Media Releases – December 1996
December 1996
December 2, 1996 Annual Family Chanukah Party in Hebron
December 5, 1996 “Yad Vashem with an Air Force”
December 9, 1996 A Family Reunion In The Jewish Holy City of Hebron
The Maccabees, The Patriarchs, And Us
December 10, 1996 Yossi Beilin – A Master at Rationalizing Failure
December 11, 1996 The “Foxiness” of Abe Foxman
December 13, 1996 A Family Reunion On Chanukah In The Jewish City of Hebron
The Patriarchs, The Maccabees, And Jews Like Us
December 17, 1996 So Saith Husseini: No Jews Allowed To Live In East Jerusalem!
December 17, 1996 U.S. Law Requires Extradition of Murderer of American Citizen
December 19, 1996 Letter to President Clinton
December 19, 1996 Jewish Racism Rides Again!
December 22, 1996 Does America Still Believe “Thou Shalt Not Commit Murder?”
December 24, 1996 Sound The Shofar, Israel Is In Mortal Danger!
December 26, 1996 The Arrogant Doctoring of the News by Channel 1 Television
December 28, 1996 Ruth Matar Speaking Tour
December 29, 1996 Sound The Great Shofar, Israel Is In Mortal Danger!
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Jerusalem, December 2, 1996
GALA ANNUAL FAMILY CHANUKAH PARTY IN HEBRON
TUESDAY, December 10, 1996
Chartered Buses
Only A Prior Reservation Will Insure A Place on Bus
Noa Ariel’s Puppet Shows:(Entrance Fee 5 NIS)
Gutnick Center
2 shows: 11:45 A.M. Gan through Grade 2
12:45 P.M. Grades 3 through 6
Balloon Man: David Perkins, our favorite balloon man,
will be making funny animals as presents for the children.
Guided Walking Tours: At 11:30 A.M. and 1:30 P.M.
leaving from entrance of Gutnick Center.
The Machpela: Famous Tour Guide, Hayim Mageni, a veteran
Hebron resident, will provide you with fascinating information
about this famous holy site (inside the Machpela)
from 11:30 A.M continuously through 3:30 P.M.
Hebron Movie: Continuous Showings at Gutnick Center.
Four Lectures:(At Avraham Avinu Synogogue)
1) 12:00 — In English: Rabbinit Levinger
“Bet Hadassah before 1929 and after 1967.”
2) 13:00 — In Hebrew: Chagi Ben Artzi (Netanyahu’s
brother-in-law) on the verse in Samuel II 2:32 “And the
Light Dawned On Them In Hebron”.
3) 14:00 — In Hebrew: Noam Arnon, One of Its Leaders will
speak on “The Jewish Community of Hebron”.
4) 15:00 — In English: David Wilder, Spokesperson, will
speak on “Hebron, Now And Forever.”
Chanukah Candle Lighting: An impressive
candle lighting ceremony will take place
outside the Machpela at 16:40.
Buses Will Leave From Hebron Around 17:00.
Come join us for a wonderful and meaningful celebration
of Chanukah.
Ruth and Nadia Matar
Telephones to Call for Reservations:
Jerusalem 02 624 9887; 02 561 9006
Tel Aviv: 03-695 4980
Netanya 09 861 5348 or 09 861 5193
Maaleh Adumim 02 535 3737
Metar (Beer Sheva) 07 651 7111
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Jerusalem, December 5, 1996
“Yad Vashem with an Air Force”
There was a pathetic rush by some
to criticize David Bar-Illan, one of the chief advisors of
Prime Minister Netanyahu, for his frank and fair assessment
of Thomas Friedman’s well known anti-Zionist stands.
Bar-Illan, it seems, had the “audacity” to go a bit further
and express the hope that Friedman would not be invited to
address American Jewish organizational functions. Friedman
is a foreign affairs columnist for the prestigious New
York Times; one would think that the Jews giving
Friedman an additional forum to disseminate his form
of virulent one-sided criticism of Israel, would be a
legitimate concern of the Prime Minister of a Jewish
State. Moreover, the dearth of objective news coming
out of Israel by a hostile foreign media does not give
to Jews in America a fair picture of what is going on
in the life and death struggle with the Arabs for the
survival of Israel. To invite, therefore, a
“turncoat” Jew as a main speaker to a Jewish audience
is not wise; the audience is virtually dependent on
the speaker to give them the “true” facts of what is
going on in Israel. Moreover, such a choice has
psychological implications. It is a fair assumption
that a Jewish audience would assume that their
organization, by choosing Friedman as the main
speaker, has found him to be fair and objective. The
audience would, therefore, give great weight to the
opinions of this well known fellow Jew. And make no
doubt about it, Friedman is known by Gentiles and Jews
to be a Jew. Unfortunately, he is quoted widely by
the Arabs and some anti-Semitic Gentiles as one of
their main sources against the existence of Israel,
and Arab unjustified claims that Israel denies to them
self-rule and human rights. As for his long time
advocacy of Arab nationalistic aspirations in
Palestine, Friedman is apparently not concerned that
establishing another Arab State within the area of
what the League of Nations as early as 1922 voted to
be a Jewish Homeland, would threaten Israel’s
security, and in fact its very survival.
There is no question that Bar-Illan’s
evaluation of Friedman as a known anti-Zionist is
correct. From his early days at Brandeis University
Friedman has been a leader in pro-PLO groups, and has
not changed that outlook throughout his journalistic
career. Even before you begin reading his column,
you can safely assume that there will be no criticism
of the PLO, Arafat and their vicious hatred of the Jews,
and the State of Israel, as expressed by their unamended
PLO Charter which repeatedly calls for the destruction of
the State of Israel. Moreover, Friedman recently
deified, of all people, the blatant Anti-Semite, and
former U.S.Secretary of State, James Baker, as the
ideal Israel basher, and Friedman suggested that U.S.
President Clinton would do well to appoint as his new
Secretary of State someone who holds similar ideas on
how to handle Israel. Ludicrously enough, in Baker’s
autobiography, he reveals that Friedman is the source
for his famous prejudicial remark where he gave Israel
the telephone number of the White House, and said:
“When you are serious about peace, call us.” Baker
further tells us in his book that “I occasionally
asked Friedman to share his thoughts with me”. Thus
Friedman had the ear of this renowned Anti-Semite
Baker, and fulfilled the role of the historical Court
Jew who was not beneath selling out the interests of
his People to gain personal favor in the eyes of the
“Gentiles.”
