Counter rally stands tall in Buffalo

This article was printed in the Buffalo Jewish Review
June 15 2007 issue (page 3)

Buffalo is definitely not known for its high profile political struggles. This was left to cities such as Montreal, with Universities like Concordia and McGill starring on the news every once in a while due to an over heated struggle on campus. During last Sunday nevertheless, Buffalo came a little bit closer to being a much more politically charged city.

Different organizations organized a big protest marking ’40 years of occupation’ in Washington DC on June 10, that included Women in Black, International Solidarity Movement and many more. A forlorn picture arises when some of the leaders of the organizations supporting the protest are either Jewish or Israeli.

Here in Buffalo, the Western New York Peace Center decided to organize a local Anti-Israel, Anti-Occupation protest of its own.

Daphne Zilber, the Western New York Campus Coordinator for StandWithUs (an advocacy organization that promotes education and understanding that will bring a secure future for Israel and her neighbors) organized a counter rally for the same day, coinciding with the one held in DC on Sunday. The purpose of the counter rally was to show support for Israel and promote a true peace in the Middle East, the kind that will guarantee security in Israel for generations to come.

The moment the Pro-Israel demonstrators approached the sidewalk on Elmwood Avenue, along side the Anti-Israel protestors they got a ‘warm’ welcome in the shape of angry calls for them to leave. They were yelled at by one of the protestors that for them to be there is “an act of aggression”. The yelling was also accompanied by plenty of lovely swearwords and attempts to create a violent incident; “try to punch me, let’s see you punch me…” said an angry-peaceful protestor to a guy holding an Israeli flag with pride.

Despite the constant attempts to incite, the Pro-Israel demonstrators kept their calm and held Israeli flags and signs stating “Israel is on the map to stay”, “Hamas, change your racist Charter” etc. There were a few heated discussions here and there, but nothing too drastic occurred. About 15 Western New York Peace Center protestors attended the protest, versus over 40 Pro-Israel protestors.

Bystanders and drivers honked their horns to show support for the Pro-Israel demonstrators, including one mysterious car that drove by a few times while waving an Israeli flag out the window and a card board figure of President Bush.

Says Zilber, “Professor James Holston from the English Department at UB was holding a sign that stated ‘Israel Out Now’. Such a sign clearly says to people that Israel should be out of the Middle East, not just out of the disputed territories. This act of hatred and Anti-Semitism offends me very much as an eighth generation Israeli. It is like claiming that all of the problems in the Middle East will disappear as soon as Israel withdraws to the 67’ lines. All we need to do is to take a quick look at what’s going on in the Palestinian Authority these days in order to realize that this is not the case.”

Zilber was happy with the turn out of the counter rally. “It is important for people to realize that we will not be silent while there are organizations who are openly calling out for the destruction of the state of Israel.

But here in Buffalo last Sunday, StandWithUs stood up to say, “Yes, we’re standing with you”.

Pro-Israel Rally in Buffalo... It's about time! :)

