The Tragedy and the Pain (2)February 7, 1997 People are still numb – the pictures, the namesbroadcast over and over again on the radio, the funerals,the stories – it all seems so unnecessary. But that isalmost always the way death seems – so unnecessary. Yetthe tragedy of 73 young men, all serving on Israel’sfront line, dying as the result of […]
Read moreHebron-Bethlehem-From Abraham to RachelJanuary 28, 1997 I am ashamed to admit that, in spite of the relatively short distance, I very infrequently visit Rachel’s Tomb – Kever Rachel Emenu – in Bethlehem. The last time I was there was before the city was abandoned to Arafat, over a year ago. I recall feeling very emotionally drained, at that time. ‘Redeployment’ […]
Read moreHebron-Past, Present and Forever by David Wilder Hebron – R.I.P.? January 17, 1997 Last night Prime Minister Netanyahu, speaking at apress conference, told viewers that “Israel is notwithdrawing from Hebron, rather is resituating inHebron.” Bibi has a way with words. For that matter, so does MK Michael Eitan, a long-time Hebron supporter. Explaining his acceptance of theaccords, he compares the […]
Read moreLife is full of crossroads. Some are very personal, others of a public nature. Some are relativelyunimportant. Yet others, may have far reachingimplications and consequences. Presently Israel is at acrossroads that may determine our fate – the fate ofHebron, of Jerusalem, of the State of Israel, and of theentire Jewish People. We have arrived at a moment oftruth. Tonight, a […]
Read moreA Virtual VisitJanuary 1, 1997It is virtually impossible to understand Hebron withoutvisiting, seeing, feeling, and experiencing, the streets,the neighborhoods, the children, the adults, the sites,and the sounds of the City of the Patriarchs. So manypeople, even the most staunch of Hebron’s supporters, whofor one reason or another have either never been toHebron, or haven’t visited for many years, only realizethe […]
Read moreThe Masquerade is OverDecember 27, 1996This morning on the Kol Yisrael radio news, DefenseMinister Yitzhak Mordechai, speaking about the Hebronaccords, emphasized that he has ordered his subordinatesto insure that the Jewish residents of Hebron will notfeel any lessening of their security following`redeployment.’ A few weeks ago Mordechai took a walkingtour from Beit Hadassah to the Avraham Avinuneighborhood. As he inspected […]
Read moreResponsibility December 13, 1996 Yesterday’s double funeral of Ita and Ephraim Tzur at Beit El was as heart wrenching as can be imagined. It is almost impossible to express in words the emotions felt here when hearing such horrible news. All I know is that the identical sensation experienced too many times in the past, a sensation that I try […]
Read moreThe Eighth CandleDecember 11, 1996Hanukka, 5757To The Honorable Prime MinisterMr. Benyamin NetanyahuJerusalem, IsraelDear Mr. Prime Minister, Tonight I was driving home with my parents and my sisters, to light Hanukka candles. Candle-lighting in Beit El is a very special experience. Tonight, the seventh night of Hanukka, we were looking forward to the special event. Hanukka is such a special holiday, […]
Read moreHebron and Jerusalem – Dream of Hope or Terror?November 15, 1996 This morning, in honor of ‘palestinian independence day’ the palestinian national council released a statement declaring that ‘the flag’ will soon wave in Hebron and Jerusalem, capital of the palestinian state. Yassir Arafat has a dream. The fulfilment of the dream began when an Israeli government recognized his legitimacy. […]
Read moreThe Day AfterNovember 13, 1996The Israeli army has, by all accounts, almost completelyconcluded its abandonment of the City of the Patriarchs.The IDF has removed almost 100% of its outposts in andaround the city, in the areas to be transferred toArafat. Legally, Israel still has access to the entirecity, but patrols in nearly all the neighborhoods havebeen halted. The major difference […]
Read more