Indeed, the phenomenon of the likes of
Thomas Friedman are not unusual in the long history of the
Jews. Sadly, our living as a minority in the Diaspora for
some 2,000 years has had its toll. Some fellow Jews betrayed
their own People in order to win favor and gain “full”
acceptance by the majority, or the ruling class in the
society in which they lived. This betrayal pattern
takes on many forms, and degrees, but is easily
recognizable. It is abetted greatly by a lack of
identification of, or rejection by the perpetrator, of
the religion, culture, practices and beliefs of his
fellow Jews. Assimilation has made its mark upon him, and
he no longer identifies with the long historical aspirations,
hopes and dreams of his ancient People.
Bar-Illan was mild in his criticism of
Friedman as an anti-Zionist. Friedman is virtually a
self-hating Jew. But in addition to that deplorable
trait, he apparently is a cautious coward, with
hypocritical tendencies. On a recent visit to
Jerusalem, in his capacity as a reporter, following
the Arab suicide bombings, he admittedly chose not to
stay at one of the leading downtown hotels. He
expressed the fear that there might be an Arab attack
at or near the hotel where he usually stayed, which
would subject him to danger. Accordingly, he chose to
distance himself from that hotel, and reside in what
he thought to be a “safe” nearby Jewish neighborhood.
A man who is constantly advocating to the Jews that
they take “chances” for peace, has an entirely
different criterion when it comes to his own personal
safety. He doesn’t trust the very Arabs, whom he
recommends the Jews to trust, not to blow HIM up. But
his audacity doesn’t stop there. He ridicules the Jews
having the vivid Holocaust memory as a basis for their
caution in dealing with the Arabs. In his 1989 book
“From Beirut to Jerusalem,” he showed his despicable
insensitivity to this ghastly Jewish tragedy by
characterizing Israel as “Yad VaShem with an Air
Force.” His surname belies its meaning. Thomas
Friedman is not a freed man, but a slave to gaining
acceptance in his Gentile society, at the expense of
his fellow Jews and Israel.
Jewish organizations with any pride or
understanding of their magnificent Jewish Heritage should
not be party to providing such a man as Friedman with a forum
for a captive audience. The Jews of America deserve far
better than to have to listen to someone who is no
longer interested in the survival of Jews as Jews.
The sad truth of the matter is that Friedman’s formula
for peace in the Middle East, would also have the Jews
eliminated by the Arabs, whether they identify themselves
as Jews or not. Witness if you will, the long standing
Arab attitude of not allowing Jews to reside peacefully
in Hebron.
Unfortunately, Friedman will continue to
spew his one-sided prejudice with regard to Israel’s
place in the “New Middle East” to the wide audience of
readers in the New York Times. He does not deserve
having Jewish organizations give him an additional
forum, where he can abuse the intelligence of his
Jewish audience, and advance his distorted and biased
views against the interests of the Jewish People.
Ruth Matar
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Jerusalem, December 9, 1996
A Family Reunion In The Jewish Holy City of Hebron
The Macabees, The Patriarchs, And Us
Jews will be going up to their Holy City of
Hebron with their families on Tuesday, December 10, 1996,
from the four corners of the Promised Land to celebrate
Chanukah. This Holiday commemorates the miraculous
triumph of the Macabees over their Syrian foes some
2000 years ago.
What better and more meaningful way to
relive their ancestor’s heroic struggle for freedom to
worship the God of Israel in their historic homeland?
The Macabees of old showed by their faith the will to
persevere; the few defeated the many, and the
principle of freedom of religion emerged to light the
way for all peoples in future generations.
Women In Green have arranged an
exciting day for their guests in Hebron commencing
about 11:30 A.M. They have chartered numerous buses;
are bringing puppet shows for the children; have
arranged interesting lectures ý( including one by Chagi
Ben Artzi, the brother-in-law of Prime Minister
Netanyahu); guided tours; an in depth visit to the
Cave of the Patriarchs; a continuous movie on Hebron;
a visit to the Hebron Museum and the restored ancient
Avraham Avinu Synagogue; and generally enjoying the
Chanukah Holiday spirit and atmosphere.
The day will be capped at eventide by
a brief, but impressive Chanukah Candle Lighting
Ceremony. The background for this ceremony will be
the Walls of the 2000 year old King Herod structure
which this King of the Jews built over the burial
places of the founders of Judaism and the Jewish
People.
Ruth and Nadia Matar
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Jerusalem, December 10, 1996
Yossi Beilin – A Master at Rationalizing Failure
The recent article by Yossi Beilin entitled
“Who cares about changing the Palestinian Covenant?” is so
typically Beilin, whom the late Prime Minister Rabin so
aptly described as a faithful poodle of his mentor
Shimon Peres. Peres the “artful dodger,” indeed has
groomed a worthy successor to his strategies of
belittling any problem he has failed to solve, as not
being at all important or significant.
As a parallel Peres-like approach, one
ignores completely embarrassing facts or events, which
contradict or expose the shallowness of your policies.
Thus there is deliberately ignored damaging and
murderous facts about your Arab peace partner Arafat:
Arafat’s direct responsibility for the killing of Jews
by Arab suicide bombers, his shielding known recent
murderers within his area of domain, and his most recent
plan to resort to violence to gain further concessions.
Thus the Arab Police of the Palestinian Authority, under
Arafat’s proven incitement and with his approval, used
the guns the Labor Government gave them in the
unprovoked killing and maiming of Israeli soldiers.
All that is ignored. Instead, Beilin goes on the attack,
and ridicules the Prime Minister of Israel in the press
outside of Israel. He fails to reveal to his readers
that a large Jewish majority of some 57% of the
electorate recently rejected the Peres-Beilin approach
to Oslo of concession after concession to Arafat to keep
the illusory “peace process” going at all costs.
The whole thesis of Beilin’s article begs
some important questions; if the Palestinian Covenant
indeed is the archaic relic that Beilin contends it is,
why did the Labor Government need a letter from Arafat
concerning the repeal of it? And why did the PLO and
Arafat strenuously oppose having it specifically written
into the Oslo Accords? And why did the Labor Government
insist that the PLO convention be called and set a time
limit when such amendment had to take place? Why would
the Labor Government allow all sorts of wanted murderers
of Jews to come into the Land to attend such an Amendment
Convention and have a vote taken with regard to it?
And why did Shimon Peres unabashedly make the bizarre
false proclamation that the repeal of the PLO Charter,
which he deceitfully said took place, was the most
important development in the Middle East in the last 100
years? The wonder is that Beilin’s mentor Peres
apparently did not think that the re-establishment of
the State of Israel after 2000 years was at least of
equal significance.
