AFSI Leads Strong New York Anti-Freeze Demonstration

Sunday, Dec. 13, at 11 AM in the morning, over 75 people gathered in the cold and rain to stand across from the Israeli Consulate on Second Avenue and 42nd Street to protest the construction freeze ordered by PM Netanyahu on Judea and Samaria. The demonstration, organized and led by Helen Freedman of Americans For a Safe Israel/AFSI, brought together people of conscience who refused to stand idly by while their brethren in Israel were suffering through the hardships of a total building freeze.

Grass roots activists were the primary speakers, including Charlie Bernhaut, Glenn Richter, Charlotte Wahle, Odelia Jacobs, Rob Muchnick, Rabbi Bruce Rudolph, Paul Fein, Bud Macy, and Jack Ross. All of them supported a whole Israel without any conditions. They pointed out the danger of appeasing America and the EU and UN by calling a halt on Jewish growth, while the Arabs continue to build illegally and Mahmoud Abbas has rejected the "sacrifices for peace" being offered by Israel. There was total opposition to the strong-arm tactics being used by Defense Minister Barak in implementing the freeze orders. Kol hakovod was pronounced for all the settlers who refused to allow the freeze orders to be delivered, and to the soldiers who refused to enforce orders against their fellow Jews.

Recognition was given to the fact that concern about having President Barack Obama's cooperation on blocking the Iranian nuclear threat might have created the pressure on Netanyahu and the Ministers who approved the building freeze; however, it was declared that "using the settlements as a bargaining chip is unacceptable." The growing power of Hamas and Hezbollah, and the use of the Egyptian/Gaza tunnels for smuggling in weapons and rockets supplied by Iran was denounced, but "appeasement of the enemy is not the answer." Using the symbolism of the Chanukah story, the message about standing tall came through clearly.

As demonstrators held their Chanukah menorahs up high, the strength of the small group of Hamoneans, defying the mighty Greeks and the Jewish Hellenists, was celebrated. The demonstration ended with the singing of Hatikvah, and the strong affirmation of the words, "to be a free nation in our land," rang out loudly.