Fwd: National Tragedies, Multiplied Pain!! Arlene Kushner

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From: Arlene from Israel <arlene@arlenefromisrael.info>
Date: Mon, May 3, 2021, 3:05 PM
Subject: National Tragedies, Multiplied Pain!!
To: <faigerayzel@gmail.com>

From Israel: National Tragedies, Multiplied Pain!! May 3, 2021 Before I turn to the national tragedy that will be a major focus of this posting, I w

Like   From Israel: National Tragedies, Multiplied Pain!! May 3, 2021 Before I turn to the national tragedy that will be a major focus of this posting, I want to call the attention of my readers to a terror attack that took place yesterday (Sunday) evening: A drive-by shooting at the bus stop at Tapuach Junction, a major crossroad in the Shomron. Credit: Yossi Zeliger This junction, which is located within the boundaries of the religious community of Kfar Tapuach, has been the site of multiple attacks by terrorists over recent years. On Sunday, three yeshiva students, all aged 19, were shot. One, Amichai Challah, received light injuries and was released after a brief time in the hospital. The other two, Yehuda Guetta and Benaya Peretz, who both took shots to the head, are in critical condition in Beilinson Hospital. Doctors are working to save the life of Yehuda. And so, please, pray for them: Yehuda Ben Milka, Binaya Ben Aviva, and Amichai Ben Ronit. This is what we can do now. https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/judea-samaria-israel/doctors-fighting-for-lives-of-terror-attack-victims-idf-manhunt-continues/2021/05/03/ I confess, there is for me no professional objectivity when reporting on incidents such as this one. ~~~~~~~~~~ There was an IDF presence at the junction when the shooting took place, and soldiers shot at the attackers. But as the shooting was done from a moving car, the terrorists were not hit. A search for them is in process and they will be caught. This we can do. In my opinion, after they are tried and found guilty, they should be sentenced to death. They will not be (in good part because of a left-leaning Supreme Court). ~~~~~~~~~~ In the course of the search for the culprits, IDF forces entered the Arab village of Beita, south of Shechem (Nablus). There they encountered Arabs who rioted and threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at them. They look like a friendly bunch: Credit: Xinhuanet The soldiers responded with live fire and at least one villager was killed. It's important to note the response of these Arab villagers. Let no one imagine that the terrorists who shot our yeshiva students were operating alone and without broader sympathy. ~~~~~~~~~~ And it's not just the sympathy of villagers. It's also Fatah, which is the main party of the Palestinian Authority. See Fatah Facebook messages put out yesterday, May 2: "The Fatah Movement's Nablus branch emphasized that resistance is a natural right of the Palestinian people against the Zionist arrogance." There was, additionally, an appeal to destroy evidence of the comings or goings of the terrorists: "…we call on you to get rid of the contents that were stored in the [security] cameras of your homes or your businesses today…" https://palwatch.org/page/21738 ~~~~~~~~~~ The attack may very well have come in response to incitement regarding the Temple Mount, which I have been writing about. The Mount is the flashpoint and Arab radicals make charges that are devoid of truth, but which inflame the masses: Islamic Jihad declared that the attack was "a message on behalf of the entire Palestinian people that Jerusalem is a red line and that harm to the holy places will explode in Israel's face." According to Hamas, the attack was "a natural response to Israeli aggression in Jerusalem and the Al-Aksa Mosque. Palestinians are being called upon to escalate opposition to plans by Israeli elements to break into the Al-Aksa Mosque on Jerusalem Day." (Emphasis added) There are, of course, no plans to break into the Mosque on Jerusalem Day, which is next Sunday night and Monday. But security officials are concerned that more attacks may be coming. In light of the current situation, the IDF Division for Yehuda and Shomron has been reinforced. ~~~~~~~~~~ Charges leveled at Israel by Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority also have the potential to incite violence. Credit: on this day The PA had announced May elections, both legislative and presidential, at the urging of the US, which wants to cast the Palestinian Authority as a "democracy in the making." You can ask Secretary of State Blinken about this. The PA has not had elections in 15 years. Abbas has not been eager