• CAs? Doug Cochran, Omer Nevo, Eitan Har-Oz, Hayah Eichler, Yair Har-Oz.
• Accomodation? Crash

The registration for teams and for adjudicators is already open. Questions can be directed to thejerusalemopen [at] gmail [dot] com, posted in the facebook group or asked via Twitter directly @jerusalemopen or using #tjo15.

ama/hug