A clandestine undertaking on behalf of Israel, the Jets and the Jews.

 
Reactions to Terror

Tom Friedman's point about Israelis continuing with their routine within minutes of terrorist attacks causes me to look back at a time when this was not the case.

In 1995, Alisa Flatow, a 20 year old Brandeis student, was murdered in a bus bombing. At that time, Prime Minister Rabin apologized to Alisa's father, Stephen Flatow for not being able to protect his daughter, and prevent her murder.

In 1994, 19 year old Nachshon Wachsman was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists, who held him captive for five days before he was murdered during a failed IDF rescue attempt.

Nachshon's mother, Esther Wachsman, recalled that during those five days: "We appealed to our brethren -- to the Jewish people throughout the world -- and asked them to pray for our son. The Chief Rabbi of Israel delegated three chapters of Psalms to be said every day, and people everywhere, including schoolchildren who had never prayed before, did so for the sake of one precious Jewish soul.

"I asked women throughout the world to light an extra Sabbath candle for my son. From about 30,000 letters that poured into our home, I learned of thousands of women who had never lit Sabbath candles, who did so for the sake of our son...

"A prayer vigil was held at the Western Wall and, at the same hour, prayer vigils were held throughout the world in synagogues, schools, community centers, street squares and, yes, churches throughout the world. People of good faith everywhere hoped and pleaded and prayed for Nachshon.

"At the Western Wall 100,000 people arrived, with almost no notice -- Chassidim in black frock coats and long side curls swayed and prayed and cried, side by side with young boys in torn jeans and ponytails and earrings. There was total unity and solidarity of purpose among us -- religious and secular, left wing and right wing, Sephardi and Ashkenazi, old and young, rich and poor -- an occurrence unprecedented in our sadly fragmented society."

After Nachshon was murdered, "the entire nation mourned with us. Thousands came to comfort us, though no one can comfort a bereaved parent. Israeli radio began each morning's broadcasts with the words 'Good morning Israel, we are all with the Wachsman family.' Food and drink were delivered non-stop to our home; bus and taxi drivers who brought people from all over the country who wished to express their condolences, left their vehicles and joined their passengers in our home. That unity, solidarity, caring, compassion, and love with which we were showered gave us strength and filled our hearts with love for our people."

In light of the number of victims, it's probably not realistic - and perhaps not even healthy - for Israelis to mourn for each of its victims in the same way that they did for Nachshon Wachsman. But simply accepting mass murder as routine (something that I do not believe most Israelis are guilty of) is not something that is praiseworthy.
posted on 9/11/2003