A Day Of Hope
ROISMAN
from page 32
decision. The break was necessary for
all of us and gave some much-needed
normalcy to a very ugly situation.
But as awful as it was to see this
incredible country in pain and in tur-
moil, it was truly amazing to me to see
how life continued: to sit at a seder on
Passover night knowing that only a
few miles away the world was watch-
ing, yet another insane act of terror.
Here, I sat with people who shaped
this country, who fought in every con-
flict from the War of Independence in
1948 until the present day. Here I sat
with 92-year-old Safta Jenny, who
came to Palestine in 1936 as a young
Zionist from Germany. Here, I sat
across from Col. Alon Friedman, my
sister-in-law Anat's brother. His life is
dedicated to defending Israel on a
daily basis. The next day, he was back
at the Lebanese border.
I felt so lucky, so special to be
among these amazing people on this
truly unforgettable night.
Every year at the seder, we ask,
"Why is this night different from all
other nights?" This year, when that
•question was asked, I was overcome
with emotion and realized that, in spite
of any danger my daughter or I could
possibly face, I knew I was where I
belonged and where I had to be. ❑
rorism accountable. The Scottish ver-
dict closes 13 years of litigation and
permits families of the victims finally
to press civil claims against Libya's
government, with full U.S. govern-
ment endorsement.
"The president expects Libya to ful-
fill [its] obligations," says the White
House spokesman. "The court has
spoken. It's time for Libya to act."
Negotiations are indeed under way in
Paris, with the families demanding
more than $10 billion (or about $40
million per death).
Together, these three developments
suggest that Sept. 11 claimants are on
solid legal, factual and political
grounds in seeking compensation
from the kingdom. Should Riyadh
reject their claims, they can demand
per death as much as the Lockerbie
families, which would bring their
claim to more than $100 billion. It's
hard to think of a better way for ordi-
nary Americans to help fight terror-
ism than for the families victimized
by Sept. 11 to bring home to the
Saudis the costs of sponsoring this
hideous behavior. 0
he morning after my return
from the Israel rally in
Washington, D.C., I realize
the 18-hour whirlwind was a
kind of Shabbat katan, a miniature
Shabbat in which thousands of Jews
who gathered before the Capitol build-
ing had slipped into a parallel universe.
The universe of this Shabbat katan
was one in which Israel's right to exist
was shouted from the rooftops. It was ,
a universe in which Orthodox Jews
from Brooklyn cheered in unison with
Jews wearing sky blue T-shirts pro-
claiming, "Hoosiers for Israel." There
were youngsters in kippot and college
kids sporting dreadlocks. It was Klal
Yisrael (people of Israel) come to life.
Not since Refusnik days have Jews
joined together in such numbers. A
familiar irony: We seem to do this
only under global threat.
I was too young to march against
Vietnam. When feminist Gloria Steinem
and her cohorts burned their bras, no
way would I immolate the teeny
Maidenform I had badgered my mother
into buying. But this rally I was not
going to miss. I went because I was tired
of e-mailing lawmakers. I was weary of
T
Debra B. Darvick of Birmingham is a
freelance writer. Her work has appeared
in the Forward, Moment, Haddasah
magazine and other publications.
After months of ranting at
ranting at those TV reporters
the TV, it felt terrific to join
who haven't done enough
with those who had come out
homework to ask incisive ques-
in support of Israel. I clapped
tions. And I went to honor my
till my hands smarted after
grandfather Abe's memory. He,
like other dedicated Zionists,
U.S. Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski,
D-Maryland, called for a ces-
had had a direct hand in the
sation of payments to the fam-
founding of the State of Israel.
DEB RA B.
ilies of homicide bombers. I
Highways were clogged with
screamed myself hoarse when
buses heading to the rally.
D AR VI
former N.Y. Mayor Rudy
Word came via cell phone that
Comm unity
Giuliani proclaimed the truth
the New Jersey Turnpike was a
Vie ws
— Jerusalem's Christian holy
parking lot. We made it to the
sites are safer under Israeli rule than
rally with a quarter hour to spare.
Muslim. Natan Sharansky, Elie Weisel,
Blocks before approaching the West
Binyamin Netanyahu. I hooted, shook
Mall, we heard Hebrew music playing.
both fists to the heavens and thor-
Shivers raced down my spine the
oughly relished being a part of Israeli
minute I cleared the checkpoint and
— and American — history.
stepped onto the Capitol lawn. Would
By the day's new light, I wondered,
this rally occur anywhere but in America?
Would any other country alternate its flag "What will the rally achieve? I realized
the world still spun on an axis tilted
with Israel's so that they both waved
against Jews and the Jewish state. The
proudly in the gentle summer breeze?
Looking around, I was struck by the news media initially reported little else
but booing at Deputy U.S. Secretary
tenor of the signs. We rallied in sup-
of Defense Paul Wolfowitz's recogni-
port of Israel, not in denigration of
tion of Palestinian suffering. Secretary
Palestinians. No one waved a defaced
of State Colin Powell was set for
Palestinian flag. A few signs called
another meeting with Arafat. The cur-
Palestinian Authority leader Yasser
tains on Shabbat katan have closed.
Arafat a terrorist and a murderer.
But for one glorious day, they were
More numerous, though, were posters
open. I was there. And so were tens of
proclaiming American and Israeli
thousands of others.
unity against terrorism. These signs
Grandpa Abe, I hope you saw us. Am
were held by a people exhorted, since
Yisrael Chai (the people of Israel lives). ❑
their inception, to choose life.
.
Perspectives on Israel: a continuing series
CREATING SUICIDE BOMBERS
•
s r
spokespeop le c tabrrgeee dr eac nt l Israeli
ewhole
generation of suicide bombers." They claim it is racist to think they
have any responsibility for sending their kids to blow themselves up.
Palestinian
But Palestinian groups run a suicide factory. Arab-funded groups
indoctrinate, train and equip the murderers who are made heroes
and "martyrs" guaranteed heavenly rewards. They print posters
and trading cards with their pictures, repeatedly broadcast their
farewell videos, and parade their kids in the streets wearing repli-
cas of explosive-belts. Tens of thousands of dollars are given to
their families, who also become heroes.
The Arab dictatorships use their controlled media to tell their peo-
ple Israel is massacring women and children and attempting to
destroy their holy sites. Jews and Judaism are demonized, and
Zionism is identified as the world's biggest evil. They are told that
all media are Jewish-controlled so they can only believe Arab
media. They have never been told of the common humanity that
we share, or the extensive concessions for peace that Israel has
made.
• •
undoubtedly innocents have suffered. But it is the culture of hate and
martyrdom promoted in the Arab world, not the Israeli reactions, that
spawn suicide bombings and other terrorist acts.
For more information about this topic visit, www.israel.orq
Contact Congress today!
Congressmen Joe Knollenberg and Sander Levin continue their
strong support for the U.S.- Israel relationship, and work to pro-
vide Israel with military and economic assistance. Our commu-
nity needs to contact them to express our gratitude and support.
Via mail: Congressman Knollenberg or Levin at :
U.S. House of Representatives Washington D.C. 20515
Via e-mail: Congressman Joe Knollenberg:
rep.knollenberg@mail.house.gov , or Congressman Sander Levin:
slevin@mail.house.gov
Jewish
Commune
Council zgefev=,,,„;'
To learn more about how you can become an effective Israel advocate, visit www.jewishcommunitvcouncil.orq
4/19
2002
33