This article is taken from the Buffalo News

Depth of Mideast emotions evident in confrontation of demonstrators

By Katie Reedy NEWS STAFF REPORTERUpdated: 06/11/07 6:41 AM

Tempers flared Sunday afternoon in Bidwell Park on Elmwood Avenue as pro-Palestinian activists rallied alongside pro-Israeli demonstrators on the 40th anniversary of the Six- Day War.
The rally, which began at noon, was organized by the Western New York Peace Center on the pro-Palestinian side, while the counterdemonstration was led by Stand With Us, a national Israeli advocacy organization.
At least 80 people attended the event, which drew about 15 more pro-Israeli activists than pro-Palestinians.
Joanna Drzewieniecki of the Western New York Peace Center said that her group takes the position that many actions by Israel against the Palestinians, such as building certain settlements, have been illegal.
“We’re protesting this occupation,” she said.
Drzewieniecki said her organization believes that current policies are linked to other sources of violence. “This is one of the most important causes of all the troubles in the Middle East,” she said.
Daphne Zilber, campus coordinator of Stand With Us, said she believes that the pro- Palestinian organizers were ignoring the violence that occurs against Israel.
“I think it’s important for people to be educated on the subject,” she said.
Zilber, who was born in Israel and now lives in Buffalo, said her experiences have shown her the importance of “reality rather than ideals.”
“I spent last summer in a bunker,” she said, explaining that she lived in a town near Lebanon during the fighting last year.
Demonstrators held flags, signs and banners on both sides of the street. While the rally was largely peaceful, several protesters, who stood intermingled, engaged in heated arguments.
Many other participants were also very vocal.
“It’s a genocide. . . . Israel has lost its moral compass,” said Irene Wolffson, 86, of Amherst.
“Israel has the right to possess the land that was given to them by the United Nations,” said Jamie Lynn, 24, of Buffalo.
“Arabs have rights in Israel; there are Arab representatives in the Knesset,” said Wendy Miller of Buffalo, supporting Stand With Us.
Othman Shibly of Williamsville, who attended the pro-Palestinian rally with his three children, called for a two-state solution.
“As we celebrate our own freedom on July Fourth, we should celebrate the freedom of others,” he said. “. . . We need to see a Palestinian state exist.”
His daughter, Thawab, 16, was dismayed by the divisions.
“I don’t like how everyone won’t talk to each other,” she said. “. . . Everyone is so polarized.”
The protest took place in conjunction with national and international rallies and demonstrations in commemoration of the Six-Day War. In Washington, D.C., the groups United for Peace and Justice and the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation staged a protest that was met by a counterdemonstration including groups such as Stand With Us.

Night to Honor Israel

There are rare moments in life, when our hearts is truly fulfilled with happiness and we are proud of our heritage, culture and values. A moment just like that happened to me and many other Jews that attended the ‘Night to Honor Israel’ in Rochester, NY on March 25^th 2007.

Organized by Christian Congregations, CUFI (Christians United for Israel), Eagles’ Wings and many more, this night was a magical experience and a wonderful success. With nearly 1,800 people in the audience and great speakers and performers, we could all sense the honest support these people have for Israel.

Pastor Ron Domina from Rochester did a fantastic job hosting the event and read a meaningful speech, emphasizing the connection between Christians and Jews today, reminding everyone that the basis of Christianity relies on Judaism. He called out for every Christian to go back to their roots and to support Israel.

Rabbi Shaya Kilimnick from Congregation Beth-Shalom of Rochester also spoke about the importance of supporting Israel at times like this, when there is a true threat to its existence.

David Brog, the executive director for Christians United for Israel was another keynote speaker at the event. He mentioned how important it is to build bridges between the Jewish and Christian communities and let go of the past. After hundreds of years of persecution he says, there is a new Christian generation that values the Jewish roots of Christianity and believes with all its heart that it is crucial to be there for Israel.

Representing the Israeli Consulate of New York was Sharon Regev, the Consul for Public Affairs. She made a great speech as well, thanking the Rochester community for their wonderful support. Regev is new to her position and was very excited to be working with the Jewish and Christian communities of Upstate New York.

The highlight of the night was when Robert Stearns, the leader of Eagles’ Wings, sang ‘Jerusalem of Gold’ in perfect Hebrew. ‘Jerusalem of Gold’ was written after the establishment of Israel, when Jews were not permitted to visit the Western Wall. The song talks about the yearning of the Jews to go back to that ancient Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem and pray at the Kotel. After the Six Day War in 1967, when the old city was under Jewish control again, another verse was added to the song, telling how the Jews were finally going back to the old wells and squares.

As an eighth generation Israeli, witnessing this tremendous show of support for my home country, I was left speechless. It is not everyday that you see almost two thousand people, most of them Christians, singing, cheering, clapping and praying for Israel and peace.

