Media Releases – January 1997
January 1997
January 6, 1997 Biographical Sketch of Ruth Matar
January 6, 1997 Ruth Matar Speaking Tour
January 15, 1997 Anticipated Retribution
January 15, 1997 The Dilemma of the Jews
January 20, 1997 Nadia Matar On What the Nationalist Camp
Has To Do Now
January 22, 1997 The “New” Hebron Agreement Spells Further
One-Sided Concessions
January 23, 1997 Trees Know No Boundaries
January 28, 1997 A Tree Grows In Hebron
January 29, 1997 “A Commission of Inquiry – Who Can Find?”
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Jerusalem, January 6, 1997
Biographical Sketch of Ruth Matar
Ruth Matar was a renowned designer and maker of
jewelry and Judaica, in her gallery-workshop and home
in the Yemin Moshe Quarter of Jerusalem. She and
myself are co-leaders of Women For Israel’s Tomorrow,
known popularly in the Media as Women In Green
because of the rakish green hats we wear at our
innovative weekly demonstrations.
The way she puts it, Israel’s house was on fire, and
she was not going to silently allow what she went
through as a little girl in Austria, to be repeated
here again in Israel at the hands of the Arabs. A
Holocaust survivor, she saw all the forewarnings,
which stirred her to action, and today she is a
vigorous participant in the activities of the Women
For Israel’s Tomorrow, which she helped form.
She is a gifted journalist and writes weekly articles
for the Jewish Press in New York, as well as other
magazines and newspapers. Oftentimes we together
write frequent Media Releases concerning important
issues of the day affecting Israel and the Jewish
People on which Women In Green take a stand. As
verified by the last elections, Women In Green
represent the views of the majority of Jewish People
in Israel and abroad.
We organize and actively participate in the weekly
street theater demonstrations of the Women In Green,
mainly in Jerusalem, but throughout Israel, as well,
and abroad, as the occasion calls for it. We have
many Chapters of the Women In Green abroad, including
in Los Angeles, Toronto, New York, Philadelphia,
Baltimore, and Chicago, Detroit and Teaneck.
All of the Women In Green are volunteers.
They are secular and religious, professionals and
housewives, but include many men as well. As the
leading Israeli newspaper aptly put it: Women In Green
is “the most authentic and exciting popular resistance
movement to have arisen here in Israel in the last few years.”
An excellent and dynamic speaker in her own right,
this intelligent Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Hunter
College in New York, is an astute analyst of what is
happening here in Israel. She is able to convey a
vivid picture to you of what is actually going on in
your spiritual homeland, and to clearly show why you
and your children have a vital personal stake in Israel.
She is the mother of four children all of whom reside in
and around Jerusalem, and is a grandmother of fourteen.
She proclaims for all to hear that no Jewish, or any other
Government, can take away from her and your children and
grandchildren,their historical and inherent rights to
the Promised Land.
Nadia Matar, Co-Chairwoman
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Jerusalem, January 6, 1997
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 2 624 5380, 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, January 15, 1997
Anticipated Retribution
The traditional Memorial Service, which
Jews hold on the 30th day of the death of a loved one,
was held for Ita and Ephraim Tsur, who lost their lives
as a result of a murderous Arab terrorist attack.
Thousands attended, including the Women In Green, in a
delegation led by Anita Finkelstein of Tekoa. The father
of the family Yoel Tzur spoke eloquently, among others,
and a March from the Bet El Township along the road
leading to the site of the terrorist attack was held.
Trees were planted in the memory of the deceased.
