Under the auspices of AMERICANS FOR A SAFE ISRAEL/AFSI, over 500 people gathered at Dag Hammerskjold Plaza in New York City on Sunday, Oct. 10, from 12:30-2:30 P.M., to speak out in solidarity with the threatened communities of Gush Katif/Gaza and the Shomron. Hundreds of Chabad demonstrators, led by Michoel Albukerk and Michoel Friend, joined with AFSI once again in declaring that ‘NOT ONE INCH’ of Israel’s precious land may be given away.

            A highlight of the event was listening to the pre-taped telephone conversations with Israelis. David Wilder, spokesman for the community of Hebron, Israel, enthusiastically endorsed more building of Jewish homes in Gush Katif, and denounced concessions to terrorists. Moshe Saperstein, resident of Neve Dekalim in Gush Katif, spoke about the miracles occurring there regularly, with the thousands of mortars targeted against the community by Arab terrorists with only a few tragically taking human life. Anita Tucker, a farmer in Netzer Hazani, Gush Katif, described her love and her family’s love for the land and the life they have created in Gush Katif. The determination of the 8000 residents of Gush Katif to remain in their homes and on their land despite PM Sharon’s threats to expel them was an inspirational message to all.  

             Eli Polterack, head of the Conservative Club at Columbia University, was Master of Ceremonies for the event, and began by welcoming those who had come in from Long Island, Brooklyn, Monsey, New Jersey, Queens, and Manhattan. Rabbi Yitzchok Shpringer of the Shofar Association was the first speaker, declaring unity and love of Israel. Helen Freedman, Executive Director of AFSI, spoke about the many negatives surrounding the Sharon expulsion plan, especially that this would be a reward for Arab terrorism.  She pointed out that it is the same Islamic terror, which began in Israel, and was permitted to go primarily unchecked, that has now spread to America and the world.

Evelyn Haies, Director of the Rachel’s Children Reclamation Foundation, gave a thumbnail sketch of the 3,000 year history of Jewish presence in Gaza.

The many distinguished rabbis who followed all spoke with passion and intellect about the biblical entitlement of the Jewish people to the entire land of Israel and emphasized the Rebbe’s message that “The Land of Israel belongs to the Jews.” The speakers included: Rabbi Yekutiel Rapp; Rabbi Dovid Shalom Paper, editor, writer and educator who lead the children in the recitation of psalms in support of Israel, with the crowd enthusiastically joining in with them; Rabbi Rafael Benchimchol, Rabbi of Manhattan Sephardic Center; Rabbi Josef Katzman, host of TV’s Cable to Jewish Life and Rabbi Shalom Ber Wolpe, Rabbi of Kiryat Gat, Israel, and renowned author, speaker and educator. Yehoshua Lavner provided live music on his keyboard which helped to elevate the mood of unity and solidarity with Israel amongst the attendees.

The many Rabbis who endorsed the rally included: Rabbi Saul Kassin, Chief Rabbi of Congregation Shaarei Zion and the Sephardic community; Rabbi Mordechai Tendler of Congregation Kehillas New Hempstead of Monsey, N.Y.; the Beis Din of the community of Crown Heights, and Rabbi Zevulun Leiberman of Congregation Beth Torah.

AFSI and Chabad promise to continue in their joint demonstrations on behalf of a whole Israel. Organizations interested in joining with them should call AFSI: 212-828-2424.