Media Releases – Jan-Feb 1998
January-February, 1998
January 6, 1998 Dennis Ross is Not The Solution — He Is Part Of Our Problem!
January 19, 1998 A Suitable President For A Jewish State Who Can Find?
February 3, 1998 Purim Party
February 3, 1998 Hiding From Reality
February 8, 1998 Perfidy
February 10, 1998 “Shove The Bible….”
February 12, 1998 N. Chazan Responds, R. Matar Replies
February 17, 1998 Purim Party Journal
*************************************
Jerusalem, January 6, 1998
Dennis Ross is Not The Solution —
He Is Part Of Our Problem!
One of the things Israel must
continually learn is not to be overawed by mortal
nations, no matter how large and powerful they may be.
The Jewish People has survived the tyrant and the well
meaning, and are here today because of only one reason,
the Lord on High. The Psalmist warned us thousands of
years ago not to put our trust in princes, and the
wisdom of that perception has withstood the test of the
ages.
What is incomprehensible is that
Clinton continues to move relentlessly ahead with a
hopelessly failed Oslo, with the accompanying mounting
pressure on Israel to further redeploy; there is no
commensurate pressure on Arafat to comply with his
unfulfilled Oslo commitments. The U.S. State
Department has no remorse whatsoever over the terrible
catastrophe it caused by pressuring Israel to redeploy
from large segments of Hebron, exposing the Jewish
Community there to daily bombings, and mortal danger;
the latest shocking incident of a bomb being tossed into
a Jewish children’s playground brought no special
comment by Clinton. It is only when deaths are caused
that he will parade his expressions of horror, soon to
be forgotten.
Instead, President Clinton is once
again sending his Court Jew palliative, Dennis Ross, to
the area. The device of sending a Jew to negotiate
matters where Jewish interests are involved is not new,
and almost always hurts the Jews. The Court Jew
bends over backwards to show he is not favoring his
“brethren.” The other side accuses him nevertheless of
that very action, which further maintains the pressure
on the “negotiator.” There are few Jonathan Pollards
among the Jews. Most like Kissinger, and Albright, are
thoroughly assimilated Jews, whose ultimate interest is
furthering their own careers, even if it be at the
“unfortunate” expense of harming the Jewish People.
That is why Women In Green will join
in the protest initiated by Rabbi Menachem Felix, who
lost a beautiful young daughter to Arab terror not long
ago. We will be there to express our anger at the
return of Dennis Ross to the region. The resignation of
Foreign Minister David Levy, and the present budgetary
crisis are enough for Israel to concentrate on. It is a
callous and injudicious act on the part of President
Clinton to insist on sending Ross, especially at this
time. We shall be at the Laromme Hotel in Jerusalem at
6:00 P.M. today telling Dennis Ross to “Go Home” and give
us some breathing time to determine for ourselves what is
necessary to secure the well being of this Jewish Nation
and its People.
Ruth and Nadia Matar
*************************************
Jerusalem, January 19, 1998
A Suitable President For A Jewish State Who Can Find?
We do not have a healthy situation among the Jewish People
on the Israeli scene. Perhaps the most hurtful and painful aspect
is the present practice of seemingly everyone acting in what they
believe to be their own self-interest. The “national good” is not
even seriously considered. An excellent example of this
deplorable phenomenon are the actions of the Members of our
Knesset. The decisive criterion for most of our Knesset
Members is to protect their own seat in the Knesset, or to
further the narrow interests of their Party.
The upcoming election in February for the next President of
Israel highlights this very point. Ezer Weizman, the present
incumbent in that office, has announced that he is a candidate
for a second term. He has already rushed forward with
endorsements from various establishment figures such as Mayor
Ehud Olmert, who believe their own personal careers and future
warrant backing Weizman, no matter how unsuitable he has shown
himself to be to hold such office. Ezer Weizman has made many
solid and important contributions during his military career to
the State of Israel, and all of us must be eternally indebted
to him on that account. However, in his first term of office as
President he has shown himself to be totally unsuitable for that
role. He has repeatedly overstepped the bounds of his office and
sowed disunity, promoting his own narrow concepts, oftentimes
more interested in gaining attention to himself and his views,
rather than acting in a manner which would bring dignity to his
office and to the State of Israel. Moreover, he has made inane
observations on the Bible, revealing his complete ignorance of
Judaism and his Jewish Heritage. He is unable to change his
personality at this late stage of his life, nor is he capable of
bringing Jewish content to the Presidential office.