The ceremony in and around Bet El in the
“territories,” was followed by still another terrorist
attack a few days later in the heart of Tel Aviv, just to
remind the Jews of what lies in store for them, Oslo
notwithstanding. It is difficult for some Jews, and the
world at large, to comprehend that the PLO existing Charter,
does not exclude Tel Aviv as a legitimate target for the Arabs,
and that re-deployment of the Israel Defense Forces in
the territories is just a stage with regard to Arafat’s
ultimate aims and purposes. As far as America and Europe
and the various nations in the UN who pander to the
Arabs, they are willing to take the necessary risks
involved with the Oslo Accords, since only Jewish lives
are at stake. But they are wrong. A world which allows
the murderer Arafat to run havoc in the Middle East,
cannot escape responsibility for his acts. That is what
the Jews have been believing for some thousands of years.
They gave such concepts to Christianity and to the
Muslims, that there is only one God, and that He demands
of mortals that they live in accordance with basic
morality and justice. A necessary corollary to such
demands is that murderers must be punished if a workable
world order is to continue to function.
The doctrines preached by the Arafats
of this world are not new. It is the old “ends justify
any means being used” philosophy, and murder of women and
children are included in the bag of “means.” Deceit, and
chicanery are legitimate weapons, and untruths, and guile
are perfectly permissible. So murderers are “tried” in a
rushed procedure in order to prevent their being turned
over to a court of law and order which would mete out
just punishment for their heinous acts.
A world run by a Just God will not
tolerate such hocus pocus, and sham. Those who “pray” in
churches and mosques can not consistently continue to act
as if what Arafat is perpetrating here in the Middle East
is to be overlooked, because of the “justice” of his
cause. Justice and the toleration of murderous acts,
particularly where women and children are concerned, are
in apposite. What the Prophets of Israel forewarned
throughout the ages still holds true. Even in this
imperfect world, there will be punishment to those who
tolerate such murderous acts. It is against the very
nature of the continued existence of mortal man on this
planet for a society to permit murder to go unpunished.
Yet that is just what Arafat is attempting to pull off,
and the world looks on IN SILENCE. What a formula for an
impending catastrophe!
The murderers of Ita and Ephraim Tzur
have not been handed over to a Court of Law which would
render a verdict based on the universal morality which
the Moslem religion should be required to adhere to as well.
Moreover, President Clinton has not demanded extradition of
the known murderer of the American David Boim, even though he knows
exactly where that murderer is being shielded within the
Palestinian Authority’s bailiwick. President Clinton
continues to ignore the specific American Law enacted to
bring terrorist murderers to justice in America, when
murder of Americans is committed abroad; such was the
case of David Boim, murdered on his way home to Jerusalem
from school. To tolerate such immorality cannot
possibly leave those who do so go unscathed. How can
America and the world stand by and allow this murderous
situation to continue to exist? If the history of man on
this earth teaches us anything, expected disaster will
follow to all involved in allowing murder to go virtually
unpunished. If one cannot defy the laws of physics, one
cannot likewise defy the basic laws and principles of
morality and justice which are required to be followed
with regard to murder, if indeed there is to be a chance
for a meaningful peace in the Middle East, and for that
matter in the world at large.
Arafat and his immoral concepts about
praising murderers of innocents, and his deafening
silence when Arabs kill Jews, cannot be adopted by the
nations without bringing upon themselves the censure of
mankind and history. What is even more certain, however,
if such history is any proof, it will bring upon
everyone who has been a party to this immorality,(even
those who have “suffered” same in silence), the deserved
retribution from the One God of all mankind, to whom we
all of us turn to in prayer, from time to time.
Ruth Matar
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Jerusalem, January 15, 1997
The Dilemma of the Jews
Everyone knows the “Agreement on
Hebron” isn’t worth the paper it is written on.
Everyone knows that Arafat is not to be trusted.
He has not honored even the few commitments under
Oslo he has undertaken. The PLO Charter has not
been amended. He has not turned over known murderers
of Jews, who he is protecting within his bailiwick.
He has not clamped down on those terrorist groups who
are still freely allowed to operate within his
jurisdiction. He has permitted demonstrations where
large gatherings burn the Israeli flag and express the
venom against the Jews which Arafat himself feels; (he
has often expressed, in Arabic, praise for the
murderers of Jews, whom he calls martyrs and heroes.)
