I have just returned from spending several weeks in Israel and witnessing the evolution of the recent crisis first hand.
I toured the areas in the north that were hit by Katyusha rockets. Rockets designed to do only one thing; kill human beings. I held in my hand the deadly shrapnel deliberately packed into these missiles by Hezbollah to inflict maximum carnage.\nI visited Israeli leaders and showed them how your support has allowed ADL to engage in a campaign to expose to the world the true and horrific face of Hezbollah. I was also able to share with them the news that 16,000 ADL supporters signed the pledge of solidarity demanding the release of the three Israeli soldiers abducted by Hamas and Hezbollah. In a campaign of terror supported by Iran and Syria, Hamas and Hezbollah have been the aggressors targeting innocent Israeli civilians, and Israel has responded by defending its citizens.
The threat to Jews isn't confined to Israel. Since the outbreak of the fighting in Lebanon, we have seen a spike in anti-Semitism around the world. Here at home, the worst case was the fatal shooting at Seattle’s Jewish Federation. The sovereignty of Israel and the safety of the Jewish people are inextricably linked. The stakes are high and this is the real implication of Israel defending itself from unprovoked attacks.\nWith terrorist states sworn to destroy them, Israelis are facing one of the most challenging times in their history. Still, they are buoyed by the support of those around the world who are doing all they can to stand with them in their defense of the Jewish state. On their behalf, I thank you.
I toured the areas in the north that were hit by Katyusha rockets. Rockets designed to do only one thing; kill human beings. I held in my hand the deadly shrapnel deliberately packed into these missiles by Hezbollah to inflict maximum carnage.
I visited Israeli leaders and showed them how your support has allowed ADL to engage in a campaign to expose to the world the true and horrific face of Hezbollah. I was also able to share with them the news that 16,000 ADL supporters signed the pledge of solidarity demanding the release of the three Israeli soldiers abducted by Hamas and Hezbollah. In a campaign of terror supported by Iran and Syria, Hamas and Hezbollah have been the aggressors targeting innocent Israeli civilians, and Israel has responded by defending its citizens.
The threat to Jews isn't confined to Israel. Since the outbreak of the fighting in Lebanon, we have seen a spike in anti-Semitism around the world. Here at home, the worst case was the fatal shooting at Seattle’s Jewish Federation. The sovereignty of Israel and the safety of the Jewish people are inextricably linked. The stakes are high and this is the real implication of Israel defending itself from unprovoked attacks.
With terrorist states sworn to destroy them, Israelis are facing one of the most challenging times in their history. Still, they are buoyed by the support of those around the world who are doing all they can to stand with them in their defense of the Jewish state. On their behalf, I thank you.
Sincerely,
Abraham H. Foxman
National Director