for these elections, both because Fatah, the mainstay of the PA, might well lose to Hamas, and because he is being challenged by others for his position. (I will deal more extensively with this in another posting.) What he did, then, was make a major deal of the fact that it was important that Palestinian Arabs who have residency cards for Jerusalem be permitted to vote in Jerusalem. Israel is not eager for this to happen (as there are jurisdictional/sovereignty issues) and has restricted campaigning, but has not overtly declared that such voting would not be permitted. Nevertheless, Abbas has suggested that the elections have to be postponed because the right to hold elections in eastern Jerusalem has not been guaranteed by Israel. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/abbas-wont-go-to-elections-without-jerusalem/2225160 ~~~~~~~~~~ And now looking back some days earlier to the national tragedy that occurred in Meron, in the upper Galil near S'fat, past midnight on Thursday, which was Lag B'Omer. It is said to be the largest civic tragedy in Israel's history. Meron is the burial place of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, a Second Century sage known as the Rashbi. It is traditional for Haredim (Ultra-Orthodox) by the thousands and tens of thousands to visit his gravesite on Lag B'Omer, to light massive bonfires on the mountainside, and to celebrate with music and dancing. Last year corona interfered with the celebration; this year, some 100,000 attended, and this was said to be a low number compared to previous years. Credit: Jalaa Marey/AFP The tragedy was the result of massive crowds moving on a metal walkway that was on an incline coming down the mountain, and slippery apparently because it was wet. The walkway led to a stairway that was not secure. Apparently, some people fell, but there was so much pushing from behind, with the mass of people, that they were trampled. It is difficult for me to envision, as it may be for you. But this sort of catastrophe does occur from time to time, at over-crowded sports events and at the Haj in Mecca. People stumble and are stepped upon by the crowd, which is being shoved from behind and cannot stop. In the end, at least 45 people, mostly Haredi and including children, were killed. Credit: MENA ~~~~~~~~~~ There was a good deal of finger-pointing in the wake of the tragedy, regarding who was responsible. But there was also a great deal which we as a nation did right and can be proud of. The rescue organization Zaka did a superlative job, especially with regard to retrieving bodies of those killed and attending to injured. Hundreds of Israelis donated blood for those injured. Additionally, residents of nearby Arab villages set up stations to offer food and drink to people coming down the mount after the tragedy. Initiatives to help the evacuees were launched in the villages of Tamra, Jish, Yarka and Peki'in. While many families in the Druze village of Beit Jan had opened their homes to evacuees and rescuers from the disaster. https://www.timesofisrael.com/arab-towns-offer-food-drink-to-meron-survivors-hundreds-give-blood-in-tel-aviv/ ~~~~~~~~~~ Prime Minister Netanyahu went up to Meron. Credit: MENA He then declared Sunday to be a day of national mourning. ~~~~~~~~~~ In the end, how do we unravel this horror and make sense of it somehow? What is clear is that the site at Meron was a tragedy waiting to happen. There had been extensive warnings about the situation there over the years. But what also emerges is the fact that there was no clear governmental jurisdiction over the site. This was, as I have come to understand it, at least in part a function of the enormous de facto autonomy exhibited by the Haredi community (which actually consists of a number of different groups). This autonomy – which is in fact a defiance of governmental jurisdiction – is a deep problem within our greater society. The Haredim answer to their own leaders, rabbis first and then political figures. They do not consider themselves beholden to governmental authority. ~~~~~~~~~~ My understanding of this phenomenon is that it was carried from Europe, when Haredi populations often endured virulent hostility exhibited by state officials. Ways in which it was possible to defy those state officials and proceed according to their own lights were encouraged and reinforced within the Haredi communities. Unfortunately, in at least some measure, they brought these attitudes with them when coming to Israel, and they have persisted. We see it in the refusal to cooperate with the draft, or to structure school curricula according to government regulations (regarding, for