The essence of my response,
which I’d like to share with all of you, I do not consider
the Arab peoples in general and the Palestinian people in particular
to be in any way, enemies of my people, the Jewish people, the people
of the Torah
The Jewish people are commanded by Almighty God to live in peace
with all peoples and nations on the face of the globe. Our national
agenda is simple – It is to humbly worship the Creator at
all times.
As Torah Jews we are called upon to feel and express our sense
of compassion when any person or group of human beings suffers.
In the words of King David, the Psalmist, “And His Mercy is
upon all His creatures.” All men are created in the image
of G-d.
As Torah Jews our prime imperatives in dealing with our non-Jewish
brethren -- and certainly our cousins the Arab peoples -- are peace,
respect, mutual understanding and empathy.
Thus, it is obvious that the Jewish people has no quarrel whatsoever
with any Arab nation.
And, of greatest importance today we wish to publicly state that
the Jewish people never has had and does not have any quarrel with
the Palestinian people – anywhere on the face of the earth
When we look at the cauldron of suffering which the Middle East
has become for the Palestinian people we stand back aghast –
homes and lives lost, family suffering, the list goes on and on.
Why have the tragic events of last 52 years come to pass?
The answer lies in one word – Zionism.
Zionism has misled some Jews into thinking that there exists a
need to pursue aggressive policies against the Palestinian people
to steal their land and persecute their people.
This is hardly surprising as it is a creed in direct opposition
to the basics of our Torah faith.
The justice of the current situation lies entirely with the Palestinian
people. They have been dispossessed. Political control over the
land belongs to them.
This is the position of the G-d fearing Jewish people. They have
opposed Zionism from its inception over one hundred years ago. Zionism
is an embarrassment to the Torah Jew.
Our prayers for the Messianic era are centered on the future –
a future when G-d alone, without any human involvement, will redeem
all mankind, who will then worship Him together in peace.
Of course, we are saddened by the loss of Jewish life today in
the Holy Land as well.
But we must not let our sense of personal loss as Jews blind us
to the true right and wrong of the moral drama before our eyes.
My friends, for 52 years the world has ignored the just claims
and rights of the Palestinian people.
And, yes, for that same amount of time, some people, blinded by
the dogmas of militant Zionism, have first created and then perpetuated
this horrible abuse of an entire people.
We are here to proclaim that the crimes committed against the Palestinian
people when they were exiled from their homes in 1948 and deprived
of their basic human rights, first as refugees and later as persecuted
subjects in the West Bank and Gaza were not done in the name of
Torah or of Torah believing Jews
They were the deeds of Jews far from the letter and spirit of their
ancestral faith.
We condemn their actions these past weeks, and for the last 52
years and for the entire past century when Zionism has steadily
pursued the policy of the ethnic cleansing of a land that had a
large and cultured indigenous population.
To our Islamic brethren gathered here today and around the world
–
Let the message of Torah Jewry go out from this day and forevermore
–
The Torah’s ways are peace.
G-d’s seal is truth.
The path to peace is Palestinian sovereignty over the Holy Land.
We cry for your suffering.
We apologize for the suffering created by those led astray by Zionism.
We pray that Zionism, the sole cause of your suffering, can be
eradicated with no further loss of life to anyone.
And so I conclude, my friends, Palestinians and Arabs of all nations,
may G-d’s peace and blessing be upon you all.
Thank you Salem Aleikem and G-d’s mercies upon you.
|