On Tuesday September 21, we gathered in front of the United Nations in defense of human rights, against the despotic tyrant of Iran. Led by Rabbi Joseph Potasnik of the New York Board of Rabbis, we formed a human chain across 40th Street & 1st Avenue and blocked traffic in front of the United Nations. The story was carried on Fox, ABC, and many other news outlets across the country. This video (which is here in two parts) is not short, but it is very, very interesting. I encourage you to watch it and pass it on. And next time, join us.
A few months ago, anti-Israel activists boarded ships on a flotilla set for Gaza. They knew, without question, that they were headed into the sovereign waters of Israel, and that they would not be allowed into Gaza. With much bravado and drama, many were videotaped prior to leaving, saying that they hoped for martyrdom. Yet, they chose to make this deliberate global provocation. Ignoring repeated warnings from the Israeli military to turn back, they pressed on. Eventually, as forewarned, they were boarded by Israeli soldiers. As soon as they were boarded, these “peace activists” violently attacked the soldiers, beating them, even throwing some of them over the deck of the ship to decks below.
In the resulting melee, 9 “peace activists” were killed.
The global uproar over the nine dead was massive, with enormous coverage from major media outlets, and unrelenting protest from governments around the world. Day after day after day, everywhere you turned, front page and first story was the “Gaza Peace Flotilla Massacre” and the demand for investigations and justice for the dead who had deliberately put themselves into a volatile, provocative situation.
August 31 st, just near the beginning of the Jewish Holidays Isaac and Talia Emes, 47 and 45 years old, (who had six children, and had recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary), were driving home from a day in Jerusalem. Sharing the drive with them was 24-year-old Avishai Shindler, married just a year, and 37-year-old Kochava Even Haim, who was going home to her husband and daughter. These were not people interested in provoking a global incident by challenging a naval blockade. These were not activists searching for martyrdom. These were normal, everyday people going about their lives, simply returning home after a day in Jerusalem.
As they drove, Hamas gunmen opened fire on their car. Over three-dozen bullets fired into their vehicles and bodies. When the car rolled to a stop, more bullets were fired at point blank range into the parents of six, the newly married husband, and the wife and mother of an eight year old daughter.
They didn’t start their day looking to provoke an international incident. They weren’t looking for martyrdom. They didn’t ignore any warnings. They weren’t warned at all. They didn’t try to break a blockade. They were simply driving home.
How did I learn of their deaths?
Thumbing through my local paper, the Buffalo Evening News, I came across a small article on page four describing their deaths.
No calls for investigation. No global condemnation. No calls for justice. No front page.
Their story only rated a few lines on Page Four.
Apparently, non-provocative, innocent Jewish blood being spilled doesn’t rate international outrage and coverage.
God help us. We live in a world gone mad.