He tells his compatriots that any agreement he signs
is worth nothing, as he will abandon it at the first
opportunity that he can do so. All this is known to
the Jewish leaders, the Americans and the Europeans,
yet the inexorable process continues, which everyone
realistically knows is leading to the destruction of
Israel.
How is it possible? How is it to be
explained? Everyone knows that disaster is lurking,
yet nothing is being done to protect the Jewish People
from the inevitable catastrophe that lies in store for them.
We Jews know from our long and bitter experience from
the Holocaust and other tragic events in the history
of our People, that we cannot rely on anyone but ourselves.
There are a few voices who are “shouting
from the hilltops,” after easily recognizing the
present sad and impossible situation. The pygmies
amongst us typically, and cruelly, label them as
“inciters,” “troublemakers” “fanatics” and worse.
They criminally attempt to silence these calls for
salvation.
Where is a Moses to lead us out of
this mental slavery and to extricate us from this
pending disaster? Unfortunately, as was seen in the
not so distant Holocaust, even under such ominous
forewarnings as existed then, the Jewish People did
not rise up until it was too late, but instead acted as lambs
being led to slaughter. Then, we did not have an army
to protect us, or a Land which we could call our own.
The irony is that today we have the means and the ability
to adequately protect ourselves. However, do we have the
“will,” the courage and the unity to act, as did our ancestors
of old, to preserve all the miracles which brought about
the revival of the present Jewish State?
Ruth and Nadia Matar
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Jerusalem, January 20, 1997
Below is a letter written on Internet by Nadia
Matar, a leader of Women In Green, in answer to an inquiry
as to what the nationalist camp is to do, now that the
“Hebron Agreement” has been signed and approved in the
Knesset.
Dear Gary,
Indeed your question is an interesting one. I
see the situation as follows: In the past elections, the
large majority of the Jewish People voted against the
utopian-post-Zionist “New Middle East” of Shimon Peres,
basically saying “no” to the continuation of the Oslo
agreements, a la Shimon Peres-Meretz; instead, they voted
for Bibi Netanyahu.
The Bibi Netanyahu they voted for was the Bibi
Netanyahu who said that he will continue with Oslo on one
condition: “Reciprocity”, i.e. if Arafat will finally
abolish the PLO Covenant; hand over the murderers of Jews
who sought refuge in the areas he controls; limit the police
force; etc… (there are tens of other violations).
People like myself, who think that the Oslo Agreement
should be brought to a halt completely, were ready to
compromise for that kind of Prime Minister, because of the
lack of an alternative; however, on condition that he at
least keep “reciprocity” as basic and mandatory before taking
any further action under Oslo. ( By the way, if he would have
stood firm, and would have properly explained to the public,
other foreign governments, and the media the reasons for this
stand, his position would have been accepted by the world at
large, for the most part, as being reasonable.)
The disappointment came when Bibi caved in to
pressure almost immediately. He was found to be a good
writer of books, but the wrong person to lead the country.
I can say for certain that those who are disappointed
in Bibi, are not some fringe element in Israeli society. It is
the MAJORITY of the Jewish People who feel betrayed!
The irony is that the Hebron Agreement is not
being accepted by the Jewish People both here in Israel and
those residing abroad, but is being accepted in the Knesset,
thanks to the Arab vote, the minority left-wing and Labor vote,
and the votes of those in the coalition who have betrayed
their ideology and their promises to the public before the
elections.
This fact, surprisingly, warms my heart and
gives me hope in these difficult times. Our present
leadership may be weak and greatly disappointing. However,
the fact is they do not represent us, AM YISRAEL. The
majority of the Jewish People have not given up its homeland!