In marked contrast to the unpredictable behavior of the
incumbent, is the candidacy of Professor Yirmiyahu (Jeremiah)
Branover, which from every salient consideration would warrant
his election as President in February by the Members of the
Knesset. A world renowned Professor of Physics at Ben Gurion
University, he is soft-spoken, urbane, warm, humane, intelligent,
modest and witty; Professor Branover would make an ideal
President, and add luster to that office. He is, moreover, a
practicing and believing Jew, thoroughly immersed in, and very
knowledgeable of Judaism and his Jewish Heritage. There are few
nations of the world who are blessed with such a candidacy by so
outstanding a personality. What then is the problem? Why is he
not a shoo in for election to the Presidency of this Jewish
State?
Unfortunately the worrisome answer lies with action that may
be taken not on the basis of the merits. The majority of the
Members of the Knesset will not necessarily act on what is best
for the Jewish People and for the State of Israel; nor will they
decide on the basis of the only relevant criteria: who is most
qualified? Who will best promote the image of our Jewish State?
Professor Branover is clearly the best candidate for this
important position. We must call, write, and fax all the Members
of the Knesset to insure that a majority of them elect him as
President in February. We cannot allow ourselves to neither
“slumber nor sleep” until this is accomplished.
Ruth and Nadia Matar
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*************************************
Jerusalem, February 3, 1998
Purim Party
Sponsors of the Purim Party (Committee in Formation):
Shoshana and Eitan Ben David; Mendy and Naomi Blank; Gemma Blech;
Alan and Bonnie Cohen; Izzy and Edith Davidowitz; Sidney and Gaby
Finkelstein; Al and Doreen Jacob; Curtis Katz and Barbara Oberman
Katz; Izzy and Sharon Katz; Sandy and Gloria Kestenbaum; Jack and
Etti Levenstein; Barry and Sue Liberman; Yossi and Renee
Margolis; David and Nadia Matar; Michael Levi and Ruth Matar;
Jacob Matar; David and Yael Medved; Gloria Menzin; Larry and
Anita Noble; Ben and Sonya Rabinowitz; Yaacov and Hani Schapiro;
Earl and Lee Shindell; Eli and Frieda Stern; Herbert and Miki
Sunshine; Marty and Marise Zerobnick; Mr. and Mrs. Anonymous(I);
Mr. and Mrs. Anonymous (II).
Dear Member, Friend and Supporter,
We are initiating our annual dinner this Shushan Purim, without
speeches! This is no Purim Shpiel. Add your name to the growing
list of sponsors, or just send in your reservation.
The Purim Masquerade Party will take place on Shushan Purim
(Thursday evening), March 12, 1998, at the Beit Orot Yeshiva,
adjacent to the Hebrew University on Mount Scopus. Our aim is to
raise sufficient funds to help cover Women In Green’s annual
budget. That budget includes our popular monthly tours to
familiarize the Jewish People with the beauty and significance of
their Holy Land; the bringing of toys, games and books to the
children of the exposed yishuvim during our said monthly
visits; placing ads by way of cartoons and articles presenting
Zionist views that the readers of newspapers in Israel would not
otherwise read in their slanted press: covering expenses related
to the radio shows of Women In Green in Hebrew, English and
French here in Israel and abroad; these shows attempt to bring
about a proper balance in the presentation of the news and the
serious issues confronting our People; publishing our newsletter,
maintaining our Web Site on Internet, and issuing our well known
and respected Media Releases; and in general fostering our
educational work teaching the love of this Land and justifiable
pride in our magnificent Heritage.
