AMBASSADOR YORAM ETTINGER DISCUSSES THE ISLAMIC THREAT TO U.S. INTERESTS AT AFSI NATIONAL CONFERENCE, DEC. 5, IN NYC

Sunday, Dec. 5, Americans For a Safe Israel/AFSI held an all day Conference in New York dedicated to the late David Bar-Illan, with over 250 in attendance. It was entitled, “Islam’s War Against America and Israel.”

Ambassador Yoram Ettinger was the keynote speaker. He made it clear that “the creation of a ‘Palestinian’ state will not lessen Middle East terrorism in general and anti-U.S. terrorism in particular.” He asserted that, “regardless of the “Palestinian” issue, of Israel’s policy and Israel’s existence, anti-U.S. Islamic terrorism will continue.” We were reminded that it was “the establishment of the PA in 1993 by the Oslo Accord, supported by the Wye Accord and the Road Map,  that was perceived by terrorists as a reward to their systematic campaign of terrorism and intimidation against Israel. This launched the most intense wave of anti-U.S. terrorism regardless of Israeli concessions and independent of U.S. pressure on Israel. There was the 1993 attack on the Twin Towers, the 1995/6 attacks in Saudi Arabia, the 1998 attacks in Kenya and Tanzania, and the 2000 attack in Aden  culminating with the destruction of the Twin Towers on 9/11/2001.”  Ettinger indicated that the 1700 plus Israelis murdered by Arab terrorism since Oslo would be equivalent to the murder of 85,000 Americans, or twenty-four Twin Towers. He pointed out that “Islamic terrorism has targeted the U.S. in spite of the fact that six times in the last decade the U.S. went in harm’s way in defense of Muslims in Kuwait, Northern Iraq, Somalia, Bosnia and Kosovo.”

Ambassador Ettinger concluded by calling for moral clarity rather than “evenhandedness.” He asked that Israel and America be more concerned with security than “process,” advocating pre-emption rather than retaliation. He concluded with a call for a resurrection of the Judeo-Christian values of the past. 

 Frank Gaffney, President and founder of the Center for Security Policy who spoke of the prospects after Arafat, was the first speaker in the morning session. He predicted that Arafat’s disciples would follow in his footsteps and that no positive changes should be expected.

 Professor Louis Rene Beres, Professor of International Law at Purdue University, gave a detailed talk on the nuclear threat posed by Iran. He stressed the need for pre-emption in the situation.

Ibn Warrak, author of “Why I Am Not a Muslim and Leaving Islam: Apostates Speak Out,” lectured on the Koran, detailing the many chapters and verses which call for Jihad and provide fertile ground for Islamic enmity against the west.

 Dr. Andrew Bostom, whose forthcoming book, “The Legacy of Jihad,” will include a longer version of his speech, described thirteen centuries of Moslem oppression of Jews and Christians in Palestine.

During lunch, Herbert Zweibon, Chairman of AFSI, delivered a tribute to David Bar-Illan, citing his multi-talented career as a distinguished pianist, author, and journalist, as well as being one of the early leaders of Americans For A Safe Israel. Ruth King, Chairman of the Conference, gave a hard-hitting analysis of AFSI’s unwavering position in support of a whole Israel.

The afternoon sessions opened with a panel entitled:  Christian Zionists- An Enduring Friendship. Rabbi Gerald Meister, advisor to the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Dr. James Hutchens Chaplain (Brigadier General US Army Ret.) and chairman and President of USA Christians for Israel discussed the imperative for continued friendship, cooperation of Jews and Christians, and the dangers of "replacement theology" which may undermine some Christian support for Israel.

Rachel Fish, the next speaker, explained how along with The David Project, she initiated the idea of producing the movie, “Columbia Unbecoming,” detailing the anti- Israel bias at Columbia University.  Ms. Fish also discussed her unique and successful campaign as a Harvard Divinity School graduate, which culminated in getting the school to return a $2.5 million gift to its donor, Sheik Zayed vin Sultan al-Nahyan, the president of the United Arab Emirates.

Alyssa Lappen,a prominent participant in the efforts to expose media bias against Israel, detailed the Mohammed Al Dhury (the child supposedly killed by Israelis while cowering with his father) fraud perpetrated by the French media, and circulated throughout the world in an ongoing effort to discredit the IDF.

            The day’s program concluded with Helen Freedman, Executive Director of AFSI, describing the November AFSI/ZOA Chizuk Mission to Hebron, Jerusalem, Gush Katif/Gaza, and Judea and Samaria. She spoke of the modern day Maccabees who are now battling both the Arab terrorists and the Sharon government in their struggle to remain in their homes and on their lands. Helen invited everyone to join AFSI on their next Chizuk mission to Israel, which will take place May 29 to June 7, 2005. Reservations are welcome at AFSI: 212-828-2424; afsi@rcn.com.

It was generally agreed that this may have been AFSI’s most successful conference to date. Those interested in reading the details of the lectures may find them outlined in the January 2005 OUTPOST. In addition, the AFSI website: www.afsi.org will carry transcripts of the various talks. Questions and comments are welcome.