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! ***************************************************** 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 *************************************************** 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 MatarTop of Page | End of Page | What We Say Index Page | To Home Page
********************************************************* 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 ******************************************************** 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 MatarTop of Page | End of Page | What We Say Index Page | To Home Page
****************************************************** 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 ******************************************************** 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 MatarTop of Page | End of Page | What We Say Index Page | To Home Page
******************************************************* 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 ***************************************************** 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 MatarTop of Page | End of Page | What We Say Index Page | To Home Page
****************************************************** 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 MatarTop of Page | End of Page | What We Say Index Page | To Home Page
******************************************************** 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-chairwomanTop of Page | End of Page | What We Say Index Page | To Home Page
***************************************************** 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 MatarTop of Page | What We Say Index Page | To Home Page