The fact is that the PLO Charter is a
murderous inciteful document, openly advocating over and
over again the destruction of Israel and the Jewish
People. As the historian Paul Johnson (who wrote “A
History of the Jews”) succinctly put it: “One of the
principal lessons of Jewish History has been that
repeated verbal attacks are sooner or later followed by
physical deeds.” Time and time again, over the
centuries, Anti-Semitic writings created their own
forceful momentum. Mein Kampf is a good example,
followed by the Holocaust.
But bashing his own Prime Minister abroad,
and insulting a former U. S. President in the press in
Israel, is something Beilin does with great ease. Not
long ago he wrote a demeaning article in the Jerusalem
Post about the former immensely popular President of the
United States, Ronald Reagan. In that article he depicted
President Reagan as a virtual idiot, and the American
electorate as one that can be easily fooled, since they
elected this “fool” on two separate occasions. What
Beilin, of course, intrinsically lacks, are the traits
that made President Ronald Reagan so admirable to the U.S.
electorate, to wit: National Loyalty, Love of Country,
Honesty and Truthfulness. President Reagan also thought in
terms of a God on High, and had a warm and respectful attitude
about Israel being “Bible Country.” All these qualities, Mr.
Beilin is sorely missing. He, therefore, omits to disclose to
his American readers a fair and accurate picture of the
sorry “Oslo” mess the former Labor Government has left
to the new Prime Minister Netanyahu as an inheritance,
and as a noose around the Jewish People’s neck.
Ruth Matar
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Jerusalem, December 11, 1996
The “Foxiness” of Abe Foxman
Abraham Foxman, National Director of the Anti-
Defamation League, and his organization, made a serious
blunder in choosing Thomas Friedman, a columnist of the
New York Times, as the main speaker for their major
function in Los Angeles, on December 8, 1996. That
blunder was in no way diminished by the self-serving op-
ed article Foxman rushed to have published in the
Jerusalem Post a few days after the ADL event.
No use of “high-faluting” principles
such as the right to hear “different perspectives on the
peace process” justifies making a man like Friedman the
“Guest of Honor” at a major event of a Jewish
organization dedicated to fighting against defamation of
Jews. Foxman pulls out all stops, by claiming having
this pro-PLO Jew as its “Guest of Honor,” the ADL was
actually defending great democratic principles of free
speech and a free press. Foxman’s ludicrous
justification of Friedman as the ADL main speaker is
worthy of an award, in and of itself, for cynical and
satirical mumbo-jumbo.
And using the old ploy of making the ZOA the
only unreasonable complainant to their choice of this
“self-hating Jew” as their main speaker, is
unpardonable. It may be a tempting strategy to single
out as your sole opponent Mort Klein, President of the
ZOA, who has heretofore been subjected to many unfair
and unwarranted attacks on his leadership for daring to
reassert Zionist aims and aspirations. But the fact is
that many, many prominent Jews, including the former
editor of the Jerusalem Post, David Bar-Illan, have
publicly stated that Friedman should not be given this
additional Jewish forum. There is nothing in the
concept of Democracy which obligates minorities to
“self-bash” themselves.
Not offering Friedman this platform from which
to seed his brand of Anti-Israel venom, is not in any
way the informal censorship that Foxman pretends it is.
In balance, through his N.Y. Times column, his views are
already widely circulated, disproportionately to those
views opposed to his. In truth, we are talking only
about an additional forum, and Jews paying to hear his
unobjective and prejudicial outlook.
A true gauge of Friedman can readily be
ascertained by the well known company he keeps, and the
anti-Israel groups he has joined. Friedman’s pro PLO
affiliations are well known, as is his complete failure
to criticize the PLO’s consistent record of open
hostility to, and hatred of, the Jews and Israel. It is
unworthy of Abe Foxman, under these circumstances, to
continue to justify the wrongful conduct of having as
the main speaker at a private Jewish organization,
supported almost entirely by Jewish funds collected to
fight defamation of Jews, a person like Friedman, who
justifiably is thought by many as an avowed enemy of the
Jewish State of Israel .
Ruth and Nadia Matar
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Jerusalem, December 13, 1996
A Family Reunion On Chanukah In The Jewish City of Hebron
The Patriarchs, The Maccabees, And Jews Like Us
The family Chanukah Party which Women In Green
arranges each year in Hebron for the children and
families of that brave and heroic Jewish Community, and
also for the families of our members, and supporters, was
a huge success. Thousands of Jews from all over the
Country came up to Hebron on Tuesday, December 10, 1996,
from the four corners of Israel, and from abroad, to
celebrate with us this joyous Holiday commemorating the
miraculous triumph of the Maccabees over their Syrian
foes some 2000 years ago. What better and more meaningful
way to relive their ancestor’s heroic struggle for freedom
to worship the God of Israel? The Maccabees of old showed
by their faith the will to persevere; the few defeated the
many, and the idea of freedom of religion emerged to light
the way for all peoples in future generations.
The weather was delightfully pleasant. Women In
Green had worked hard to arrange a varied and exciting
program. It included inspiring lectures and guided
informative walking tours. Chaim Mageni, a veteran
Hebron tour guide, was retained to be present throughout
the day inside the Machpelah, describing the history and
importance of this holy site; in addition, we provided a
continuous showing of a film about Hebron. All in all, it
was a well planned day of activity, which enriched the
visitor’s knowledge about Hebron, and why this ancient
holy city should and could play a vital role in the life
of every Jew.
For the children, we brought to Hebron Noa
Ariel’s famous Puppet Shows. Two performances, on different
age levels, were enthusiastically received. In addition,
our favorite balloon man, David Perkins, and his crew, were
creating funny “animal” balloons, and giving them out as
presents, throughout the day, to all the many children,
compliments of Women In Green. Also, in keeping with the
Holiday spirit, our Women widely distributed bags of
Chanukah treats to the soldiers and police who were on
duty. It was a show of appreciation for their difficult
and invaluable efforts in insuring tranquillity in the
area.