example, core subjects such as math). We saw it in defiance of corona rules – when they insisted that gathering in yeshivas was more important than those rules. And so was it the case with Meron. They were determined to come in large numbers, to do their celebrating. And I consider that civil officials now accused of being remiss for not stopping them from coming have some merit in their claim that there would have been no way to "stop" 100,000 Haredim bent on coming. ~~~~~~~~~~ There was, for example, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri, of the Sephardi Shas party, who, according to Yosef Schwinger, head of the national holy places center, "fought like a lion" to "save" the Lag B'Omer celebrations from being scaled down. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/SJkoWMhvd Deri argued that "attendees would be protected by the spiritual influence of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai." "Shlomo Levy, former head of Meron HaGalil Regional Council, reported that for years he tried to improve the conditions at the mountain where Meron is located, but without success: "…it is impossible to move a stone there without running into this or that Hassidic group, and if you do move something there, half an hour later you get a phone call from Jerusalem." Religious groups, he said, use government connections and…have the place "in a chokehold." https://www.ynetnews.com/article/SJuXYhovu?utm_source=Taboola_internal&utm_medium=organic And Sigal Bar Tzvi, head of Community Policing for Israel Police spoke of the fact that the police did not have the authority to limit the number of participants in the gathering on the mountain. "We do what we are told to do, within the framework of our abilities; there is freedom of religious assembly." (Emphasis added) https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-tragedy-multiple-reports-of-political-pressures-not-to-limit-meron-event/ The point here is that the Haredi autonomy superseded official police judgement on the matter: the police had reservations about the safety of the gathering, but Haredim decided to participate anyway. ~~~~~~~~~~ I do not mean to simplify the situation. There will be an official investigation and heads may yet roll. On Sunday Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi David Lau told Army Radio that in light of what has happened, "the state is obligated to take responsibility for [the site]." While Moshe Gafni, head of the United Torah Judaism (Haredi Ashkenazi) party, said that "government decisions need to be made, [in which] the government says what it intends to do with this place." ~~~~~~~~~~ I offer here an insightful article on this entire issue by Aviv Rettig Gur. The Haredim, he writes, are now questioning the price they have paid for their insistence on autonomy: "But the shattering images from Meron cut through the glib self-assurance and silenced, at least for the moment, any boasts about Haredi self-rule. "And as the confident voices dwindled into shocked silence, other voices came to the fore, cries of angry self-critique that are rarely heard from the mainstream of Haredi society. "The voices all carried a single message: The state's kowtowing to our leaders has brought this disaster upon us." (Emphasis added) https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-meron-calamity-haredim-question-the-price-of-their-own-autonomy/ Perhaps the social dynamic will see a long-overdue shift. ~~~~~~~~~~ Credit: Kenneth Allen ~~~~~~~~~~ See my website: https://www.arlenefromisrael.info © Arlene Kushner. This material is produced by independent journalist Arlene Kushner. Permission is granted for it to be reproduced only with proper attribution ©2021 Arlene from Israel | arlene@arlenefromisrael.info Web Version   Preferences   Forward   Unsubscribe     Powered by GoDaddy Email Marketing ®

Fwd: AFSI Newsletter Israel Works to Restore Calm After Terror Attack ( in Samaria as well)

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From: AFSI/Americans For A Safe Israel <info@afsi.org>
Date: Mon, May 3, 2021, 5:10 PM
Subject: Israel Works to Restore Calm After Terror Attack
To: <faigerayzel@gmail.com>

Fifth Elections are Preferable to a Government Supported by Supporters of Terrorism