Having gone through quite a few Anti-Semitic incidents at the University at Buffalo and seeing anti-Semitic and anti-Israel speakers flooding the campus with hate speech, it was shocking to see such level of love and true hope for peace. This evening proved that there is another voice out there that does support human rights, mutual understanding and coexistence. It truly exists and it is loud and clear. It is important that we, as the Jewish Community embrace that voice and work together for a better future.

Quick update

I know I haven’t updated this blog in a very long time. The past month has been so busy and hectic, there was just no time left for anything else. I flew back to the US on August 21st, and only after I landed here I began to digest everything that I went through this summer. Many people keep asking me about my summer and it seems that every time I start to answer I almost start to tear.

It feels like my sleep is still restless. I keep dreaming that missiles are hitting my house. This dream comes back in different variations, once I’m in my house and the war is still going on, on another it’s actually a nuclear war and I’m trying to find my way in a huge empty bomb shelter, trying to find my family and friends and can’t seem to.

This is already the forth week of the semester, which is completely unbelievable, time just flies by. Only yesterday I landed in Israel to spend a fun summer and now I’m already deep into studying and working. I also moved to a great new place and it’s wonderful.

My surgery has recovered well and I am able to dance again. Last Friday I went out Salsa dancing with some friends and on Sunday we went Swing/Ballroom dancing. I missed this ‘normal’ routine a lot. And even though I am extremely busy at least I have something to complain about.

This brilliant article was written by a Christian Arab and I believe it summarizes this war perfectly. Please feel free to forward this article on.


Israel's terminal illness
By Joseph Farah, www.WorldNetDaily.com
August 18, 2006

"We've all known brave soldiers who fought courageously in multiple conflicts only to succumb to lingering and debilitating illnesses years later.

Likewise, history tells us of nations that never lost a battle in combat only to die because they lost their sense of purpose, their will to survive.

I think that's what is happening in Israel today. I think the Jewish state is terminally ill.

Israel may have won three major wars in its 60-year history, but it will be lucky to survive another decade of morally bankrupt leadership.

It's not just former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon who is comatose. It seems the whole current Israeli government is brain dead.

How else can one explain Israel's agreement to Lebanon cease-fire terms that amount to unconditional surrender?

I know few other commentators who have explained the development in these stark terms, but this is the reality of what Ehud Olmert's government has done. It represents, in my opinion, one of the biggest strategic blunders in the history of the country.

Let's review what Israel has done:

It launched a war on Iran-directed Hezbollah terrorists after they kidnapped two Israeli soldiers, killed eight others and rocketed northern Israel towns. From the beginning, Israel demanded the return of its troops and the disarming of Hezbollah terrorists.

What did Israel get in the cease-fire deal? No return of the kidnapped troops and Hezbollah terrorists remain under arms.

For the life of me, I don't understand why Israeli civilians are not massing in the streets of Jerusalem demanding the immediate resignation of Olmert and his Cabinet. The Israeli army is returning from Lebanon with its tail between its legs.

How can you ask soldiers to kill and die for a simple objective that is later abandoned without explanation or reason?

Does Olmert not understand what his surrender means? It means he has given aid and comfort to Israel's enemies. He has handed Hezbollah its biggest victory since former Prime Minister Ehud Barak unilaterally withdrew from Lebanon, handing the southern part of the country to Iran's proxy army and positioning it to claim it had defeated the Jewish state.

He has also proved to Israel's other terrorist enemies – those in
Hamas and the Palestinian Authority – that rocket attacks, assassinations and kidnappings are winning tactics against the Jewish state. Prepare to see more of them under the terms of this "cease-fire."

He has demonstrated for the entire world that Israel has lost the kind of resolve it had in previous military campaigns. When the going gets tough, today's Jews evidently will just sue for peace.