Later that night we arranged for Noa Ariel to
have a performance for the mothers of Hebron on an adult
level. It too was an act of appreciation on our part for
what these stalwart women daily contribute to the Jewish
People. All year long these dedicated mothers serve not
only their families, but all the People of Israel
throughout the world by faithfully maintaining a Jewish
presence in Hebron, just as their Jewish ancestors have
done throughout the last 3800 years; they and their
husbands and children live extremely modestly, in an
exposed hazardous area. Their heroic dedication and
daily sacrifice has not been adequately recognized by all
of us. It is only through having an existing vibrant
Jewish Community actually living in Hebron, that it is
possible for all Jews, both those who live in other parts
of Israel and in the Diaspora, to come with safety to
visit this ancient holy Jewish City, and to pray at the
site of the historical graves of their illustrious
ancestors.
The enormous inspiration and source of renewal of
our faith which a visit to the Holy burial sites of our
forefathers generates, is not sufficiently grasped by us.
Arafat and the Arabs unfortunately do recognize these
crucial factors and the importance of the Machpelah to
Jewish survival. That is why they continuously and
falsely propagandize that the Jewish Community of Hebron
consists of wild, unruly and fanatical Jewish elements.
The Arabs realize that if they are able to rid Hebron of
its Jews, they will cut off the source of the Jews’
historic claim to all the rest of Israel. That otherwise
intelligent Jews don’t themselves grasp these obvious
salient facts, is a sad commentary on their understanding
of what is necessary for Jewish survival in their ancient
homeland. For make no mistake about it, if the Jews are
out of Hebron, there will be, within a short space of
time, a drastic end to their visits to this ancient
Jewish City. And this, not only because the present Arab
Mayor of Hebron, and Arafat, categorically announce their
intentions that Jews should not be allowed to pray in the
Machpelah. The realistic fact is that with no Jews
living in the area, other Jews will be fearful to visit
where only hostile Arabs reside. In addition, Arabs
will, as they have done repeatedly in other places where
they have assumed control, remove traces of historical
artifacts which provide the basis for Jewish claims to
this Land.
But that is not the end of the tragedy. It is
difficult to find a People who know as the Jews do, where
the founders of their People are buried. The beliefs of
the forefathers of the Jews in one God laid the
foundations of the spread of this concept, and the later
founding of Christianity and Islam. Moreover, whatever
ethics and morality there is in Western Civilization,
stems from the forefathers of the Jews. Thus the
forebears of the Jews should remain a source of
inspiration for our People, and a visit to the holy
graves of these “Giants of Humanity” is a source of
pride, and instills an awesome sense of identity, with
what is right and good in this world. Standing before
the graves of these ancestors, gives purpose and meaning
to carrying forth their extraordinary message to present
and future generations. Without Hebron, the Jew is cut off
from this wellspring of Jewish life.
The lecture delivered that day by Chagi Ben
Artzi, who has recently come to live in Hebron, essentially
made those points. Chagi is the brother-in-law of Prime Minister
Netanyahu, and has been bold enough to speak up and differ
with Netanyahu’s willingness to cede a great part of
historic Hebron to the Arabs. Netanyahu gives as his
reason the Agreement of the prior Peres Government with
regard to ceding Hebron; Netanyahu claims he is bound by
the Peres Agreement. Not so Ben Artzi. Although he
speaks with a low voice, he exudes a powerful faith, and
conviction, as well as a sense of knowledge and pride in
Jewish history, and of his people’s major contribution
to humanizing mankind on this earth.
The day was capped off at eventide by a brief but
impressive lighting of the candles of the sixth night of
Chanukah on the steps leading up to the Cave of the
Patriarchs. The forefathers were present in spirit, and
Rabbi Levinger, the present day heroic figure of Hebron,
lit the Chanukah candles for the large audience who
gathered at the foot of the steps. Nadia Matar spoke
briefly, urging our Prime Minister to take courage from
his ancestors, the Maccabees, in the face of inordinate
pressures being brought upon him. She pleaded with him
not to abandon Hebron, which has been a spiritual bulwark
of our People throughout the ages. Rabbi Levinger spoke
after he lit the candles, and told his audience that the
Women In Green, led by Nadia and Ruth Matar, were the
present day Maccabees. He warned that our enemies today
are no less powerful and multitudinous, but that the
Chanukah message is that determined faith can move
mountains.
We then all descended to the parking areas; our
buses were waiting to take us home to the various parts
of the Land. It was the end of a long and exciting day.
Our visit to Hebron would have to serve us with the
necessary inspiration for all of us to continue the
struggle of our forefathers, both our Patriarchs and the
Maccabees, to insure that the Land of Israel will forever
remain the homeland of the Jewish People. Our visit was
indeed a “family reunion”, full of meaning and enrichment;
would that all our fellow Jews were able to share such an
experience. They can. It’s up to you! “Next year in the
rebuilt Jewish City of Hebron”.
Ruth Matar
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Jerusalem, December 17, 1996
So Saith Husseini: No Jews Allowed To Live In East Jerusalem!
Faisal Husseini, coordinating his efforts with
his Peace Now brethren, has a well planned strategy of
attacking the seemingly natural development of an
undeveloped area adjacent to the City of David. The
building site is in the eastern part of the municipality
of Jerusalem on land incontrovertibly owned by Jews for
over a hundred years. It is not far from the historic
Tomb of Absalom, and overlooks the Old City. The
property is in the vicinity of the Biblical and
historical Mount of Olives, where many, many of our
revered and illustrious ancestors are buried. It is
from the Mount of Olives, that, according to the Prophet
Zechariah, the Messiah will come to bring a true peace
to this Country and the world. Since that Prophet
envisioned a completely restored Jewish Jerusalem, he
would have been dismayed at the bias, hostility and
perversion of history of Husseini and his cohorts.
Husseini has a long family tradition of hatred
of the Jews which is deeply imbedded. His great-uncle
was the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, a recognized
collaborator with Hitler; the great-nephew has never
disassociated himself from such patent bias and hatred of
Jews. Such is the nature of the leader of the opposition
of this proposed Jewish building project!
Now theoretically, if civil rights groups heard
that anyone except Jews were being excluded from living
in certain areas of Jerusalem, they would be screaming
that such exclusion constitutes a violation of basic
human rights. The situation is even more ludicrous
considering that Jerusalem is the Capital of the Jewish
State of Israel. It was the Capital during the lengthy
reign of King David and King Solomon, and remained that
Capital for the Jews for the period of their 2000 year
dispersion. Moreover, Jews have lived in this very area
of Jerusalem long before there was an Arab People or a
Muslim religion. How can Husseini justify his
opposition to this project historically or otherwise?