We have chosen this Masquerade Costume Party on Shushan Purim, so
that your entire family can celebrate this lovely holiday in a
manner befitting this joyous occasion. We promise you good food,
marvelous and hilarious entertainment, all in the spirit and
atmosphere in which Purim should be celebrated in Jerusalem. We
shall have a wonderful Megillah reading, but if you choose to
hear the Megillah elsewhere, you can join us later; there will be
a buffet table for children in a separate area, with suitable
food and children’s entertainment, including clowns, magicians
and jugglers.
We plan to have several dignitaries celebrating Purim with you at
this Purim Masquerade Party, and they will be competing with you
for prizes for the best costumes in different age categories. The
Purim entertainment will include a Male Beauty Contest; Amateur
Nite Contest; Skits; and much more, all in good taste, and
appropriate for this Purim event. We invite your creative
talents, inspirations, ideas, humor, and innovations. Please
email, write, fax, or phone us about your willingness to help.
You may recognize some of the prominent sponsors who will be
attending. Make your reservations as early as possible to insure
a place for your family at what will surely be the event of the
year.
The couvert is $100 per adult, $50 for teenagers age twelve to
eighteen, and for children under twelve, $18 per child. For
larger families we have a special family rate. We are having a
Purim Gazette instead of a Journal. Those who are able to obtain
ads in the Gazette* addressed to the Women In Green, or any of
its members and friends, would be entitled to one free adult
ticket to the dinner for every $250 in ads raised.
Don’t delay in getting your reservations in as early as possible
to insure places for you. Be sure to spread the word of this
happening to all of your friends and relatives. If you have any
people who you think would be interested in receiving this letter
or a formal invitation, please send us their names and addresses.
A formal Purim Party Dinner invitation, and forms for ads for the
Gazette will be available shortly, and sent to you.
We are very enthusiastic about this affair. There is no better
and fun way for a Jewish family to celebrate Purim in so joyous
and meaningful a manner.
With Warm Purim Greetings,
Ruth and Nadia Matar
Tear off and use the Temporary Form Below To Place An Ad. (More
Formal Forms Are Being Printed.)
—————————————————————–
*The prices for Ads (which should be in a humorous vein in the
spirit of Purim) are:
Full Page in Emerald Green: $3,600.
Full Page in Purim Techelet (Blue): $1,800.
Full Page in Lily White Esther: $1,000.
Half-Page: $500.
Quarter Page: $250.
Eighth of a Page: $125.
Greetings: $36.
Listing your name as a friend or supporter: $10.
We are pleased to submit the following Ad to be placed in your
Gazette:
Nature and Size of the Ad:
Person or Firm Placing Ad:
Address:
Message:
Our check in the amount of ____________ in payment of said Ad is
enclosed.
*************************************
Jerusalem, February 3, 1998
Hiding From Reality
A direct line runs from the early Palestinian
terrorist chief Haj Ahmin Mohammed El-Husseini, Grand
Mufti of Jerusalem, to present day PLO leader Yasser
Arafat. Arafat’s full name is Abd El-Rahman abd El-Rauf
Arafat El-Qud El-Husseini. The Mufti was a close relative
and he, and senior PLO spokesman Faisel Husseini, are
intimate family, and are both very proud of their common
forebear.
In the May 1994 edition of the Middle East
Intelligence Digest, a Christian publication,
there is the famous picture of Hitler sitting with the
Mufti of Jerusalem in Berlin in 1941. This picture had
been prominently displayed at the Holocaust Museum in
Jerusalem until the initiation of the Oslo Accords, when
it was suddenly taken down. (No doubt the promoters of
Oslo thought this picture would remind everyone that the
Mufti’s relative, Arafat, was chosen by the ruling Labor
Party to be Israel’s ” peace partner” under Oslo.) The
Museum claims it does not know where the picture is today.
The same sort of denial can be found among the
advocates of the Oslo Process. They ignore the hatred and
violence against the Jews which Arafat encourages, as did
his relative the Mufti. It was the Mufti who was
responsible for the pogroms here in Israel in 1929 and
again in 1936. The taking down of the Hitler-Mufti
picture from the Museum’s walls, showing their active
collaboration, is no different in approach that the
attempt to have Arafat visit the Holocaust Museum in
Washington.