The Jewish People still believe in the Zionist dream of
their Prophets, and their Bible. The Jewish People understands
that whoever gives up our right to Hebron, will have no moral
claim to Tel Aviv, Haifa, the Galil, and Nazereth; moreover,
whoever agreed to give up Hebron, will eventually agree to
divide Jerusalem because of the same pressures being brought
upon them! The big test is now. Are the People of Israel
going to stand up together and fight for its historical homeland
and for its beliefs; or are they merely going to cry over
spilt milk and commiserate with each other about how bad
their lot is, and how many enemies they have?
And now to your question about what do we do now,
after this Hebron fiasco? Well, first of all, we all know that
we are heading towards a big war in the near future. By signing
the Hebron Agreement, Bibi simply postponed the “big bang” and
further weakened the morale of our people. Yesterday, we
received a report from a Congressional Committee which states
that the Arab countries are preparing for a major united war
against us, together with the Palestinian Authority. The report
goes on to relate that the Palestinian Authority particularly
is in league with Syria in the fight planned against us. It
is little consolation, that Shimon Peres historically will be
responsible for having brought about such a war, and the
resulting Jewish casualties.
The question is what do we do about it. First and
foremost, we have to UNITE under a NEW LEADERSHIP that truly
represents the Jewish People, and its historical interests.
By that I mean we have to find a new candidate for Prime
Minister for the next elections. But that is not enough!
The disappointment is not only with Bibi Netanyahu. We are
also disappointed with our “so-called leadership” in the
settlement movement such as the leadership in “Yesha”. They
seem to be paralyzed and impotent, and allow themselves a
luxury of indecision, at a time when forthright and decisive
action is called for. It is time that such leadership also
be replaced by a group which is more forceful and assertive
about its basic beliefs, and which demands of its Government
concrete action now, rather than empty promises for the future.
Such new leadership will bring its own pressure
on Netanyahu and other weak members of his coalition, by
openly, vigorously, and continuously demonstrating against
any inaction of the Government and clearly demonstrating to
the Arabs and to the world, the Jews rights to live, build and
expand in their ancient homeland of Judea and Samaria.
Such an upheaval and plan of action may seem to
be grandiose at present, but I believe it is not only possible,
but mandatory for Jewish survival. When I read our Jewish
history, especially about what wonderful and courageous Jews
did in fighting the Anti-Semitic British Administration of the
British Mandate, and the then naive and corrupt Jewish leadership,
it inspires a call for action in our own times. It is time that
we organize and unite the majority of the Jewish People to action,
and not allow ourselves to be ruled by those whose narrow vision
represents a threat to Jewish survival.
It is the nationalist camp that alone has the desire,
and strong determination to survive as Jews. We alone are the
ones who educate our children to love the Jewish People and their
homeland, and impart in them the moral and ethical values which
Judaism has given to humanity. Children who receive such an
education know why they belong to this Land. As proud Jews, they
know why they have to fight and defend this Land of their forefathers.
They know they represent the past, present and future of their
ancient People. They know they are protecting the right of the
Jews both here and in the Diaspora to visit or live in any part
of their historical homeland.
The “Hebron Agreement” will go down in history as a day
of infamy and a cause for mourning for the Jewish People. But it
will not break us! The “Inquisition” did not break us. The
“Holocaust” did not break us. The oppression of the “British
Mandate” did not break us. These “criminal” and “anti Zionist”
Oslo Accords will not break us either. Agreements are reversible,
especially where we are the only side that is keeping them, while
the other Arab side, openly continues to seek our destruction.
The only “Agreement” which is not reversible, is the “Covenant”
which God made with the Jewish People, uniting the Jewish People,
the Torah of Israel, and Land of Israel as one and indivisible.
Let us get to work. There is much to be done if we are to save
our People.
Nadia Matar
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Jerusalem, January 22, 1997
The “New” Hebron Agreement
Spells Further One-Sided Concessions
The die had already been cast. The “Hebron
Agreement” was going to be signed notwithstanding any
protest. That appeared certain. It seemed, therefore,
futile and hopeless to mount any protests against the
inevitable. Nevertheless, Women In Green felt that even
for the sake of history and posterity, it was necessary to
record that a great many Jews openly did not agree with
Netanyahu’s act of continuing to turn over portions of our
ancient and sacred homeland, in this instance large
segments of Hebron, to declared enemies of our People.