If Husseini and Arafat (who is also a close
relative of the former Grand Mufti), say Arabs cannot
live peacefully alongside of Jews, then perhaps it is
time to be realistic about the kind of peace that the
Arabs contemplate. How do they succeed in duping the
world community about their true murderous intentions
towards the Jews? The time has come to expose the
fraudulent peace posture of the Arafats and the
Husseinis. Jewish building in Jerusalem on Jewish owned
land, is a threat to no one who is seeking to truly live
in peace. Threats of another intifada, and other sorts
of intimidation do not validate outrageous and unfair
opposition to such building. Let’s read and heed the
Prophet Zechariah, rather than Jew-hating, false, and
deceitful prophets like Faisal Husseini and Yassir Arafat.
Ruth and Nadia Matar
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Jerusalem, December 17, 1996
U.S. Law Requires Extradition of Murderer of American Citizen
David Boim, a sixteen year old American born
citizen, was brutally murdered on his way home from
school on May 13, 1996. Ahmjad Hanawi, one of the
murderers who committed this horrendous terrorist
crime, is in the Palestinian Authority’s sanctuary in
Jericho, without any effort on the part of Arafat to
have him tried for such murder. In fact, the
Palestinian Authority has refused to extradite Hanawi
to Israel to be tried for such murder, in clear
violation of the Oslo Accords; the Netanyahu Government
has, in vain, formally requested such extradition.
The world community of civilized nations has
determined, as confirmed by international law, that
deliberate murder is a crime for which punishment can
not be avoided by the murderer seeking refuge in a border
crossing sanctuary. American Law specifically requires
the United States to demand the extradition from the
Palestinian Authority of the Palestinian who is within
its jurisdiction; the PA does not contest that Hanawi
murdered David Boim, a U.S. citizen. Under 1992
amendments to America’s anti-terrorist law, Congress
has made it a federal crime to murder an American
citizen outside the United States.
President Clinton has recently been
in the forefront of pleading with the leading civilized
nations to wage war against the type of terrorism
committed by Hanawi and his cohorts. It is
inconceivable, given the authority for America
to demand Hanawi’s extradition by reason of its own
anti-terrorist legislation, to continue to remain
silent in that regard. The leadership assumed by
President Clinton to wage war against terrorism must
show to the rest of the world, the kind of courageous
example that is essential if the U.S. anti-terrorist
leadership is to be taken seriously.
Women In Green, initially applauded
President Clinton’s initiative in declaring war on
terrorism. Now, its many American citizens and
supporters within its ranks, both here in Israel
and abroad, will urge, in the presence of the
parents of David Boim, that President Clinton
demand the extradition of Hanawi, the known
murderer of this American citizen, for trial in an
American Court of law. We will do so in front of
the American Consulate in Jerusalem on Agron
Street on Wednesday, December 18, 1996, at
10 A.M., and will hand over a letter to the
Consulate to that effect, addressed to President
Clinton. The continuation of substantial American aid
to the Palestinian Authority should be used as an
inducement for Arafat to comply with the moral
imperatives involved.
Ruth and Nadia Matar
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******************************************************
Jerusalem, December 19, 1996
LETTER TO PRESIDENT CLINTON DELIVERED TO THE AMERICAN CONSULATE
IN JERUSALEM DURING THE DEMONSTRATION HELD YESTERDAY.
Honorable Bill Clinton
President of the United States of America
The White House, Washington, D. C.
Dear President Clinton:
It was not very long ago that you led the way
toward bringing nations together to wage war on terrorism.
My husband and I suffered the tragic loss of our dear son
David approximately seven months ago due to a cruel attack
on this defenseless school boy waiting for a bus on his
way home from school. One of the murderers of my son is
apparently known, Ahmjad Hanawi. Yet the Palestinian
Authority who knows of this killer’s whereabouts within
their PA controlled area, does nothing about bringing him
to justice, nor will it turn this murderer over to the
Israeli authorities so that he may be tried for the murder
he committed.
David was an American citizen. He was born in the
U.S. some 17 years ago. He was killed outside the United
States by an act of terrorism, when Hanawi and others
cruelly shot him dead. American Law has made such an act a
Federal Crime, subjecting the perpetrator to extradition
to the United States, where he is to be charged with
murder in a Court of Law and tried for such offense. Here
is a classic case of terrorism, and fits specifically
within the American Statute calling for the extradition of
such a murderer. Yet nothing of the sort has been done.
Why? Why, in your own backyard so to speak, are you not
dealing with this terrorist, by demanding his extradition
from Arafat and the Palestinian Authority, by whom he is
being sheltered? Do you not hear the mockery which the
world is expressing because of such hypocrisy? How can
America be believed, when it does nothing about a classic
terrorist act, which it has the power to punish?
America gives the Palestinian Authority a great deal
of monies, and other support. It has the right and duty
to demand of it the extradition of a murderer who has used
the area controlled by the PA as a haven of refuge, to
escape justice being done with regard to the murder he
committed abroad of an American. Unless such extradition
is sought with all the vigor and power the U.S. has,
neither you, nor America will effectively be believed,
when a call is made for others to act against terrorism.
Mr. President see that justice is done. See to it that
Hanawi is extradited. Only when acting in this firm and
fair manner, is there a chance that we can successfully
deal with terrorism, and have a chance to obtain a true
and lasting peace in the Middle East.
Respectfully,
Joyce Boim
Stanley Boim
******************************************************
December 19, 1996
Jewish Racism Rides Again!
Yesterday, Israeli radio reported factually
that hundreds of Hamas terrorists gathered at a
public rally in Ramallah in the presence of the PA police,
and called for increased violence against Israel by the
Arab masses. ( Translated to the vernacular, this means
“kill the Jews.”) The radio report went on to state
that circulars were also distributed throughout PLO-
controlled Ramallah, calling for increased violence.
(Channel 2 Radio news … 12/18 … 7 P.M.)
Nothing new, you say? News reports are
continuous of late where Arafat, in true Arab democratic
tradition, is allowing mass demonstrations in Gaza and
elsewhere, of Hamas and other militant elements in the
Arab populace. The central theme is always a call for
immediate warfare against the Jews and Israel.
What does all this tell us, if anything?
Obviously, it is not at all worrisome, because we do not
hear a murmur of criticism of such war-like actions from
Peace Now or the Israeli left, or for that matter from the
“loyal” opposition Labor. But maybe it is worrisome, and
the explanation lies in the fact that Peace Now, the Israeli
Left, and Labor have different standards when it comes to
the Arabs, in contra-distinction to the standards required
of the Jews.
