Videotaped execution of U.S. Jew may not shake commitment in Iraq (Berg)

JTA News ^ | 5.11.04

[ambrose]

Videotaped execution of U.S. Jew may not shake commitment in Iraq

By Joe Berkofsky

NEW YORK, May 11 (JTA) — The videotaped execution of an American Jewish civilian contractor in Iraq shook members of the Jewish community, but not their commitment to the war on terrorism. A video that surfaced on the Internet on Tuesday showed the decapitation by masked Iraqis of Nicholas Berg, 26, of West Chester, Pa. The grisly scene echoed the 2002 murder in Pakistan of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, who was forced to admit his Jewishness on tape just before his captors cut off his head.

It wasn’t clear whether Berg was targeted because of his religion. In the video, posted on a Web site linked to Al-Qaida, Berg is seen saying, “My name is Nick Berg, my father’s name is Michael, my mother’s name is Susan . . . I have a brother and sister, David and Sarah.”

Several Jewish leaders and military families said the incident shouldn’t dissuade Jewish soldiers and civilians from serving in Iraq.

“Should people think twice or should we continue this?” asked Judy Ledger, whose son and daughter — and their spouses — all served with the U.S. military in Iraq. “You do have to realize there’s a danger, but the danger is no more if you’re in the military than if there is a hate crime” in the United States.

Several sources said Berg’s murder — as well as Tuesday’s videotaped killing of six Israeli soldiers by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip — should deepen the commitment of Jews and other Americans to the war on terrorism.

“This is an evil force that has no moral compunction at all,” said Malcolm Hoenlein, executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.

Referring to the video showing an Iraqi holding Berg’s severed head aloft and shouting, “Allahu akbar,” or “God is great” — and footage of Palestinian militants proudly displaying an Israeli soldier’s head and other body parts — Hoenlein said the two cases point to the same enemy.

“Their barbarism could not be more clear after today. On both fronts it’s the same menace,” he said.

Joseph Kashnow agrees. An Army Cavalry scout stationed in Baghdad, Kashnow’s right leg was nearly blown off by a homemade land mine last September. He has spent months undergoing operations and therapy — yet he says he’s as sure as ever that the war is just.

As an American Jewish soldier in Baghdad, Kashnow knew better than to pursue one particular conversation with a local man.

“He said, ‘Saddam wasn’t so bad, at least he wasn’t Jewish,’ ” recalled Kashnow, 25. “Not a person I wanted to continue having a chat with.”

It’s not clear whether Berg’s Jewish background played a role in his fate. On the video, Berg’s captors said the killing was to avenge the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by American soldiers.

“It’s certainly possible there are people” in Iraq “who would feel it was a ‘two-mints-in-one’ to get an American and a Jew,” Kashnow said.

Regardless, Berg “was still an innocent civilian who was slaughtered, whether he was Jewish, black, or Asian,” Kashnow said. “He was fighting to rebuild the country and make it safe for freedom. It’s still a tragedy.”

Shoshana Bryen, director of special projects for the Washington-based Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, said it makes sense that Jews would be targeted in Iraq.

“There are people in these countries who are looking to kill people who are members of certain groups,” Bryen said. “The two at the top of the list are Americans and Jews.”

The parents of Daniel Pearl, who immigrated to Los Angeles in the 1960s from Israel, prepared a statement for the media after news of Berg’s killing circulated Tuesday.

“We have heard from the news about the videotape showing the tragic death of Nicholas Berg in Iraq. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this extremely difficult time,” the statement said.

“Our heart goes out to them. Kidnapping, torture, humiliation and murder must have no place in this world,” the statement went on. “We call on people of principle around the world to help stop the madness and take a stand for humanity.”

Ironically, Berg’s father, Michael, and his small business, Prometheus Methods Tower Service Inc., were listed as endorsers of a coalition called Act Now to Stop War and End Racism. The coalition opposed the Iraq war, though Nicholas Berg reportedly supported it.

Berg was in Iraq as a freelance contractor working to repair communications antennae, The Associated Press reported. His family members said they had known of their son’s death since the weekend but did not know of the video until it surfaced this week.

