Protest Rally at Israeli Consulate: Helen Freedman of Afsi, Fern Sidman of Arutz7 and Raanan Isserof of Chabad

bs"d Why didn't Yesha Chairperson Danny Dayan or MK Yaakov Katz hold a demonstration against the destruction of Alei Ayin and Givat Aryeh like AFSI did in front of the Israeli Consulate?   Why are they not demonstrating on behalf of the budding communities slated for destruction such as Ramat Gilad, Migron, Givat HaUlpana in Beit-El, and perhaps many more.  Why are they so quick to condemn "settler violence" which perhaps as Ketzele suggest is due to Shin Bet provocateurs inciting disaffected youth into the act. AFSI, CHABAD and Friends including Notsrim are not shy to focus on the acts of violence perpetrated against Jewish Settlers by the Israel gov't who directs the IDF and by Arabs. Surely we must learn our lessons from Gush Katif.   A common tactic used by those who are guilty and do not wish to be prosecuted is to go on the offensive on their victim calling them the aggressor so that the victim is too busy defending himself against alleged crimes and have no energies left to prosecute. Let us not fall into their trap and be sidetracked.    WHY ARE JEWISH HOMES, SYNAGOGUES, COMMUNITIES BEING DESTROYED BY THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT?   By: Helen Freedman Director of AFSI   It is with a sense of disbelief and shock that we continue to hear about the program being conducted by the Bibi/Barack demolition crews in Israel. In the middle of the night, Destructo crews are sent in to small, hilltop communities, the inhabitants are thrown out of their beds, out of their homes, and into the cold night. Total disregard is paid to babies, nursing mothers, children, the elderly, and adults. Synagogues have been destroyed, private possessions thrown broken and littered along the ground, and lives are left in limbo.   Teenagers who should be enjoying the carefree years of youth, are left embittered and bewildered by the scenes of the IDF, the police, and Arabs, destroying their homes. The love and trust placed in one's parents and government is shattered. Where does one turn for security and protection? The disillusionment and despair is devastating.   Amazingly, there are those who are able to pick up the pieces and start all over again, and again, and again. It takes amazing physical and mental strength, but there are some who can do it.   But where are our leaders? Why is Bibi groveling and scraping before the world, allowing people to see Israel's shame and degradation? Why is President Obama intent on making Israel the sacrificial lamb? Why does it take a Newt Gingrich to announce what any honest person must know, that there is no "Palestinian" people, language, culture, heritage, and therefore no "Palestinian" entitlement to any of the land of Israel?    Below is the Arutz Sheva article by Fern Sidman, covering AFSI's Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011 protest against the demolitions. We have already lost Alei Ayin and Givat Aryeh. Slated for destruction are Ramat Gilad, Migron, Givat HaUlpana in Beit-El, and perhaps many more. All of this is intolerable. Please read the following article and contact AFSI with your ideas regarding ways in which you can help to stem the flow. We are desperate for your help.       http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/150663    US Jewish Right Speaks Out Against Destruction of Givat Aryeh  NY demo against gov't destruction in Itamar.  By Fern Sidman   Although it has always been the policy of right leaning American Jewish Zionist groups to avoid criticizing Israeli government policy in public, it seems that recent actions by the Netanyahu government are beginning to erode that policy, already severely shaken by the Gush Katif disengagement during PM Ariel Sharon's term of office. On Sunday morning, December 11, a large gathering of American Zionists gathered at the Israeli Consulate in New York to vocally express their protest at the recent decision by the Israeli government to demolish the community of Givat Aryeh.   Organized by Americans For A Safe Israel (AFSI), its executive director Helen Freedman who just returned from Israel on the organization's bi-annual Chizuk mission, told those gathered, "Just two weeks ago, we celebrated the dedication of a new Torah scroll that was presented to the residents of Itamar and Givat Aryeh in the Shomron by its sponsor, AFSI member Jack Ross. Now we are totally disheartened to learn that the destruction of this community was orchestrated by a decision of the Netanyahu/Barak government."     