Thus, were a Jew to encourage, or participate in a
similar type of activity which Arafat is permitting to occur
freely in the areas under his control, they would be
immediately jailed, criminally prosecuted, and in many
instances for far less, placed in Administrative Detention
for extended periods of time.
Now that adds up to “Jewish Racism” pure
and simple. These Peace Now-niks, the left and Labor are
in effect saying the Jews are superior to the Arabs,
and therefore must be held to a higher standard of
ethical and moral behavior in order to promote the “peace process.”
That having the poor Arabs required to “measure up” to those
moral and ethical standards is not being “realistic”. If you
want “peace” at all costs, you must lower your universal standards
of ethics and morality when you deal with Arabs. Makes sense,
doesn’t it?
Ruth and Nadia Matar
***************************************************
Jerusalem, December 22, 1996
Does America Still Believe
“Thou Shalt Not Commit Murder”?
Back in March of this year, there was a great
deal of fanfare given to an international anti-
terrorist gathering held in Sharm-El-Sheikh in Egypt.
The driving force behind the calling of that conference
and its aims and purposes was U.S. President Bill
Clinton; he had seen to it that the leading powers
throughout the world were personally there. Quite
naturally he also had present one of the former leading
world terrorists, Yassir Arafat, who is now head of the
Palestinian Authority, even though there are many who
claim that this leopard has not changed his spots.
After all, it was the series of Arab bus bombings in
Israel that sparked the need for such a conference in
the first place; perhaps it was thought that Arafat
could lend his expertise in advising the nations of the
world how to handle terrorist situations. At this
international anti-terrorist gathering, lofty speeches
were heard, urging that immediate action be taken to
wipe out this dire threat to the civilized world.
Just two months after that conference was held,
on May 13, 1996, David Boim, a seventeen-year-old
American-born citizen, was brutally murdered by Arab
terrorists on his way home from school to Jerusalem
where he resided with his parents. Ahmjad Hanawi, one
of the three murderers who committed this horrendous
terrorist crime, is presently in the Palestinian
Authority’s sanctuary in Jericho, without any effort on
the part of President Clinton, Arafat, or the other
attendees of the anti-terrorist conference to have this
murderer tried or convicted.
Long before the gathering at Sharm-El-Sheikh, the
world community of civilized nations had determined, as
confirmed by international law, that such deliberate
murder is a capital crime for which punishment can not
be avoided by the murderer seeking refuge in a border
crossing sanctuary. In accord with this general
holding of other nations, the United States adopted
specific legislation in 1992, which sanctioned the
extradition to America of any murderer of an American
citizen by a terrorist act abroad. The statute
provided that such an act, although committed in a
country or territory not under U.S. control or
jurisdiction, constituted a U.S. Federal Crime, and
authorized extradition of the killer to the United
States to be prosecuted in a U.S. Federal Court. The
David Boim murder in May of this year falls squarely
within the meaning and intent of the 1992 U.S.
legislation; Ahmjad Hanawi is known by U.S.
intelligence to be one of the terrorist murderers of
David; yet no U.S. request to the Palestinian Authority
has been made to date to turn him over to the United
States! Why not?
Certainly no more applicable case can be found
where President Clinton and Arafat, who both were at
Sharm-El-Sheikh, could carry out concretely the aims of
that conference by having this known, and as yet
unpunished, terrorist murderer turned over to the U.S.
for trial. It defies apparent logic, accordingly, why
the U.S. request is not being made. The fact is that
beneath the surface are realpolitik considerations on
the part of Clinton, his State Department, and Arafat
which have nothing to do with terrorism, nor its
prevention, nor handing out punishment to its
perpetrators.
President Clinton has apparently decided to apply
a different standard with regard to Arafat and the
Palestinian Authority than he does to Israel. He will
make no demands on Arafat, will not threaten or
pressure him, for fear of blowing up the so-called
“peace process”. Clinton’s advisors have a short-range
policy based on a false sense of stability which they
think presently exists in the Middle East as a result
of this illusory Peres initiated “peace process.”
Moreover, it is unwise to build a peace structure
relying onArafat as a foundation pillar. Realistically,
however, what in fact President Clinton means by
“Middle East stability” are those conditions which do
not upset a steady flow of oil at a reasonable price
coming from this region. That factor is the overriding
consideration for Europe as well. Having Arafat, the long
time and continued friend of Iraq’s Saddam Hussein, as someone
you rely on to maintain the necessary “stability” in
the region, is nothing less than grotesque and
unrealistic reasoning.
President Clinton therefore buys Arafat’s
pretended helplessness with regard to the violent
elements in his Authority, and his complete
unwillingness to eradicate such forces of terrorism.
He succumbs to the coy appraisal of Arafat that his
position is extremely unstable, and would subject him
to assassination, were he to comply with demands to
take the necessary steps to actually amend the PLO
Charter, whose present provisions call for the
destruction of the Jewish State. Arafat takes the same
posture with regard to any other demands made upon him
because of the utter neglect of the Palestinian
Authority to fulfill its obligations under the Oslo
Accords. President Clinton closes his eyes to the fact
that there is virulent hatred towards Israel and the
Jews taught in the Authority’s educational system, and
expressed in its media; that to date it is a one-sided
“peace process,” with demands and pressure brought to
bear only on Israel. Thus it is wishful thinking to
expect President Clinton, despite his previous
declarations and commitments to fight terrorism, to
initiate a demand to the P.A. authority to extradite
the murderer of the American citizen David Boim. At
the very least it will take an overwhelming appeal by
the American public, and its media, demanding that
basic justice be done, before President Clinton will
act as he should in this matter.
Arafat’s compliance with such a just demand for
extradition is not at all assured. He is a master
maneuverer, and has all the aforesaid ploys at his beck
and call by which he has successfully held America at
bay to date. Were such a demand made, Arafat most
likely will run one of his pretended one day trials,
give a comparatively light sentence for such an act of
murder; then when all quiets down, subsequently let
this killer go free, and even induct him as a member
of his police force, as he has previously done, in
similar situations. International law has never
sanctioned a refusal to extradite by any country or
entity which engages in such deceptive practices. If
Arafat’s bubble of false pretensions has not been
pierced up to now, it is very unlikely that President
Clinton on his own, will bring any new effective
measures or pressures upon him at this late date. On
the contrary, President Clinton chose to buttress
Arafat by attacking Netanyahu’s expression of support
for existing settlements in Judea and Samaria,
following the recent Arab terrorist murders similar to
that committed against the American citizen David Boim.