Accordingly, on Monday, January 13,
1997, in front of the LaRomme Hotel in Jerusalem, where
the negotiations with the Palestinian Authority were being
held, and on Wednesday, January 15, 1997, in front of the
Prime Minister’s Office, where the Cabinet decision on the
approval of the initialed “Hebron Agreement” was expected,
Women In Green mounted vigorous protests in behalf of the
Jewish People in Israel and abroad. In the presence of
Knesset Members who understood the significance of such
abandonment of parts of their homeland, firm statements
were delivered by NADIA MATAR at the respective
demonstrations, pointing out the illusory basis for the
contemplated IDF “redeployment.” It would bring neither
peace nor security.
On the contrary, it would only lead to
further murders of Jews, with a new Hebron “haven of
refuge” for such murderers; the results would be further
humiliations to the Jewish State, and the loss of morale
to its Jewish citizens. Realistically, despite the
written Agreement on Hebron, Netanyahu would do nothing
about Arafat adhering to the Palestinian Authority’s
obligations thereunder. The proof is that Netanyahu has
done nothing about the outstanding breaches by Arafat of
the prior Oslo Accords with regard to the known murderers
of Jews who are being presently sheltered in PA areas.
Significantly, even with regard to the “new” Hebron
Agreement promising further Israeli withdrawals, Netanyahu
was unable to obtain a fixed definitive time when Arafat
and the PA would finally comply with the obligations they
undertook in the prior “Agreements” which they signed.
Such a failure has ominous implications, and continues, in
effect, the one-sided Israeli compliance theory of Arafat,
which has been so successful for the Palestinian Authority
to date.
Ruth and Nadia Matar
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Jerusalem, January 23, 1997
Trees Know No Boundaries
The announcement by Prime Minister
Netanyahu that he would donate his anticipated raise
in salary to the Jewish National Fund, raises some
interesting questions. Does “Bibi” mean by such choice
of the JNF as the recipient of his “hard earned money,”
that he also adopts their questionable policy of not
planting trees over the “green line?”
One way to answer that question in
a very clear cut fashion has been afforded the Prime
Minister by Women In Green. Today, Thursday,
January 23, 1997, at approximately 10:15 A.M., at or
near Beit Hadassah, we have scheduled a planting of
trees in the ancient Jewish City of Hebron. The date
on the Jewish Calendar is appropriately the Jewish
Holiday for planting of trees, Tu B’Shvat. In
addition, Women In Green will distribute to each of
the courageous Jewish families in Hebron, a plate of
holiday treats. Our small gift is in appreciation for
the magnifcent contribution to the Jewish People
everywhere, of each of the families living in Hebron.
Each of them is personally responsible for the vital,
and continuing historical Jewish presence in this holy
city of our forefathers. By Women In Green planting
in Hebron, we are symbolizing our faith and
determination that there wil always be a Jewish
presence and growth in this former Capital of Israel
and King David.
What better way for Prime Minister
Netanyahu to back up his oral promises about Jews
being in Hebron forever, by publicly announcing to the
JNF that they should use a portion of his publicly
announced donation, to assist Women In Green in the
planned tree planting ceremony today! Such a clear
message would perhaps give the JNF and their
leadership the courage and incentive to declare a
needed reaffirmation of that organization’s former
beliefs, instead of the present policy of abandonment
of their Zionist ideology. At the same time it would
disclose to Jews everywhere, the present “true
intentions” of the seemingly ever changing positions
of Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Ruth and Nadia Matar
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Jerusalem, January 28, 1997
A Tree Grows In Hebron
Yes, the Jewish families of Hebron need the
support and protection of World Jewry at large. But
World Jewry, and Israel in particular, need the Jewish
Community of Hebron to grow and prosper in the
interest of the meaningful survival of Jews
everywhere. Scholars and historians all recognize as
a major factor in the survival of Judaism, and the
Jewish People, the importance of the Sabbath. The
presence and growth of the Jewish Community in Hebron
is no less important to Jewish survival today. It is
inextricably related to our rights to Jerusalem, and
for that matter is the basis of our right to the Land
of Israel itself. But beyond that, Hebron is, and can
be, a vital source that feeds Jews everywhere with the
necessary spiritual sustenance, and justifiable pride
in an ancestry which has contributed so much to
humanizing mankind.
