OUR UNREPORTED GRASS ROOTS COUNTER-PROTEST AT THE WALDORF
By: Helen Freedman
On Tuesday evening, March 9, from 5-7 P.M., in New York City, close to 250 defenders of Israel gathered at the NYPD designated spot on Park Avenue, opposite the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, to counter-protest against those who were there to defame and denigrate Israel’s Chief of Staff, Lt. General Gabi Ashkenazi and the IDF. While hundreds of Israel haters, including members of left-wing Jewish organizations, and the Neturai Karta, marched on Lexington Avenue and across Park Avenue, right in front of the Waldorf, with their professionally made signs, all black with white letters, our groups, the lovers of Israel, were enthusiastically carrying their flags, signs, and banners in support of Israel.
Our grass roots groups, in addition to Americans for a Safe Israel/AFSI, included the Human Rights Coalition Against Radical Islam, with Andy Upton and Marvin Belsky leading the way. Their organization includes many Hindus, and the Namdhari Sikh Foundation members were there supporting our efforts. Lori Lowenthal Marcus, of Z Street, had arranged to bring in Col. Ben-Tzion Gruber, an amazing speaker from Israel who gives detailed information about the scrupulous efforts made on the part of the IDF to be as moral and ethical and humane in their fighting program as is humanly possible. In many cases, the restraint exercised by the IDF to prevent human casualties puts the lives of Israel’s soldiers in danger.
With the help of Pam Geller of Atlas Shrugs, Lori interviewed Col. Gruber on the spot and the interview is posted on their blogs. Lori also secured copies of records of the leaflets, phone calls and local radio and TV station messages which were sent out by the IDF during Operation Cast Lead, alerting the civilians to their planned actions and telling civilians to evacuate targeted places. We know that the Arab reaction to these warnings, in many cases, simply encouraged the leaders to send women and children to the rooftops, thereby preventing the IDF from carrying out their plans. What other army would fight a war in such a way? Certainly not the Arabs, who use their civilians as human shields, and deliberately fight from hospitals, schools, mosques and homes.
We also had a large showing from the Russian Jewish community, as well as youngsters from various schools and synagogues. They were so eager to hold the flags, signs and banners supporting Israel. It was heartwarming to have the young people with us. Supporters also came from such groups as Stand With Us, the National Council of Young Israel, Get Out The Facts, ZOA, Shalom International, Jewish Action Alliance, Jewish Voice and Opinion, and the World Committee for the Land of Israel. Some passers-by, who saw our signs and gave us the thumbs up, also joined with us. Israelis visiting from Israel, such as Dan Luria of Ateret Cohanim and Yossi Baumol of the Hebron Fund were there, speaking to the crowd and giving us the benefit of their first hand knowledge. Rabbi David Algaze, spiritual leader of Congregation Havurat Yisrael in Forest Hills, Queens, NY, who is always ready to lend his support to our efforts on behalf of Israel, was there, offering words of strength and encouragement.
When we understood that the NYPD would not stop us from “walking” with our signs, as the Israel haters were doing, we began walking also. We walked past the designated location of the Arabs, just a block away from our spot. The PA flags were flying boldly, and a huge loud speaker was set up. As we walked past them, venomous words were hurled at us. So much hatred and ignorance was evident. I’m proud to say that our messages were just the opposite. We see ourselves as educators and spokesmen of the truth. Tragically, in the world of blind hatred, truth does not seem to carry much weight.
As for the media presence, it was not very visible. Al-Jazeera interviewed me, along with Dan Luria. A fellow who said he was from the NY Times took pictures of me holding my sign which read, “AFSI stands with the IDF.” He interviewed me also, taking my name and position as Executive Director of AFSI. I made sure to give him a flyer about Col. Kemp who described the IDF as the most moral and ethical army he has ever known. Our flyer also carried David Bedein’s article on “The Real Apartheid State,” which would be “Palestine,” if it ever came into existence. I have no idea if he wrote anything up, or if he even was from the Times, since he was wearing a khaffiyya scarf around his neck.
The JTA reporter never bothered to interview me or any of the other organizers, to my knowledge. The fact that their report disposed of our counter-protest with a one sentence dismissive description is certainly no credit to their reporting talents or interests. Where the JTA reporter described some of the signs carried by the Israel haters, he/she couldn’t be troubled to describe any of our signs highlighting the abuses of Muslims throughout the world against all “infidels”, the danger that Hamas poses to all, including the “Palestinians,” and our favorite sign of all, “The world does not need another Arab terrorist state.”
I’m very grateful to all those who stood together with us at yet another demonstration in support of Israel. It is unfortunate that we never get the participation of the 52 organizations that make up the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations. Perhaps something will happen to make them realize that silence in the face of oppression, is acquiescence.
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