Nor was it lost on anyone that President Clinton did
not vociferously criticize Arafat for remaining silent
in the face of these terrorist murders of a Jewish
child and his mother.
If President Clinton will not
demand that the Palestinian Authority turn over Hanawi to
America for trial, his inconsistency and lack of determination
about fighting terrorism will be blatantly exposed, despite
his professed altruistic pronouncements to the contrary.
There can be no justification for his failure to act in that
regard to date. Arafat must be put to the test of not supporting
terrorism, and there is no better way to do it than to
have America demand extradition of the terrorist murderer Ahmjad
Hanawi. All fair Americans should write, call or fax President
Clinton that he must demand the extradition from the Palestinian
Authority of this alleged terrorist murderer of an American. In
addition, all facets of the American media should be approached
to bring this matter into the open, and to receive the public
attention it deserves. “Thou Shalt Not Murder” must still be one
of the Commandments to which we give credence and heed. Murder
must not go unpunished, if we are to live in a world where morality
and justice still have an important role to play.
Ruth Matar
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********************************************************
Jerusalem, December 24, 1996
Sound The Shofar, Israel Is In Mortal Danger!
Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 25, 1996 at 9:45
A.M., at the entrance to the KNESSET in Jerusalem, Women
In Green will hold a demonstration protesting against further
dangerous appeasement, and more catastrophic concessions
to the arch murderer and terrorist Yassir Arafat, and his
henchmen, concerning the Israel army’s redeployment in Hebron.
Turning over large sectors of Biblical Hebron
to the jurisdiction of Arafat, in the face of his refusal to
extradite Arab murderers of Jews who are sheltered and shielded
from prosecution in areas previously given over to him, is sheer
madness. Moreover, the maintenance, continuance, and growth
of the existing and ancient Jewish Community in this Biblical
city is put in jeopardy by this cave-in to American and
European external, and disloyal internal, pressure. The Arafat
plan and drive to destroy the State of Israel in stages, has
achieved still another advancement, with the help of the
faithless, and misguided Netanyahu Government.
The Shofar, has been the ancient traditional call to
Jews to awaken from their lethargy, and to become aware of
impending danger. Once again, the Shofar will be sounded loud
and clear outside the KNESSET of Israel with regard to the
disaster that awaits the Jewish People from its erstwhile friends,
and from the self-declared enemy Arafat. In days of yore, the
enemy alone was the threat. Today, we are faced with a situation
where our own Government is cooperating with the declared enemy
to “peacefully” bring about the Jewish People’s demise, in order to
gain favor in the eyes of the international community.
Sound the Great Shofar as we do on Yom Kippur! Our
message to our People is no less urgent: Israel, you must act
immediately to refuse to create still another city of refuge for
Arab murderers in Hebron. You must remain true to your Jewish
Destiny and History, and our inalienable rights to this Promised Land.
Ruth and Nadia Matar,
*********************************************************
Jerusalem, December 26,1996
The Arrogant Doctoring of the News by Channel 1 Television
Almost simultaneously with the release by Dr. Aaron
Lerner of IMRA of the results of a recent survey on how
the Israeli Public perceives its “Media,” the report of
an event by that media demonstrated clearly the validity
of the findings of that poll. The poll disclosed that
an overwhelming majority of Israelis felt that it just
was not possible to rely on the objectivity of the
Israeli Media! Coincidentally, that evening Channel 1
reported on a demonstration concerning Hebron held
outside the entrance to the Knesset by Women In Green.
Since the entire demonstration was recorded on video, it
was simple to confirm the gross distortions that Channel
1 created in its report of that newsworthy item.
The fact is that Channel 1 appeared on the
scene almost at the outset of our protest.
The two hour orderly and colorful event, featured the
blowing of the Shofar by many men in prayer shawls, to
alert our Knesset of the impending battle for Jewish
survival in Hebron, Jerusalem and in all of Israel.
The protesters were chanting: “Today Hebron, Tomorrow
Jerusalem and Savyon.” Minister of Agriculture Raful
Eitan, and Deputy Minister of Education Moshe Peled spoke
at the rally, as did Member of Knesset Benny Elon. Women
In Green leader, Nadia Matar, was interviewed at length,
and explained why we were there demonstrating. After
the interview of Nadia, the Channel 1 crew left.
Surprisingly, they returned to the rally at
its very end when there were only a handful of people
left. They went directly to one of our woman who held a
sign in English which read: “You Promised, We Believed,
You Betrayed,” ignoring completely the same sign we
had in Hebrew, which stated that Netanyahu betrayed his
pre-election promises. They falsely accused us of
calling Netanyahu a “traitor,” and falsely and
aggressively claimed we did the same to the late Prime
Minister Rabin, and thereby caused his death. Their
evening news report did not show the Shofar blowing, nor
the very large group of demonstrators, nor the aforesaid
Ministers speaking. It did not show any part of the
lengthy interview with Nadia Matar. Instead they
focused on one sign and gave their own distorted
prejudicial interpretation of it. They attempted to
portray us as a handful of irresponsible fanatics,
rather than the moderate, loyal, nationalistic group
that we are.
Why does this Government disgracefully
continue to have in control of Channel 1, which is wholly
supported by public funds, vicious, left oriented personnel,
who daily distort the reporting of the news in order to insure
that only their point of view is presented?
Ruth and Nadia Matar
*******************************************************
Jerusalem, December 28, 1996
Ruth Matar Speaking Tour
Ruth Matar, columnist, artist, jewelry
designer and renowned leader of Women In Green in
Israel, will be coming to the States and Canada on a
three week speaking tour from February 24 through
March 18, 1997, sponsored by Women In Green.
A limited number of speaking engagements are
still open in Ruth Matar’s schedule, and if you are
interested in her appearing and speaking in your
community, please fax our office at 972 2 6245 380,
or call or fax Ed Banyai (see below) with the suggested
date, place, the sponsoring group or groups, and the size
of the anticipated audience. It should also be noted
whether local television, radio or press interviews
can be pre-arranged for Ruth Matar. Ed Banyai of
Norfolk, VA, President of American Friends of Women
In Green (Tel: 757 857 4708 ; Fax: 757 857 6463) will
then be in direct contact with you, if the date or
dates suggested are available, and if so, to make the
other suitable and necessary arrangements.
Yours for a better Israel tomorrow,
Nadia Matar, Co-chairwoman
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*****************************************************
Jerusalem, December 29, 1996
Sound The Great Shofar, Israel Is In Mortal Danger!