Both approaches are cosmetic and fail to go to the
root of the matter. Hatred of the Jews will not be
eliminated by ignoring its existence. Nor can a blind eye
be turned to the causes of its perpetuation by Arafat
through the PLO propaganda network and in his system of
education. Nor is the memory of those who were ravished
in the Holocaust properly honored by inviting the same
type of murderer to view a Museum showing the manner in
which Jews were inhumanely slaughtered. It should be
stressed over and over again, that not one word in Arabic
has ever been spoken by Arafat calling for peaceful co-
existence with the Jews and Israel. For him to visit the
Holocaust Museum so that his hardened heart would be
softened by viewing the atrocities committed on the Jews,
is an exercise in futility. He will witness what he has
been engaged in on a smaller scale, executed by a master
on a grand scale. Oleg, the cartoonist, captured it all. In
his cartoon Arafat, emerging from the Museum with a great
big smile on his face, reveals his true feelings by
saying: “I really enjoyed that visit very much.”
Women In Green, as a public service, placed this
cartoon as an Ad in the Jerusalem Post and HaAretz
newspapers this past Friday, even though Arafat never did
visit the Washington Museum. Arafat, amusingly, told the
media his busy time schedule did not permit it. The State
Department had twisted the arms of the Museum’s Trustees
to issue an invitation. By not going, Arafat did not have
to face embarrassing reporters’ questioning on his
reaction to the Mufti-approved atrocities of Hitler. The
“head in the sands” policy grinds on. President Clinton
and Madelaine Albright refuse to recognize the immoral and
evil nature of Arafat, an ardent friend and admirer of
Saddam Hussein. American foreign policy ignores Arafat’s
ultimate aim in his staged process to destroy Israel.
Israel cannot ignore it. Israel does not have the luxury
to “hide from reality.”
Ruth and Nadia Matar
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*************************************
Jerusalem, February 8, 1998
To the members of our list,
Although the following media release is coming to you after the
fact (due to technical difficulties), we wanted you to be aware
of our activities and also to know the background to today’s
other article “Shove the Bible….”
In addition, we would like to encourage you to subscribe to the
list of one of our close allies in the fight for Eretz Israel —
“Professors for a Strong Israel” — at e-mail:
ariehz@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
* * *
Perfidy
On Sunday Evening, February 8, 1998 at 6:30
P.M. in Beit Hillel Auditorium, at the Mount Scopus
Hebrew University Campus in Jerusalem, “The Future of
Jerusalem” will be discussed by the leading PLO
representatives, Hanan Ashrawi and the late Grand Mufti
of Jerusalem’s heir apparent, Faisal Husseini. Faisal
is very proud of his viciously anti-Semitic great-uncle,
the former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, and has never
disassociated himself from any of the latter’s hateful
views.
To top it all off, the evening is being sponsored
by the Hillel Foundation, a purported Jewish campus
organization. Unfortunately, this type of blasphemous
activity is typical of Hillel’s programs, which do little
to instill pride in, and recognition of the Jewish student’s
glorious heritage. No comparable activity would be possible
or would ever emanate from the PLO or any other Arab group,
who, no matter what else are their failings, have pride in
themselves and their Muslim-Arab heritage.
Women In Green, will join with Yerushalayim Shelanu
(Our Jerusalem) and others, in protesting this sacrilegious
meeting sponsored by Jews. Not only is such discussion
contrary to our government’s standing policy that undivided
Jerusalem is the exclusive historical Capital of our Jewish
State, but such a discussion on Jerusalem is contrary to
traditional Jewish belief. For the Hebrew University and
the Hillel Foundation to give a platform in Jerusalem to
such a topic, with self-declared enemies of Israel, is a
sad commentary to what depths both these institutions have
sunk. They are virtually attacking in this manner, the very
foundations of a meaningful Jewish State.
Ruth and Nadia Matar
*************************************
Jerusalem, February 10, 1998
“Shove The Bible Up Your Ass!”
