Times That Try One's Soul

by David Schlussel

"My father is a Jew, my mother is a Jew, and I am a Jew." Upon that required confession, and because of it, American Daniel Pearl's throat was slit and his head cut off.

We euphemistically say that our people are dying in Israel. But, we know that they are not simply dying; they are being murdered. And, we know why.

With each bomb in Jerusalem, with each terrorist attack at a bat mitzvah or a seder, with each bus turned into twisted metal with flesh splattered walls, we become anxious, sad, worried, … angry. The hotels in Israel are empty and closing. People are afraid to go out to eat. Israeli children are afraid to go shopping in toy stores. The economy is in free fall. The terrorists don't care if you are a Zionist or Anti-Zionist, religious or secular, Likud or Labor, or you live in "Israel proper" or a "settlement".

Yes, the terrorists have succeeded in terrifying, but not in paralyzing. There are things we can do. Sign up NOW for the NORPAC Member Mission to Washington on Wednesday, June 12. The solidarity rally a couple of weeks ago demonstrated to President Bush and others the strong interest and support of our Community for Israel. It had many benefits, but whether it will directly impact policy is an open question. On June 12th you will have the opportunity to go to Washington (yes, again) to meet in small groups with individual Members of Congress. As a community, we have only a limited ability to affect and alter policies of the Administration; however, NORPAC's experience has been that we definitely do have the ability to lobby and affect individual Congressmen and Senators from all over the country, not just from the NY area. They, in turn, do exert influence on the Administration in positive and meaningful ways.

Washington is where we must be. Why Congress? With fifty-seven Arab and Muslim countries pressuring the President and the State Department every day to "take care of the Israel problem", only one group provides a counter-balance - Congress. Also, Congress pays for the weapons systems being co-developed by Israel and the United States. Congress controls all foreign economic and military aid - nearly 3 BILLION dollars of that aid goes to Israel. With crises in places like Argentina, the additional 60 MILLION dollars Congress is considering allocating to Israel for it to help settle refugees is critical. The Arab governments, too, care about what Congress does. The most effective way to get the UN's attention is when the people who fund a quarter of their budget (i.e., the members of Congress) call them. These are but a few of the reasons.

We cannot take a supportive Congress for granted. It is important to note that three quarters of the members of Congress have served seven years or less. Such constant turnover requires constant efforts: to educate and advocate about the importance of the US-Israel relationship, to thank friends, and to develop new relationships. It is also important for Jews to recognize that other groups who wish Israel harm are becoming more organized, more vocal, and more politically active than ever. Public opinion changes rapidly. Without your involvement, how can we be sure that decision-makers in Washington will remain pro-Israel in the days and months ahead?

Israel is suffering. Iran, which continues to publicly announce and pursue its aim of destroying Israel, is deepening its influence with the Palestinians as never before. In Geneva, the UN Commission on Human Rights is once again demonizing Israel, following in the malevolent path of the Durban conference. This is a time to stand up for Israel. Palestinian terror is designed to break the will of Israelis and to undermine world support for the State. With all that is going on, what will you be able to tell your children you did on behalf of our brethren in Israel? By going to Washington to meet with Members of Congress, not only will you have a critical impact, you will be teaching your children through your deeds about their responsibilities to the Jewish people.

There are other things one can do, of course. One can call the White House and let them know how you feel (202-456-1414). One can monitor the fairness of media reports and take networks and newspapers to task when they are unfair or compliment them when they get a hard job right. One can go to Israel on solidarity missions or on vacations on one's own. One can contact foreign embassies and consulates when one feels that those countries are being unfair, or to thank them when they are supportive. One can contribute to Israel Terror Relief campaigns. And we should be calling our friends in Israel regularly.

But these are not enough. We must show Congress and the American public, through our numbers, the extent of our concern about Israel's situation. Once is not enough. We must take the time and put in the effort to make the statement. Many men who live in Israel take 30 days "off" per year to fulfill their army reserve duty, leaving their jobs and families and putting themselves in harm's way. One day of our time can have a huge impact.

As Thomas Paine wrote over 200 years ago during the nadir of the American Revolution:

"These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stands it NOW, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. ….

I call not upon a few, but upon all: … better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake. Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it. … throw not the burden of the day upon Providence, but 'show your faith by your works,' that God may bless you." COMMON SENSE, December 23, 1776.

Since 1948, Americans who care about Israel's survival have acted to ensure Israel's strength and security amid outpourings of international hatred. It is up to us at this moment to ensure that America continues to stand by Israel. It is up to us to work toward a time when Israelis can walk their streets, board a bus, attend a seder or a bat mitzvah, and eat a slice of pizza-live a normal life-without fear. It is up to you.

For more information: www.norpacweb.org David Schlussel is Chairman of NORPAC and an officer of other organizations focused on the US-Israel relationship.