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Jewish Community News
News: September 2006
Nearly 500 brave sweltering heat to support Israel in San Jose rally
By Cecily Ruttenberg
Nearly 500 people took on the 100 degree heat in downtown San Jose on Sunday, July 23, to participate in an Israel Solidarity Rally. Waving Israeli flags and guzzling complimentary water, the group cheered the often-repeated message: We must stand with Israel!
The rally was convened by the Jewish Federation of Silicon Valley, and coordinated by the Jewish Community Relations Council, Israeli Consulate (Pacific Northwest Region) and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
San Jose City Councilman Forrest Williams made a succinct statement repeated by other speakers. “Every sovereign nation has the right to defend itself against violence,” he said.
Added San Jose Vice Mayor Cindy Chavez, “The people of Israel deserve to live in peace like people of all lands.”
Deputy Consul General Omer Caspi directly addressed one
of the most difficult criticisms lobbed at Israel, that of civilian deaths.
“It is hard for us to see innocent Lebanese and Palestinians suffer
so much because of the incompetence of their leadership,” he said.
“We gave peace a chance and today we say, ‘enough is enough’.
We must defend our people and we will stop only after our security is
fully assured.”
“We have a dangerous enemy,” he added, “one who has
no respect for human life. But we will prevail. We will prevail because
we know that we are doing the right thing.”
Reverend Rebecca Kuiken of the Stone Church of Willow Glen came as a Presbyterian representative supporting the Jewish state in its fight against Hezbollah terrorists. She emphasized that Israel must not be left alone to bring down this violent group.
“We must not let Israel bear the brunt of this responsibility
while we cluck our tongues and say, ‘isn’t this awful,’”
she said.
The rally ended with everyone chanting a heart-felt Hatikva, the Israeli
national anthem.
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