Naomi Chazan is a Member of the Knesset from the
Meretz Party. She was at the meeting last night
sponsored by the Hillel Foundation at the Hebrew
University Mount Scopus Campus. Faisal Husseini, a
high PLO official, and an adherent and proud relative
of the former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, was the main
speaker. The topic was “The Future of Jerusalem.”
The audience was a typical Meretz-oriented group,
crowded into the relatively small Hillel auditorium.
MK Naomi Chazan was seated prominently “up front.”
When Faisal Husseini got up to speak, a group of
“Women In Green,” including their leader, Ruth Matar,
also rose to protest Faisal’s audacious appearance at
this forum in Jerusalem. After all, Faisal Husseini
holds fast to the same hateful view of the Jews as did
his close relative, the former Grand Mufti, who
personally was responsible for the pogroms here in
Israel in 1929, 1936 and again in 1939, where many Jews
were heartlessly slaughtered. Moreover, for Husseini, a
leading PLO official, to be given a forum by Jews in
Jerusalem to discuss how historical Jerusalem is to be
taken away from them, is downright macabre.
The banner held aloft by the Women In Green quoted
the famous passage from the Prophet Isaiah (62:1) which
reads: “For the sake of Zion, I will not hold my peace.
And for Jerusalem’s sake, I will not rest….”
Whereupon a voice rose up from the audience, loud, clear
and distinct, which everyone in the hall unmistakably
heard: “Shove the Bible up your ass!” A smile appeared
on the face of Naomi Chazan at this vulgarity, and
Faisal Husseini’s bulbous face burst out in joyous
laughter, too. And to top it all off, there was
spontaneous applause from the audience following this
sacrilegious remark.
The silence of Naomi Chazan, a Member of Israel’s
Legislature, is a thunderous condemnation of the lady
herself, and her movement. It is a true measure of her
attitude of intolerance and dislike of religious Jews
as well as her opposition to the existence of a Jewish
State. Moreover, her prominent appearance at such a
gathering clearly reveals Meretz’s willingness to
relinquish control over Jerusalem. She and Meretz
were quick to unfairly condemn Netanyahu for not
speaking up when someone in a mass gathering held aloft
a picture of the late Prime Minister Rabin in a Nazi
uniform before the election. Here, when she clearly
heard a condemnation of Judaism and our Holy Bible, she
was significantly silent. What hypocrisy! How
ludicrous that a young Jewess, Tatiana Susskin, is jailed for
two years for her pig’s head poster of Mohammed, while
MK Chazan sits in silence as Judaism is being debased,
and as Moslem Faisal Husseini is enjoying a big laugh at
this abominable smear.
Ruth and Nadia Matar
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*************************************
Jerusalem, February 12, 1998
Naomi Chazan Responds, Ruth Matar Replies
THE KNESSET
MEMBER OF THE KNESSET
10 February 1998
Ms. Ruth Matar
Women In Green
Fax 02 624 53880
Dear Ms. Matar:
I was both surprised and offended to
receive a copy of your fax regarding the
panel discussion on “The Future of
Jerusalem” at Hebrew University Sunday
night. Given your completely distorted
description of the course of events, I
am hard-pressed to believe that you were
actually present at the entire
discussion. As such, I feel compelled to
respond briefly to your grossly
inaccurate and inflammatory comments.
First of all, you are absolutely incorrect
in saying that I responded positively to
the audience outburst about “shoving the
Bible up your ass.” In fact, I was quite
appalled by the remark. During my
opportunity to comment on the discussion,
I made what I believe to be an explicit
condemnation of this and the other
provocative statements made that evening
by saying that it is perfectly fine to
disagree, but that we need to find a way
to “disagree in an atmosphere of
respect and understanding. If I can
quote my own remarks, “Words can kill.”
Second, your accusations that I dislike
religious Jews and that I oppose the
existence of the state of Israel are
almost too incredible to deserve a response.
Both of these accusations are totally and
completely preposterous.
Third, my position on Jerusalem is quite
clear. The only way to attain just and
lasting peace in our region, and thus
the best interest of Israel, lies in
establishing Jerusalem as a capital for
two states in the context of a fair and just
agreement between the Israeli and
Palestinian peoples. I appreciate the fact that
you disagree with me, but I request that
you treat me and my views with the
same degree of dignity and respect I am
willing to grant you and yours.