Monday - May 3, 2021 Israel Works to Restore Calm After Terror Attack Three 19-year-old yeshiva students were injured, two of them seriously, in a drive-by shooting at a bus stop at Tapuah Junction on Sunday evening, Israeli authorities said. The shots were fired from a passing car at the Tapuah Junction south of Nablus. The victims were all civilians, according to the Israel Defense Forces. All three victims are rabbinical students at the Yeshiva Gedolah in the Samaria Jewish community of Itamar. "IDF troops returned fire at the vehicle, which fled the scene. IDF troops are searching for the vehicle and are setting up roadblocks in the area," the military said. As of noon today, Yehuda Guetta, 19, is still in critical condition and there is an immediate danger to his life. Benaya Peretz, 19, is in very serious condition. The third wounded Israeli, Amichai Challah, 19, was released from the hospital after sustaining light injuries. This attack is especially heartbreaking since it follows just days after the Mount Meron tragedy. In this terror attack, and in the Meron disaster, so many, but not all, of the victims were young people. Our friends in Yitzhar told us that the young people there are devastated with what has happened in both Meron and Tapuah. AFSI has very close friendships with residents and officials in Yitzhar. We've traveled there on our Chizuk Mission trips many times. AFSI raised the money that installed fire breaks, which one resident told us has made an enormous difference. Our hearts go out to the residents of Yitzhar and we stand side by side with them as they work through this latest violation of Israel's Sovereignty. Americans For A Safe Israel mourns the loss of all the victims involved and prays for a speedy refuah for all those who are recovering. READ MORE ON OUR WEBSITE Arabs Set Fire to Burn Down Kumi Ori Arabs from the Arab village of Urif on Monday morning lit a fire near the Kumi Ori neighborhood of Yitzhar in Samaria. Arabs set the fire near the Jewish neighborhood and shouted at IDF soldiers who were trying to secure firefighters. READ MORE ON OUR WEBSITE The Sovereignty Movement: Fifth Elections are Preferable to a Government Supported by Supporters of Terrorism Rabbi Zvi Thau on Monday called for the creation of a 59-seat, right-wing coalition headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This would rely on the parliamentary support of the Islamic party Ra'am and was initially refused by MK Bezalel Smotrich, who was joined by the Sovereignty Movement, headed by Yehudit Katsover and Nadia Matar. Yehudit and Nadia sent out the following message by email and social media: The Sovereignty Movement responds to the dramatic pressure that is being exerted to gain the agreement of the Right to establish a minority government with the support of the United Arab List (Ra'am): "This pressure was expected with the approach of the expiration date of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's mandate to establish a government; however, the stressful timetable is not sufficient to transform darkness to light and impurity to purity. Establishment of a government dependent on supporters of terrorism constitutes a mortal blow to the ability of the government to promote the Zionist vision and dream." READ THE FULL STATEMENT ON OUR WEBSITE The Second Fall of Khirbet Khurkosh: Who's Responsible? As part of the illegal, EU-backed, Palestinian takeover of Judea & Samaria, an archaeological site near Ariel has been damaged by the Palestinian Authority. Despite Regavim alerting the authorities six times about the illegal structures, roads, and trees - no action has been taken. Khirbet Kuhrkosh is an ancient historical site. Its historical artifacts indicate that a settlement existed at the site between the First Temple period (around 800 BCE) and the end of the Byzantine rule in Israel (7th century). The most impressive piece of history discovered at the site is probably an ancient cemetery, where many graves date back to the times of the Second Temple (from -352 BCE to 70 CE). Anti-Semitism Against Jewish College Students Must Stop! Discrimination and anti-Semitism directed against Jewish college students continues, and in fact has increased. Accordingly, it is vitally important that Congress act in a bipartisan manner to continue to protect Jewish college students, in the same manner that other minority students are protected. Do your part by calling local officials listed in the link below. For those who live outside these areas, the switchboard number for Congress is 202-224-3121. Ask to be connected to your Congressional Representative. Sample script and contacts for DC, NEW YORK, FLORIDA, NEW JERSEY, HERE. Read Congressman Glenn Grothman's Letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardo HERE. News Bites, Opinions, etc. - Stay Informed Israel Independence Fund with Doug Altab J Street is the go-to Israel-focused US NGO? God help us! - opinion ~Douglas Altabef Another Dangerous Pick Biden picks BDS activist as assistant secretary for human