Calling the decision to bulldoze the synagogue and the homes of those residents in the Givat Aryeh community a "craven, cowardly and sacrilegious act", Ms. Freedman declared, "It is shameful and abhorrent that an ostensibly Jewish government in Israel would even consider destroying a holy Jewish synagogue, along with the homes and possessions belonging to its most loyal citizens."    Ms. Freedman added, "I had invited many rabbis and mainstream Jewish leaders to attend this demonstration. Many refused; saying that they didn't believe in criticizing Israel in public. I responded by saying, 'If your beloved is about to walk off a cliff, wouldn't you reach out to restrain him?'"    In a private interview with Arutz Sheva, Ms. Freedman said, "I believe it is because of our great love for Israel that we venture out together on a bitterly cold Sunday morning in December to denounce actions that are suicidal for our Jewish homeland. It is dishonest and un-Jewish to shake off that responsibility while pretending that it is in the best interest of Israel when we know it is self-destructive. As we approach the Chanukah season, we would do well to remember the immortal words of the brave Matityahu who said, 'All who are faithful to G-d, follow me!'"    Demonstrators held aloft Israeli flags along with signs and banners saying, "Build Jewish Homes and Schools: Don't Bulldoze Them", "A Two-State Solution is Indefensible", and "Save Judea and Samaria from Destruction".    Among the speakers at the protest were Pastor James David Manning of the ATLAH World Missionary Church in Harlem who was joined by a contingent of his congregants. As an outspoken supporter of Israel and a fervent Zionist, Pastor Manning said, "The Bible states quite clearly that the land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people for eternity and no one has a right to take that away. My congregants and I unequivocally support the Zionist cause and as a Christian member of the clergy I remind everyone that whoever blesses the people of Israel shall be blessed but those who curse Israel shall be cursed forever."    Echoing these sentiments was Raanan Isseroff, a representative of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement who reminded the protestors of the words of the Lubavitcher Rebbe who said that, "The land of Israel belongs to the people of Israel and is non-negotiable. It is G-d's gift to the Jewish people and there is no human being who can alter that fact."     With great emotion, AFSI member Jack Ross recalled that the Torah he had presented to the people of Givat Aryeh had been purchased and restored by him in memory of his parents who had survived the Holocaust. "I dedicated this special Torah to the memory of the murdered members of the Fogel family in Itamar and tragically, it was confiscated by the IDF on December 1 when both the community and synagogue of Givat Aryeh were destroyed."     In a powerful display of symbolism designed to graphically depict the devastating destruction that was wrought in Givat Aryeh, both Mr. Ross and long-time Jewish activist Charlie Bernhaut, held up a Torah scroll  (allowed as it was one which was deemed halakhically pasul), to represent the assault on Torah-true communities in Judea and Samaria by the Israeli government. Mr. Bernhaut enumerated the names of the communities that appeared in the Torah which was on display and told the protestors that "these are the very same communities that the Arabs claim belong to them. It is clear that we get nowhere when we attempt to appease our enemies."    David Jacobs, formerly of Staten Island and now a citizen of Israel who resides there with his family, spoke of his own daughter's Bat Mitzvah which took place in the Elei Sinai synagogue in the former Gush Katif region. Recalling the pain he felt when that synagogue was destroyed as well by the Israeli government when the residents of the 21 communities of Gush Katif were expelled in 2005, Mr. Jacobs outlined many of the flaws existing in the Israeli government today, and the difficulty Jews have in publicly speaking out about them.     Other activists such as Brooklyn resident Robin Ticker, Manhigut Yehudit spokesman Rob Muchnick, veteran AFSI volunteer Charlotte Wahle and Bob Unger, all delivered moving remarks about the crucial need to "recognize the fraudulence of the Arab claim to the land of Israel" and added that any discussions of "legal" and "illegal settlements" in the land of Israel are a misnomer considering that "we recognize that the entire land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people." Concluding the protest was professional singer and activist Bob Unger who led the protestors in an emotional rendition of "God Bless America" and "Hatikvah".