Sincerely,
NAOMI CHAZAN LS
Professor Naomi Chazan
Deputy Speaker of the Knesset
* * *
February 10, 1998
Naomi Chazan
Deputy Speaker of the Knesset
Fax 02-6753 450
Dear MK Chazan:
I have your fax of February 10. The silence you demonstrated
following, in your words, “the audience outburst about ‘shoving
the Bible up yourass,'” and the joyous laughter following such
“audience outburst” quite visibly exhibited by Faisal Husseini,
the main speaker that evening, belies your weak explanation of
your outrageous silence. If indeed you are proud of being the
“Deputy Speaker of the Knesset,” you showed the Knesset no honor
by your deplorable behavior of sitting in silence while the
audience in question applauded the words which you admittedly
heard. A Deputy Speaker of the Knesset is not permitted to be
silent when a desecration of the Jewish People and their Bible
occurs in her presence.
Yes, Ms. Chazan, I, a Holocaust survivor, was there, as you were.
I heard your audience tell me, because I carried a banner quoting
our Prophet Isaiah, that it was too bad that the Grand Mufti
didn’t get me, and that the Nazis didn’t include me in their gas
chambers. Indeed, if we are to find a way, as you claim is
necessary, “to disagree in an atmosphere of respect and
understanding,” your silent behavior in the face of what took
place in your presence is proof that your nice words and what you
practice are not the same.
Our wise Jewish tradition tells us that you cannot associate with
murderers,and come away clean. You have never demanded of Faisal
Husseini that he disassociate himself publicly from his grand
uncle’s vicious murder of Jews. Instead you keep on talking about
a just and lasting peace with the PLO, which refuses to amend
their Covenant to destroy Israel, and continues to teach hatred of
the Jews in their schools. Agreements, as you have seen with Oslo,
mean nothing to the PLO. Your ploy of not owning up to the fact
that you are opposed to a Jewish State of Israel is easily seen
through. No one accused you of being opposed to the existence of
Israel. What I did accuse you of is that you are opposed to the
existence of the Jewish State of Israel. Your deception does not
help an understanding of the issues involved.
As to your anti-religious attitude, it is well known. In fact, as
you know, our women were unceremoniously removed from the hall
because we dared display a banner reminding the audience of what
one of their great Prophets said about Jerusalem. I, therefore,
did not hear your belated attempt to address the vulgarities that
occurred, admittedly in your presence. However, what was reported
to me was that you did say: “You cannot have democracy in Israel
without fighting the Haredim and what they stand for.”
Sincerely,
Ruth Matar
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*************************************
Jerusalem, February 17 1998
Nostalgia Page for Purim Party Journal — We need your anecdotes!!
As you hopefully know, the Women in Green is planning a gala Purim party
for Shushan Purim, March 12, G-d willing. The reason for this is not only
for supporters of the Women in Green to have fun together but for us also
to raise necessary funds to continue the very worthwhile work of the Women
in Green.
We are working hard on all aspects of the party; but what requires the
most work is the advertising journal. For that journal, I am presently
writing up a nostalgia page about the Women in Green from its very
beginnings to the present day. As I have not been in the Women in Green
since its inception, I do not know all the details of its humble
beginnings. Also, as much as I tried, I was not at every demonstration
and event that the was held by the Women in Green.
That is the reason for this letter: I need your assistance in putting
together a page of memories about the Women in Green for the Purim party
journal. Do you have a special anecdote about what happened to you at a
Women in Green demonstration or occasion? Did something amusing ever
happen to you when you were out on a trip with our group?
The journal has to be given in to the printer by Wednesday of this week so,
if you have a story which you think people would appreciate reading about,
I eagerly await hearing from you as soon as possible.
Looking forward to receiving a deluge of stories and anecdotes.
Thanks ahead of time.
Sincerely,
Etti Levenstein
My e-mail address is levenste@netvision.net.il
Phone no.: 02-561-9006