Turning over large sectors of Biblical Hebron to
the jurisdiction of Arafat is bad enough. Making
catastrophic concessions to this arch murderer and
terrorist with regard to the Israel Army’s planned
redeployment in Hebron is insufferable. It all adds up
to new and unworkable “gestures” of appeasement on the
part of the Netanyahu Government, which in no way can
be justified. Concessions have been made which
relinquish the right of the IDF to exclusively control
security, something Netanyahu had insisted before the
elections must never occur. He has given up the right
of the IDF to pursue terrorists, who commit acts of
terrorism, into Arab controlled areas, something he
promised he would never do; he is going to give
machine gun-like weapons to the Palestine Police, who
before the elections he properly called an army of
terrorists; he has agreed to open up for Arab traffic a
street which runs past Jewish residences, and allows
the opening up of an Arab retail market adjoining the
main sector where Jews reside. All these “concessions”
callously jeopardize the lives and safety of the Jewish
families residing in Hebron. And what is most
ludicrous, all these “concessions” are being made in
the face of daily occurrences of Arabs throwing
firebombs at Jewish residents in Hebron. Moreover,
hostile declarations against the right of Jews to
reside there are openly made by Arab leaders. Nor has
there been a word of disclaimer from Arafat, nor has he
called for Hebron Arab residents to live in peace
alongside their Jewish neighbors. Rather, he has
issued a statement that the late Yitzhak Rabin promised
him that the Jews would be evacuated from Hebron, which
in effect, encourages continued Arab violence.
This macabre scenario defies comprehension.
That Netanyahu would voluntarily expose his fellow
Jews to such explicit and foreseeable danger, is
unprecedented in the long annals of Jewish History.
Almost without exception, respected military evaluations
call the exposure to Arab violence of the Jewish
Community in Hebron extraordinarily dangerous,
even without the above Netanyahu concessions. Bear
further in mind in evaluating the disastrous Netanyahu
concessions, the stark precedent of the 1929 pogrom,
and the indisputable fact that the present Arab
residents in Hebron harbor the same murderous feelings
and inclinations towards the Jews, which their recent
forebears acted out in the 1929 pogrom. The Museum in
Beit Hadassah in Hebron, which vividly portrays the
slaughter of Jews in Hebron as a result of the 1929
Arab pogrom, is a constant reminder to us all of what
the Arabs are capable of.
Whatever hopes we all shared with the
election of Netanyahu, are now rapidly disappearing.
His campaign promises, and later impressive speech to
the U.S. Congress, expressing his insistence on
reciprocity as the overiding consideration before
Israel would continue to act pursuant to the Oslo
Accords, have disappeared from his agenda. Netanyahu
does not appear to have the necessary strength or
convictions to carry out his promises, when faced
with pressures or threats.
The fact of the matter is that Arafat’s plan
to destroy the State of Israel in stages has achieved still
another advancement towards its goal, by Netanyahu deciding
to carry out the Peres-Rabin Oslo Accord with regard to
Hebron. Moreover, Netanyahu has seemingly disregarded
completely the recent widespread use of weapons by the
Palestinian Police to kill and wound IDF soldiers,
which guns had been provided under Oslo by Peres and
Rabin. Giving even more dangerous weaponry to such
Police in hostile Hebron is bad enough. Creating still
another “safe haven” for Arab murderers in Hebron is
sheer madness, in the face of the Palestinian
Authority’s refusal to comply with Oslo by not
extraditing Arab murderers of Jews who are sheltered
and shielded from prosecution in areas previously given
over to Arafat and the PA.
In view of this grave mortal danger to the
Jewish Community of Hebron, Women In Green felt
compelled to act forthwith. They called on its members
and supporters on less than a day’s notice, solely by
phone calls, to meet in front of the Knesset in
Jerusalem, to demonstrate the following morning,
Wednesday, December 25, 1996. We called on rabbis and
others, to come wearing their tallit to sound the
ancient traditional Shofar call to Jews, and to the
Knesset Members to awaken from their lethargy, and to
become aware of the impending disaster looming in
Hebron. That a new threatened Holocaust from the self-
declared enemy Arafat, would not be lessened by
subsequent expressions of sorrow from Israel’s
erstwhile “friends” like President Clinton and some
Europeans. Unfortunately, today we are confronted with
a situation where our own Government is cooperating
with a declared enemy to “peacefully” bring about the
Jewish People’s demise, in order to gain favor in the
eyes of the international community.
Miraculously, over 250 men and women
responded to our call on such short notice. The
demonstration received wide coverage both by the local
and foreign media. The women appeared as a mass of
green hats, and their chorus of voices led by their
leader Nadia Matar was raised in a massive chant:
“First Hebron, then Jerusalem and Savyon ” (A
fashionable suburb of Tel Aviv) The Minister of
Agriculture Rafael Eitan (Raful) spoke to the gathering, as did
Deputy Minister of Education Moshe Peled. Knesset
Member Benny Elon was eloquent in his stirring message
to the demonstrators. Throughout the two hour
demonstration, the Shofar was blown continuously,
emitting the sounds in the same stirring manner and
cadence of Yom Kippur! Our message to the Jewish
People and to our Members in the Knesset was important
and urgent: We called upon our fellow Jews to become
aware of what is going on in Hebron. We called upon
all of Israel and our Knesset Members to act
immediately; to refuse to approve any Agreement which
creates still another city of refuge for Arab murderers
in Hebron. To refuse to further arm the Palestinian
Police of Hebron, whom Netanyahu has correctly called
an army of terrorists, with weaponry which will be used
to kill Jews! We all are very much aware of the tragic
events in our History where pogroms and murder were
often practiced against us; we can not willingly let
ourselves be exposed to such murderous acts in our own
Land.
We have a long historical record of
caring and being considerate for all human beings, and
minorites, including the Arabs. That is why Arabs can
safely walk about in Jewish neighborhoods in Israel,
while Jews can not do the same in Arab areas. In many
a country we were prominent in the fight for civil rights
for all minorities, and we were oftentimes punished severely
for such activities by the ruling majority. Unfortunately,
where Jews were in the minority in Arab countries, we were
sorely persecuted and vilely discriminated against.
We must not allow ourselves to fall into the Arafat trap,
and that of a hostile media, of believing lies and false
accusations and skillful, but untrue, propaganda. Nor
should we be deterred by Arafat’s attempt to rewrite history
to make false Arab claims to this Land of Israel. We must
remain true to our Biblical Destiny, and staunchly defend our
right to live and natuarally grow in all parts of this, our
Promised Land.
Ruth Matar