The best way to send a message to the detractors of Israel in the media, the Administration, and the public is by joining AFSI and becoming active with AFSI's work.  As a member, you will receive all our email alerts as well as email copies of our renowned monthly publication, The Outpost.  See past editions.     Protest Rally at Manhattan Consulate Israeli's safety was first and foremost on everyone's mind today, as protesters with a Torah scroll joined AFSI director Mrs. Helen Friedman to rally Sunday Dec 11th in front of Israel's consulate in Manhattan ● Full Story by Raanan Isseroff 17 Kislev 5772 (13.12.2011) Israeli's safety was first and foremost on everyone's mind today, as protesters with a Torah scroll joined AFSI director Mrs. Helen Friedman to rally Sunday Dec 11th in front of Israel's consulate in Manhattan. Joining with Helen were Reverend James Manning and some of his congregants as well as Crown Heights Committee for Shleimus HaAretz and many others who came to voice their protest at Israel's unfair actions to its own Jews. Givat Aryeh, a small hilltop village built and funded in memory of the martyred Fogel family killed so tragically earlier this year was destroyed this week. With it, was destroyed a synagogue and the villages pricey security system. The three Torah's were taken into custody and "booked" by police and by morning the village was no more. One of the Torah scrolls was a very special gift of Mr. Jack Ross of Rochester, New York. Mr. Ross prays at the Chabad Center in Rochester run by Rabbi Nechemia Vogel the Lubavitcher Rebbe's emissary there. The Torah donated had a story. A Polish sefer Torah, rescued from the Holocaust and restored at no small cost by a Lubavitcher sofer, was presented as a gift to the community of Givat Aryeh in November of this year. Located a bit North of Ariel and West, the windswept hill of Givat Aryeh overlooks the community of Itamar in the Shomron region of Israel. While there have been many "hilltop villages" destroyed over the last six years, none has so poignantly touched the nerves of Israelis and Jews around the world as this week's midnight destruction of Givat Aryeh, named after the murdered Fogel father Mr. Aryeh Fogel by Israeli forces. It brought home the irony of Israel's seeking to "dance at two weddings" on the world stage. On the one hand trying to keep its mission as the Jewish Homeland pure and at the same time seeking to make its foreign friends happy with gifts of Land.  All the while trying to make peace somehow with Israel's eternal destiny of G-d's restoring His exiles to Tzion and somehow never succeeding. This week brought home more than ever, the losing battle, Israel's government is waging against the fulfillment of its mission as a Jewish government over a Land that is not just the birthplace of mankind, but is uniquely gifted to its Jewish citizens. A mission the government has yet to come to terms with since its establishment in 1948. In another classic "we won a battle but are losing the war scenario", the government proved itself to be once again the unpopular supporter of Arab rights over those of its Jewish citizens. A battle it cannot win. Speaking at the rally, Reverend Manning reminded the Jewish listeners of their sacred mission and his fervent wish to join them in preserving the Jewish face of the Land of Israel. Mr. Jack Ross joined with another torah scroll that he brought from Chabad of Rochester. Speaking in 40 degree winds, Mr. Ross described how his father survived untold suffering in the infamous Lodz Ghetto until his liberation in 1945. "A gun was held to heads of the Jews of Lodz forcing them to do what they did" (meaning to other Jews). "They had no choice." Turning to the Israeli Consulate Mr. Ross pointed: "But Mr. Netanyahu has no gun to his head! Yet in 1992 he was the first in Likud to give away land (Hebron). Today, he still gives away land.  But where is the gun?" Mr. Ross's inference to Israel's putting Jews in danger at the beck and call of foreign powers was not lost on the audience.  Nor was his inference comparing the Lodz Ghetto's infamous Jewish police who gave over Jews to be killed to Israel's feigned excuses of "helplessness" as they legally clear Biblically Jewish land of Jews. Land that was bought or won in wars in which Israel was attacked and by miracles won. Israel's rush to satisfy foreign entities appears to take clear precedence over its interest in the safety of Israel's Jews. A point a number of speakers brought up. Today, Israel has still not rescinded its commitment to give away major parts of Jerusalem, keeping up building restrictions, recognizing new pre-1967 borders as "established" and refusing to reestablish the West Bank as a legal part of Israel. This is in spite of the West Bank's warlike posturing that has not ceased and has in fact increased with each land concession. Gaza too, a little 7 mile wide by 15 mile long area is a constant source of missiles into Israeli areas.  Facts, Israel conveniently ignores as it moves forward to continue the Peace Process. Yet to the ire of the Israeli public, these areas are not being reclaimed as part of Israel. Instead, they are allowed to continue being a source of murder and destruction for Jews. And will continue to be, until Israel finally listens to the clarion call of logic, good sense and the need to ensure the safety of Jews in Israel by retaking all the areas including Sinai that it so foolishly gave away like some lentils for a national heritage. In keeping with the theme of Chanukah, speakers pointed out the hard fight that the Maccabees had against the "political Jews" of that time. Jews who put their faith in the Greek nation first. Much like today, where Jews around the world look to the nations of the world for the very survival of Israel. Nations who historically caused the Holocaust.  Yet from them, they seek salvation. And like the political Jews of days of old, this faith in the nations was to such an extent, that it was not beyond them to put Jews in danger and even joined the Greek legions in fighting against those heroes, the Maccabee's. While this seems romantic looking back, we are each left with the question of whose side are we really on today? Have we unwittingly aligned ourselves with the "Political Jews", those Greek Jews of the Chanukah story against the very hero's we so revere? Today, the situation is so similar.  It will only be with those people who are the "small jar of pure oil". Those who feel the sacred mission of the Holy Land and its Jewish place in the destiny of the world, that Israel will again please G-d, regain its senses and begin to once again put the safety and necessity of Israel's Jews first.

Article that came out today on Chabad.info

 http://www.chabad.info/index.php?url=article_en&id=25402

Best,

Raanan

Crown Heights Committee For Shleimus HaAretz

visit our website: www.chabad4israel.org

Advocating For Israel - Chabad Style!

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Sincerely, 

Robin Ticker

Activist emails sent to my list  are L'Ilui Nishmat Yisrael ben David Aryeh ob"m (Izzy - Kaplan)  a great activist and lover of Eretz Yisroel, Am Yisroel and the Torah. Yehi Zichrono Baruch. 

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