The family last heard from Berg on April 9, as he was preparing to return to the United States via Jordan. U.S. officials recovered Berg’s remains May 8.

The Bush administration and others voiced outrage at Berg’s killing and vowed to pursue his killers. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, said Berg’s killers “will not prevail.”

Berg’s friends and neighbors were devastated to learn of his fate. Reached by phone, Berg’s parents declined to comment on their son’s death.

The circumstances of his capture are unknown.

“Nick was probably one of the most amazing men I’ve ever met,” said Aaron Spool, a friend of Berg’s since they were in the seventh grade. “He just touched everyone’s life. West Chester is going to be a much emptier place without him. He was good man, a good Jew. It’s tough. It’s very hard.”

Glenn Brown, a friend of the Spool family who occasional would have Shabbat meals with Berg in West Chester, recalled the young man as being “a sincere individual.”

He said, “It is a huge tragedy and loss. He seemed hard-working and industrious.”

Burt Siegel, director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Philadelphia Jewish federation, said, “It is absolutely sickening that this man was singled out for being an American.”

“Obviously, you don’t have to be a Jew for these people to murder you.”

(JTA Washington bureau chief Ron Kampeas, JTA staff writer Matthew E. Berger in Washington and the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent contributed to this report.)

[gogoline]

Why was this man detained by "Iraqi" police and the US military resulting in his parents filing a law suit in Federal court to get his release?
He was trying to leave this hell hole back in March. He was apparently captured by thews godless Bast%ards on April 9th after he missed his plane because WE were detaining him. What the hell is going on. This deal is FUBAR beyond belief and I want answers!!!!

[aft_lizard]

Welcome to the forum. Troll.

[wastoute]

Amazing how the "Arab Street" has filled with protestors screaming in outrage how their religion has been hijacked by demon possessed monsters that betray the principles of their Master! What a sight to behold! Ooops. It ain't happening, is it? Actually, these people have all made their "god" an accomplice to MURDER. Sort of clues you in as to who their "god" is, doesn't it? These people pray to Satan 5 times a day. Get a clue America.

[RaceBannon]

Actually, I want to commend the Iraqis for showing such mercy for not putting womens underwear over his head before they slit his throat.

[Righty1]

It is time to take off the gloves. If any of you haven't experienced muslim arabs first hand there are some facts you need to know. These are the most arrogant "people" since the SS. The dominant opinion in their world before we toppled the talibang was that if you bomb enough Americans they will eventually get up the nerve to sue you. They have a way of turning away and raising their great honkers when you speak to them that makes you want to extract their heart and chew on it while they watch. They are so damned illogical because they are always trying to square their absolute belief in their total superiority with the miserable performance of their wretched race. I don't care if I am banned for saying these things because they come from experience. Some time I'll tell you how my mentor was nearly killed by AH for expressing his first hand observations on arab allies.

[mattdono]

Hey gogo...why don't you just say what you want to say...this is George Bush's fault too.

F'n Troll. Here Kitty, kitty...

[Pearls Before Swine]

Some time I'll tell you how my mentor was nearly killed by AH for expressing his first hand observations on arab allies.

AH? I don't get the reference.

[Righty1]

The miserable corporal himself.

[gogoline]

What is your point? These sorry muslim bastar(ds are killing us because we believe in Jesus or God without their stupud allah. And we are breaking the "glass ceiling " so Ms England can have her picture taken with a leash on some Iraqi "detainee". We are drowning in political correctness and we better wake up or you and your family will be weeping over a decapitation like the Bergs.

[gogoline]

Why was this young man DETAINED BY THE US MILITARY?? He was trying to leave back in April.?? Please answer this question for his Dad and Mom??????????

[Freemeorkillme]

And I don't care if I'm banned reposting such accurate assessments:

"It is time to take off the gloves. If any of you haven't experienced muslim arabs first hand there are some facts you need to know. These are the most arrogant "people" since the SS. The dominant opinion in their world before we toppled the talibang was that if you bomb enough Americans they will eventually get up the nerve to sue you. They have a way of turning away and raising their great honkers when you speak to them that makes you want to extract their heart and chew on it while they watch. They are so damned illogical because they are always trying to square their absolute belief in their total superiority with the miserable performance of their wretched race. I don't care if I am banned for saying these things because they come from experience. Some time I'll tell you how my mentor was nearly killed by AH for expressing his first hand observations on arab allies."