The Biblical ancestors of the Jews,
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Leah and Rebecca were
extraordinary individuals, spiritually and otherwise,
and to have such an enviable ancestry is an
extraordinary treasure, the likes of which few
people on this earth possess. The burial sites of
these spiritual giants are located in Hebron, under
a building erected by the Jewish King Herod more than
2,000 years ago. Having ready and easy access to the
Tombs of these Patriarchs and Matriarchs in Hebron is
a lifeline to the past, present and future for world
Jewry. A visit to these ancient ancestral sites,
provides a perspective and gives meaning to the purpose
of the life of each individual Jew. In the presence
of such illustrious ancestors, the dignity and stature
of each visitor is lifted to greater heights and he or
she is more capable of withstanding the cruel prejudices
that are oftentimes experienced living abroad as a minority.
And make no mistake about it. If there is
no Jewish Community living and thriving in Hebron,
Jews will not be visiting this ancestral wellspring of
eternal pride, dignity and inspiration. Few Jews living in
Israel today will risk the dangers of visiting a
hostile Arab city. Thus, in instances where there are
Jewish Biblical Holy Sites located in the midst of
present wholly Arab inhabited communities, Jewish
visits to such sites are few and far between. How
much more so will Jews living abroad be fearful to
visit such a Judenrein Hebron! The track record of
Arab control of Hebron in the past, which forbade
Jewish entrance into their own Herod building, is an
indication of what lies in store for the Jews, were
the Arabs to control this Jewish holy site. Moreover,
statements by the present Arab mayor of Hebron
indicate that little has changed from the former Arab
discriminatory practices vis a vis Jews and even
Christians.
Nor is the Arab sector of Hebron a
physically attractive place to visit. The Arabs are not
imbued with the love of this Land, as have been the Jews
over the centuries. Perhaps this is best demonstrated
by the Arab Community’s seeming indifference to the
frequent incidents of forest fires that are proven to
be deliberately started by Arabs to protest against
the Jewish presence in Israel. No Jew would ever
desecrate his holy land in this way, nor would the
Jewish Community tolerate for a moment such heinous
acts.
Moreover, Jews, with far less financial
resources than the Arab world possesses, have built up
the virtual wasteland of Israel that Mark Twain found
here in his visit during the middle of the last
century. The Jews alone are responsible for changing
Israel from a desert into a physical Garden of Eden.
The Arabs have come to the Hebron area from
neighboring Arab States during the last one hundred
years, because the Jews have once again revived the
Land of Israel, beautified it, and made it prosper.
During the time the Arabs have been here, they have
done virtually nothing to enhance its natural beauty,
and instead have made the sectors where they reside in
Hebron into places of filth, terror and physical ugliness.
On Tu B’Shvat, the Jewish Holiday of Planting,
Women In Green, appropriately brought three lovely
developed trees to plant outside of Beit Hadassah in
Hebron to help beautify the small cramped Jewish
Quarter where the Jews presently reside. In contrast
to the Arabs, who plant trees on Jewish land to lay
the basis for a claim to such land for political purposes
or personal economic gain, our Group planted on
Jewish owned land with the consent of the Army, for
the sole purpose of enhancing the beauty of Israel
and Hebron. It had been raining rather heavily the
day before, and even that morning; whereas most of
the tree planting ceremonies had been canceled
because of the bad weather, Women In Green were
determined to go ahead, notwithstanding. Miracle
of miracles, the sun suddenly broke out, and the
ceremony was gloriously conducted in sunshine,
as if the heavens were smiling approvingly on this
important act of faith. In addition, our women
personally distributed to each and every one of the
brave Jewish families in Hebron a plate of holiday
treats. It was a small token of appreciation in
behalf of Jews everywhere, for their heroic effort in
behalf of the Jewish People in maintaining a Jewish
presence in this ancient Jewish City, the former
Capital of Israel and King David. They daily expose
themselves and their children to the hostility of the
Arab Community presently living there, and to a repeat
of the Arab pogrom that occurred in Hebron in 1929.