rights ~Daniel Greenfield The Meeting on Iran Mossad chief meets Biden for talks on Iran ~Arutz Sheva Staff No Peace in These Books Peace in texts used by UNRWA Schools ~David Bedein Mount Meron Victims A Hasidic singer, a dozen boys and teens, a father of 11: All 45 Meron victims ~TOI Staff Strategic Challenge Iran: Where Biden and Israel's legal fraternity converge ~Caroline Glick WEBINARS CURRENT AND ARCHIVED All listings reflect AFSI's mission to educate the public on the truth about Israel and to advocate for a Whole and Sovereign Israel. Monday - May 3, 2021 | 4:00pm EDT Challenging the Media, Politicians, Academia to End Jew Hatred This webinar is In memory of Sarah Halimi, z'l", with Philippe Karsenty, in conversation with Brooke Goldstein. Philippe Karsenty is a French politician and founder of Media-Ratings, a company monitoring the French media for bias. Karsenty came to public attention when he was sued for libel by the public French television network, France 2, over accusations of staged footage by France 2 over the killing of a 12-year-old Palestinian boy, Muhammad al-Durrah. Brooke Goldstein is New York City-based human rights attorney, author, and award-winning filmmaker. Register HERE Tuesday - May 4, 2021 |11:00am - 12:00pm EDT US Launch of FPA Member's "The Taming of the Jew!" For centuries Brits and Americans went to other countries to report on their foibles. FPA member Tuvia Tenenbom turns the tables with "The Taming of the Jew," Israel's number one best-selling e-book, his "funniest and most disturbing book to date. For months on end, Tuvia, he roamed through the four nations that make up the sometimes not so United Kingdom—Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales. He interacted with anyone and everyone who came his way throughout his journey: from terrifying ghosts long dead to the highly esteemed lords and baronesses very much alive, most of whom happened to be anti-Semites. Tuvia Tenenbom joins Ian Williams, FPA President to discuss his experiences and the book The Taming of the Jew. Register HERE Wednesday - May 5, 2021 | 11:30am EDT The $200 Billion China-Iran Agreement Featuring Carice Witte and David Goldman. Carice Witte is the Founder and Executive Director of SIGNAL (Sino-Israel Global Network & Academic Leadership), an Israeli policy organization that specializes on China-Israel relations. David Goldman is Deputy Editor of Asia Times, where he has written the "Spengler" column since 2001. Register HERE Thursday - May 6, 2021 10:00am EDT What Have We Learned From Biden's First 100 Days? With the participation of: Prof. Mark Meirowitz, State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College; Shmuel Rosner, Jewish People Policy Institute, Kan News; Moderator: Prof. Eytan Gilboa, BESA Center. Watch it on Zoom HERE Monday - May 10, 2021 | 11:00am EDT The Age of Tolerance - UAE and Israel in the Ever-Changing Middle East With Professor Uzi Rabi, Director, Moshe Dayan Center for Middle Eastern Studies at Tel Aviv University. Convener: Dr. Ramy Aziz, Research Fellow, ISGAP. Register HERE Tuesday - May 11, 2021 | 11:00am EDT State Sponsored Anti-Semitism in Venezuela With Sammy Eppel. Sammy is a member of the governing body of the Venezuelan Jewish community (CAIV). He is Acting Director of the Commission of Human Rights of B'nai Brith in Venezuela. Register HERE Wednesday - May 12, 2021 | 12:00pm EDT The Promise of the Negev - The Future of the Negev With esteemed Historian, Author & the Biographer of David Ben Gurion, Professor Michael Bar-Zohar and special guest Dr. Shlomi Codish, Director General of Soroka Medical Center. Prof. Bar-Zohar will discuss The Future of the Negev. What's next for one of the world's most exciting and complex regions? Register HERE Sunday - May 23, 2021 | 10:00am EDT Re-Discovering The Land of Israel: The Artist Colony of Tzfat Let's walk the winding alleyways of this mystical city together as we tour the city of Kabbalah. We will visit important synagogues, meet local artists, learn about Jewish mysticism from a leading Rabbi, and delve into its history both ancient and modern. With tour guide David Sussman. Register HERE Monday - May 24, 2021 | 11:00am EDT A Look into Bernard Lewis' 'Semites and Anti-Semites' With Frank Salameh of Boston College. Convener: Dr. Ramy Aziz, Research Fellow, ISGAP. In Arabic (with simultaneous English Translation). Register HERE Sunday - June 6, 2021 | 10:00am EDT Re-Discovering The Land of Israel: The Old and the New in Tel Aviv/Jaffa Described as the city that never sleeps, Tel Aviv is Israel's financial capital. Let's discover its roots, beaches, diversity, and the place where Israel's