Hezbollah has won. That's the unimaginable bottom line after this conflict. The terrorists have won – not in the battlefield, mind you.
But they won before the war ever began because weak-kneed, cowardly, morally unfit leaders in Jerusalem would never permit Israel to win.

With Hezbollah's victory, Iran and Syria have been emboldened as well. This is bad news not just for Israel, but for the entire world.

If you think I overstate the case, ask yourself this fundamental question: Is Israel more secure after abandoning its conflict in Lebanon or less secure?

You know the answer. Everyone knows the answer.

Israel may have one of the greatest military machines in the world.
It may have an intelligence apparatus that is the envy of superpowers. It may even have right on its side.

But Israel is being led by men unworthy of its history, unworthy of its sacrifices, unworthy of its hard-fought victories of the past and unworthy of God's sovereign promises to bless the Jewish state forever.

It's clear the only enemy that could ever destroy Israel is the kind of internal moral rot we are witnessing today in Jerusalem. Israel has just one shot at surviving its terminal illness – cutting out the cancer that is the Olmert government."

Almost over

Tomorrow I’m flying back to the US and a million thoughts are running through my mind. Looking back I would have never imagined that this is how my summer was going to turn out. These were extremely eventful and unexpected two and a half months. I experienced sadness and fear in levels I never thought possible, and now I have stories to last me a lifetime.

Saying goodbyes and leaving is always the toughest part and the least favorite. Israel is always my home, no matter where I am, home is where the heart is, clich? yet so true. I hate the packing part, it’s time consuming and I always feel as if I forget something. I also never seem to pack light and am always yelled at the airport for being overweight. The suitcases that is, not me…

Even though I don’t agree with the terms of the ceasefire it was somewhat comforting knowing that I am not leaving in the middle of a war. Most Israelis don’t believe this ceasefire will last for obvious reasons – if 6 years of relative quiet were used by Hezbollah in order to keep arming, it is clear what this time is used for. It was already mentioned that they regained 90% of the ammunition that was destroyed by the IDF. Only time will tell what the future has for us.

Surprises

It's been the most interesting and fun couple of days I've had in a while. My mom woke me up yesterday around 1pm after another sleepless night. It turned out there was a reporter from a big American network who wanted to interview a good English speaker and my mom recommended me. I barely dragged myself out of bed and before I knew it we were chatting outside, in my house's beautiful front porch and broadcasting to different stations around the globe.

The reporter was a very sweet lady and we all decided to go on a Katyusha 'hunt' together, meaning let's see the damage before it's repaired. I must admit, it was terrible. The reporter wanted to record my responses as I was approaching the shattered houses for the first time but I really didn't know what to say. In an unusual way I was left speechless. I was completely amazed by the amount of damage one Katyusha can cause, as I was watching shreds in areas I didn't think were able to be hurt.

One of the houses that got hit belongs to good family friends and it was so sad to see what happened there. One of the things my mom mentioned over and over again was is that no amount of money could replace a sentimental value of house that gets hit by a missile. A person puts their heart and soul into a house over the years and in a split of second it can all be gone.

We ended up spending almost the rest of the day with the reporter and later on her colleague joined us too. It was very interesting talking to two incredible ladies who experienced very much and traveled around quite a bit about the situation. Being Israelis and all we obviously told them our point of view on the situation and had a nice conversation. It's wonderful getting different points of view on every situation and have an intellectual debate. We don't always have to agree but as long as we're open minded, anything is possible.

And on that note, Layla tov :-)

After 3,970 Katyushas...

After 3,970 Katyusha missiles and thousands of mortar bombs, anti tanks missiles and anti aircraft missiles the quiet has finally returned to the north. For me it too another week and a half in the Tel Aviv area, many sleepless nights and 4 hours on a completely packed bus with heavy traffic to go back home.

As the bus was approaching the north everybody started looking out the windows, trying to determine what has changed, what is ruined, what is burnt…? Even the bus driver was slowing down announcing in the microphone that we should take a look around and assess the damage.