At that time the Arabs extinguished temporarily a
Jewish presence in that holy City, which had been
continuous close to 4,000 years.
We Jews, no matter where we live,
benefit greatly from the sacrifices of these special
people who daily are putting their lives, and those of
their children, on the line, in behalf of the Jewish
People. They deserve our help and active support.
They also deserve our unceasing recognition and
acknowledgment of their major contribution to the
continuation of the long, and virtually unbroken chain
of the Jewish People’s presence and history in Hebron.
That is where our forefathers lived and died, and
Hebron must form a necessary and vital part of any
rebirth of our homeland and the Jewish nation.
Ruth Matar
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Jerusalem, January 29, 1997
“A Commission of Inquiry – Who Can Find?”
Future historians of Israel, looking back at
the hullabaloo caused by the proposed Bar-On
appointment as Attorney General, will be bemused
by the lack of proportion shown. For days this matter
has taken up the attention of the public, the opposition
political parties, and certainly the media. On the one
hand, in a classic “Joe McCarthy” gambit, there are
claims of secret supporting evidence which cannot be
disclosed, and a police investigation is launched to
look into the grave charges of improprieties on the
“highest level.” Yet, where abundant evidence is
patently available on the culpability of former high
ranking Government officials of acts bordering on
treason, there is hardly any “upset” or discussion by
the media pundits; nor apparently is anyone else interested
in holding those involved to a level of accountability, in
a far more serious situation of dealing with an avowed
and dangerous enemy of Israel, Arafat. He has murdered
Jewish children in the past, praises those who continue
to do so, and has declared the destruction of Israel as
his ultimate aim.
Former Chief of Staff Dan Shomron, who for a
brief period of time was identified with the “Third Way”
political party, and has been one of the chief negotiators
in the recently signed Hebron Agreement, has leveled the
gravest of charges against Shimon Peres and Yossi Beilin,
and otherleaders in the “opposition”; yet the accusations
of this seemingly impartial negotiator on so basic a matter,
are virtually ignored. Shomron, without a political ax to
grind, accuses Peres and Beilin of traitorously advising the
Palestinian enemy during the negotiations about IDF
withdrawal from Hebron, against the interests of the Government
and the Jewish People. To quote General Shomron: “The
situation was weird. The previous Government people
like Peres and Beilin, continued to work with the
Palestinians.” Moreover, General Shomron went on to
say, “The Israeli media encouraged it. The feeling was
that they were supporting the Palestinian side.”
Labor which had ludicrously seen to it that
“their” Attorney General indict for sedition the
Nationalist Leaders of Zo Artzeinu, has been completely
silent about these disloyal and imprudent acts of their
leaders. The will of the electorate was defied by Peres
& Beilin. They carried on their Hebron negotiations on
the side of the Palestinians, and against the duly
elected Government. Here there are no cries for a
“Commission of Inquiry” by anyone. Why the deafening
silence? There should be shouting from the rooftops at
such acts of disloyalty! It is no wonder then that
Peres and Beilin were wisely rejected by the electorate.
They were people who illegally negotiated with the PLO
at a time when it was a crime to do so. Now they
continue their criminal and disloyal ways to justify the
failing Oslo peace process which they disastrously
initiated, to the great detriment of the Jewish People.
Ruth and Nadia Matar