independence was discovered. With tour guide David Sussman. Register HERE Sunday - June 27, 2021 | 10:00am EDT Re-Discovering The Land of Israel: The Golan Heights One of Israel's most scenic areas. It boasts extinct volcanoes, Israel's largest mountain, sits along the border of Israel, and has a rich Jewish history. This episode will feature Major Ya'akov Selevan (AFSI has had the pleasure of touring with Ya'akov) who will discuss with us the political climate of the Golan Heights. With tour guide David Sussman. Register HERE ****AFSI ARCHIVED WEBINARS**** The Big Lie of Khirbet Humsa: The Newest Version of Palestinian Authority/European Union TOXIC CONCOCTIONS Under the headline "In thrice-demolished village, a Mideast battle of wills," the AP reported that after its initial demolition in November, the Jordan Valley Bedouin encampment Khirbet Humsa was demolished again on February 2 and a third time on February 4. Naomi Kahn, Director of the International Division of the Israeli NGO, REGAVIM, gives us the real story of this Big Lie. Recorded February 21, 2021 | Video HERE Jews Are Indigenous to Israel Activist Ryan Bellerose sees Israel as "a light unto nations" and a formula for success. Specifically, the State of Israel, whose establishment Bellerose considers the "greatest human rights story ever," can offer a blueprint for securing land and rights for other indigenous tribes around the world. Recorded February 10, 2021 | Video HERE Habithonistim – Helps Keep Jews Safe Everywhere Canadian Anti-Semitism Education Foundation (CAEF) presents Israel's Defense and Security Forum featuring Brigadier General (Ret.) Amir Avivi. Amir Avivi is the Founder and CEO of Habithonistim, comprised of more than 1,700 high ranking reserve and retired Officers, Commanders, and Operators of all Branches of the Israeli Security Establishment, focused on promoting the national security of the State of Israel. Israel existence and prosperity is crucial for Jewish safety and security around the world. Co-Sponsored by Habithonistim – Israel's Defense & Security Forum, Americans For A Safe Israel, and Canadians For Israel's Legal Rights. Recorded January 28, 2021 | Video HERE Israeli Politics: The Emerging Landscape In dialogue with Dr. Mordechai Kedar Recorded December 30, 2020 | Video HERE United Jerusalem Forever With Daniel Luria, Executive Director of Ateret Cohanim's headquarters in Israel. He lives and breathes Jerusalem and tries to get the Jewish People involved in this vital national project of keeping a united Jerusalem in Jewish hands and strengthening Jewish roots in and around the Old City. AFSI Chizuk Missions regularly tour the Old City with Dan, marveling at the progress that Ateret Cohanim continually exhibits. Recorded December 9, 2020 | Video HERE Sovereignty - What Are We Waiting For? A timely discussion about Sovereignty with Co-Chairs of the Women in Green, Nadia Matar and Yehudit Katsover. Recorded November 17, 2020 | Video HERE Winning the Debate Over the Palestinian Arab/Israeli Conflict Mendy Neeman is an authorized speaker on geopolitics for Birthright. Additionally, he serves as a staff member at the C.P.D.H. (Center for Public Diplomacy and Hasbara) and gives presentations to the IDF combat officer course, and other units as well. His presentations deal with the Palestinian Arab/Israeli conflict and demonstrate a unique way to easily address the most complicated issues. Recorded November 4, 2020 | Video HERE Israel's Sovereignty Entitlements Under International Law in Respect to Jerusalem and the Disputed Territories With Dr. Jacques Gauthier an international jurist, scholar and human rights advocate. Dr. Gauthier's highlighted the nexus between the historical facts and events which support the legitimacy of Israel's sovereignty claims to all of Jerusalem and the disputed territories. Recorded September 30, 2020 | Video HERE How Judicial Activism in Israel Endangers Sovereignty in Judea and Samaria With Simcha Rothman and Preface by Daniel Seaman. Meshilut, The Movement for Governability and Democracy, was founded with the purpose of strengthening the rule of Israel's elected officials by restoring the balance between the judicial and legislative branches of government. | Video HERE Recorded September 9, 2020 The Politics of Sovereignty With Likud member and Minister of Knesset Ariel Kallner. MK Kallner's top priority is the issue of Sovereignty throughout the entire land of Israel. | Video HERE Recorded August 11, 2020  Zeev Jabotinsky Memorial and Tribute. Jabotinsky's Legacy More Relevant Now Than Ever Yifa Segal, Director of The International Legal Forum, moderated AFSI's 2020 tribute to the