Chew on that, TaliHoes!

[An American In Dairyland]

>>Amazing how the "Arab Street" has filled with protestors screaming in outrage how their religion has been hijacked by demon possessed monsters that betray the principles of their Master! What a sight to behold! Ooops. It ain't happening, is it? Actually, these people have all made their "god" an accomplice to MURDER. Sort of clues you in as to who their "god" is, doesn't it? These people pray to Satan 5 times a day. Get a clue America.<<

Haven't you heard? Islam is the religion of LOOOOOVE. I am so sick and tired of hearing that tired old lie. I'm losing all patience with W because he's one of the many who keep repeating this horsesh*t. Unless he drops the Islam = Love and Peace I'm staying home on November 2.

[gogoline]

And thank you F'n s0b.

[ambrose]

..

[gogoline]

"Kitty Kitty" up your rusty red big boy.

[Napoleon Solo]

With Mr. Berg being Jewish, maybe or hopefully the Mossad will lend us a hand in finding these mutants and bring them to their own long hard chilling an slow deaths. All of them, not only the swordsputz.

In fact, may be the Mossad can help us all find OBL and his henchmen since, G_d willing, we are no closer now than in pre-9/11.

[Jim Robinson]

gogoline aka medarville, grandlodgemi, canyondweller, lightening Bug, sanjonnm, polymolly, ironandfire, gollymolly, mollygolly, madridkid, barrister2, sceenname, dolliegirl, gotohelgemrob, westernsizzler, urworstnm, bkagan, mybonnielassie, fiddlerscove, iwannabe, malinthropy, fayetteky, jimlumpit, lucckyu, runningbare, winslowaz, happyface3, cyclops2, polibuz, footballisking, jollytime, decibel, memosmemo, aberdeensd, stomponu, hollycourt, larrylament, allaglow, mrgiggles, stevenprice, pizzaboy, budlight2, marvomagic, horizon3, bellathecat, everyfriday, reflector, taosbum, igotfreedom, ascenciones, clonehead2, ilikeike2, millydcat aka emasculated, delbertandwilma, applevalleyman, mitymikie, elmosfire, moonbeam, moonbounce, miteymo, woodypecker, GWMDB, diamondbill, sundaywalker2, sundaywalker, leapinglizzard, austinred, chewchew2, Rebel63, DOLLYANDBELLA, footballisking, horizon3, alilrainmustfall, mollyshouse, theredraider, lonelynlove, bellathecat, everyfriday, STANDUPANDFITE, CLONESTONE, reflector, replacement4multi, taosbum, wokeupdismornin, igotfreedom, petenrepeat, birdman2, groundhogday, turninproud, nomoney, downtheriver, keeponrollin, bigwheel, wadecollins, silverlizzard perrogrande, littledog, dollylolly, doublet, chiefraincloud, Mr.Cahthey, Channelcat, dollygirl, greyhawk, 325eye, michellcraig, augustus, virginiacreeper, zuluoscar, buffalo124, collin, Dr.Cookie, et al, zotted again.

[Savage Beast]

“Their barbarism could not be more clear after today. On both fronts it’s the same menace.”

Of course it's the same menace. President Bush was wise to realize that the Saddam Hussein regime and the terrorists who attacked America on September 11, 2003, represent the same enemy.

"Berg’s father, Michael, and his small business, Prometheus Methods Tower Service Inc., were listed as endorsers of a coalition called Act Now to Stop War and End Racism. The coalition opposed the Iraq war."

Anyone who is not psychotic opposes the war we are now waging--in fact, all war.

Anyone who is not stupid understands that our enemy started the war, attacked the U.S., and left us no choice but to defend ourselves.

The United States did not start this war. The American people never wanted it, do not want it now, and have no choice but to defeat this enemy.

We are at war with the 21st-century recrudescence of Naziism. We have no choice but to defeat these neo-Nazis. Appeasement will not work. The problem will not go away because we wish it to. Anybody who doesn't understand this is stupid.

[CholeraJoe]