The bus was filled with people, after the government announced that public transportation towards the north is free with a valid ID that shows your northern address. Many people had to stand up during the whole ride, the whole 4 hours! I don't understand why they didn't allow more buses; don't they understand that people were anxious to go home after 5 weeks away?

The damage was soon very clear to all of us, seeing the acres of burnt woods, which will takes years and years to grow back. One of the biggest tourist attractions of the Upper Galilee is the endless green and woods, which is now gone. In Kiryat Shmona we could see the destruction clearly where every few houses there was one that got hit, a broken rode, a traffic light that is now gone and tons and tons of bomb shreds.

The roads to Metulla are in horrible shape too, and not just because of various halls due to Katyusha that fell around, but also because of the heavy army traffic of tanks and such, it will probably take years to fix all that. Reserves soldiers are everywhere here, some are laying on a small grassy area not far from my house, trying to catch up on some sleep after fighting for days and weeks. My mom invited some of them to stay at our house, take a shower, eat or even just relax. I bet no one appreciates home like they do. When I was in the army I learned to appreciate my house so much, and I wasn't a fighter at all. Imagine weeks of fighting in the middle of nowhere, with a couple of hours of sleep a night, terrible canned food and no showers.

This war has brought along many heart to heart conversations between my dad and I regarding the situation, politics and most of all war stories. My dad did his army service in the armor forces, which is a part of infantry. My dad was 20 when the Yom Kippur war started, during his regular service. He was telling me how my grandma thought he was in Be'er Sheva (a city in the Negev, southern Israel) during the war, when he was in fact fighting in the Sinai desert and in the Suez Canal against the Egyptians. My dad lost 40 of his unit friends, as they were killed right in front of him. It is amazing to think how a person can survive such a war and have a normal life with such emotional baggage.

For 155 soldiers and civilians, Jews, Christians, Muslims and Druze, who lost their lives from the terrible Katyusha missiles and in the battle field, this ceasefire is almost meaningless. Their families will never be the same again. For 604 injured civilians and a similar number of injured soldiers who lost arms, legs, got their faces demolished, some paralyzed, some who will never be able to be independent ever again life is also changed forever. Over 2,000 civilians have anxiety injuries and will need psychological care for a very long time before returning to their normal lives.

Yehi Zichram Baruch.

Updating

Photo fraud in Lebanon

Mercy to the Cruel is Cruelty to the Mercifull

Two of the soldiers that were killed yesterday both left pregnant wives, six month pregnant no less... All I could think of is how will these women move on after loosing their husbands? I was thinking of the personal pain I felt through when going through a breakup from a boyfriend I loved. If just a breakup from a boyfriend, not a husband, who is still alive, without a mutual child, could hurt so much, I can't even imagine the pain on loosing a husband. It was impossible holding back the tears when I was watching the widow sobbing.

This unfair terrible reality of death all around is impossible to comprehend. 24 soldiers died yesterday, 5 more died today. Well over 100 soldiers got injured. The numbers keep being updated and it won't stop. This movie gives a good idea of what it feels like...

The huge increase in missile attack makes the ceasefire that is supposed to start in 7 hours seems ridiculous. The battles around my house are loud and don't stop for a single moment. The IDF is trying to accomplish as much as possible and destroy as much Hezbollah as possible before they must stop. I feel that whatever we didn't accomplish in 33 days of fighting we probably aren't going to accomplish tonight.

There's a sentence in Hebrew that says: "Mercy to the Cruel is Cruelty to the Mercifull". Think about the meaning of this wise sentence. Israel will not bomb when there's the slightest doubt or suspect that civilians are at steak even though chances are these civilians cooperated with terror and let it go on without trying to stop it. This high morality is costing us at the lives of our own soldiers, while terror keeps growing at these countries who don't try to stop it but more so encourage it too!


Palestinian using children as shield, what else is new?