US to Israelis: 'We will not forget your friendship'

Jerusalem Post ^ | 09/12/01 | Staff

[veronica]

US to Israelis: 'We will not forget your friendship'

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Kurtzer made the following statement - first in English and then in Hebrew - in Jerusalem this afternoon:

"On behalf of the United States Government and the American people, I want to thank the people and the government of Israel for their generous expressions of sympathy and solidarity. The United States experienced horrific events yesterday. It was good and important to hear from our friends.

"We are deeply moved by Israel's response. The Government of Israel has declared a national day of mourning. The Israeli public is donating blood. The embassy is receiving numerous calls of condolence and solidarity. We appreciate the offers of assistance. Words cannot fully convey our appreciation. We will not forget your friendship.

"The United States embassy in Tel Aviv is operating today at a reduced capacity. We have no specific information regarding threats to American citizens or interests in Israel, but prudence dictates that we heighten our security posture. We thank Israeli authorities for their assistance in this regard.

"President Bush has spoken about our government's response to this heinous crime. America and our friends join with all those who want peace and security. We stand together to win the war against terrorism. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. We will go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.

"May God bless all the families and friends touched by yesterday's tragedy."

[veronica]

FYI.

[veronica]

FYI.

[anniegetyourgun]

Thanks for posting this.

[lovecraft]

Israel, Britain, Canada....those people really came through for us yesterday. People and countries are choosing sides.

It's time for a fight.....blood will run.

[beowolf]

From the Jerusalem Post:

(08:15 - Wed) Thousands of Israelis missing near WTC, Pentagon

The Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem has so far received the names of 4,000 Israelis believed to have been in the areas of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon at the time of the attack.

The list is made up of people who have not yet made contact with friends or family, Army Radio reported.

Telephone connections between Israel and the New York City and Washington, D.C. areas has been sporadic and unreliable since the multiple attacks yesterday.

Ten thousand people are estimated to have been killed in the New York attacks and another 800 in Washington.

Several hundred also went down with the hijacked planes.

Israel will not forget.

[rb22982]

God Bless Israel

[neutrino]

Thank you, Veronica. America needs to remember its real friends - and Israel is a true friend.

[Nachum]

An excellent post.

(pssst... it might be a good time to open up that book of Tehillim)

[Tacis]

Let's not be so quick to embrace the Israelis. How is it that they did not warn us? They are supposed to have a great intellegence service and this was a large, well coordinated attack. Did they know? Why didn't they tell us? There are many, many reasons why they'd keep word like this to themselves. Declaring a day of mourning is not friendship, good information is. The Israelis profit from this attack because there is now very little American protest for the assasinations, for bulldozing Palestinians homes, or arresting bad guys without process. No, I'd like to see some concrete help before jumping to this conclusion.

[DonQ]

Virtually every Jew in Israel knows someone who lives in America ... and possibly in NYC.

By the same token, just about anywhere in NYC, even in the most miserable slums or the farthest edges of Queens or Brooklyn, on every block there's someone who knew someone who worked in or next to the World Trade Center.

Right now I would suppose that Israelis are not just sharing in the grief of their American friends/relatives/allies, but they are also worried that this could signal an all-out Arab war on American and Israel simultaneously and/or that America will become so preoccupied with the villains in yesterday's bombings that it might be less helpful to Israel.

As for Arafat:
In 1980 he sided with the Ayatollah in the hostage crisis.
In 1991 he sided with Saddam in the invasion of Kuwait.
Two years ago he sided with whoever blew up the US embassies in Africa.
This past year his hand-picked Mufti of Palestine & Jerusalem has declared it a religious duty for Moslems to attack not only Jews everywhere but also Americans everywhere.

I do think that Arafat is well past his shelf date.

[freedom_from_socialism]

We MUST and WILL support Israel.

[Aric2000]

And who says that they didn't warn us that something was coming. No, I will not jump to this conclusion. Israel is a GOOD friend, and after we told them to tone down their counterattacks. No, Israel is now going to help us in any way they can, and we are now going to give them a total free hand in their response to the palestinians. Why do you think every terrorist organization has condemned this attack, they are scared to death of what we can do, and what we are capable of.

No, Israel is our freind, and I for one welcome any all humanitarian help that they will give. It is time for us to get together and take these terrorists down likr the rabid dogs they are.

[BenF]

At my shul last night, and I suspect at Orthodox shuls all over this country, a special prayer service was held for the victims, the wounded, the families and friends, and truly, for all of us.

[cicero's_son]

Israel is our best and truest friend.

I was so moved yesterday when I saw Sharon's press conference. Two nations, blessed by God, united and inseparable in these late days.

[BenF]

The Israelis profit from this attack because there is now very little American protest for the assasinations, for bulldozing Palestinians homes, or arresting bad guys without process.

Spoken like a true Palestinian!!!!

No, I'd like to see some concrete help before jumping to this conclusion.

The Israelis are sending over 120 soldiers, experienced in finding people in bombed out buildings, to help search for survivors. Is that concrete enough for you?

I must complement you on your courage. Most of the other anti-"Israel" types are still hiding under their rocks. But not you. Safe behind your computer screen, you come out to spew your vile accusations against Israel (read Jews), while the Palestinians you care so much about are celebrating the murder of MY (read NOT YOUR) fellow Americans.

[BenF]

Israel is the best ally we have, next to Great Britain.

When our embassies were bombed in Africa, Israel sent teams of specialists to help, as they are doing now. What has Great Britain ever done for us?

[Faraday]

America has made a committment to the existence of the state of Israel. I have always believed that the U.S. must, while being good to our word in this committment, operate strictly in the best interest of the U.S. and no one else. Now that best interest is served by resolving the Palestinian question through supporting the establishment of an Israeli state within borders Israel determines are necessary for its own protection. Jerusalem should be recognized as the capitol of Israel. The Palestinians are free to negotiate a state in which they can exercise self-determination with Jordan, Syria, and/or Egypt (and good luck to them).

[BenF]

Talk is cheap and gratitude (especially towards Jews) is fleeting. Let's hope the attitudes of Israeli JEWS who are donating blood and sending their young men to help us in our hour of need is truly remembered. I also hope my fellow countrymen remember ARABS dancing in the streets in places like Egypt which receives so much money from us.