A Visitor's Introduction to the Iowa Holocaust Memorial

Here’s a link to the booklet:

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/document-preview.aspx?doc_id=171986867

 

 

 

Revised: Statement in Support of Israel from Iowans Supporting Israel, Christians United For Israel, and Jewish Federation , July 21, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    Revised:  July 21, 2014   

Contact: Mark S. Finkelstein,  jcrc@dmjfed.org

 

Joint statement from:  Iowans Supporting Israel, Christians United For Israel, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines

 

In support of Israel as it battles terrorism

 

Hamas, which has been declared a terrorist organization by the American government, the E.U., and others, has significantly increased its assault on Israeli citizens by launching over 1000 rockets over the last several weeks. The situation is intolerable. Civilians living closest to Gaza have only 15 seconds to find safety when warning sirens are engaged. Rockets have rained down on the holy city of Jerusalem, the economic center of Tel Aviv, and all the way to Eilat, the country’s southern tip. 

 

Israel must and currently is protecting its citizens by seeking and destroying rocket arsenals, command centers, and tunnels through which killers have recently infiltrated from Gaza into Israel. Unfortunately, and insidiously, Hamas has often located these targets in or near residential neighborhoods, hospitals, schools, and mosques. To make matters worse, Hamas is encouraging and celebrating civilians who serve as shields, a practice forbidden by international law. 

 

Make no mistake. We, the undersigned, profoundly mourn the loss of innocent life on both sides of this painful conflict and pray that peace can be restored soon. But peace requires that Israel be joined by a partner.  Israel agreed to the ceasefire proposal put forth by Egypt.  To date, Hamas has not.  In fact, Hamas responded to ceasefire efforts observed by Israel by firing more rockets.

 

 

In this trying time, it is comforting that Israel has the support of the American people, as affirmed by a recent poll, as well as President Obama and Congress.

 

President Obama has stated: “I will say very clearly, no country can accept rocket fired indiscriminately at citizens. And so, we’ve been very clear that Israel has the right to defend itself against what I consider to be inexcusable attacks from Hamas.”

 

Bipartisan resolutions have been passed unanimously by both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives reflecting “United States support for the State of Israel as it defends itself against unprovoked rocket attacks from the Hamas terrorist organization.”

 

We, the bipartisan leadership of Iowans Supporting Israel, the nonpartisan grassroots organization Christians United For Israel, and the nonpartisan Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines, are thankful for these stated positions and urge all people of good will to stand with Israel as it battles terrorism.

 

[Signatories, below.]

 

 

Michael Schreurs

Matt Strawn

Ed Skinner

Bud Hockenberg

                                        

Iowans Supporting Israel     http://iowanssupportingisrael.com/

Contact: Michael Schreurs, (515)453-2002    

 

Thomas W. McGovern

Iowa State Director

Christians United For Israel     

 Contact: IowaCUFI@cleavelandinsurance.com

 

 

Stuart Oxer

Executive Director

Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines     Contact: jcrc@dmjfed.org

 

                         - - end --

                        

 

 

 

 

 

Omission

The following was unintentionally omitted from the joint statement issued on July 18

 

“In attempting to eliminate Hamas’ launchers and its supply of missiles provided by Iran, and while targeting its military command centers, regrettably innocent Gazans have been killed.  Not to minimize the tragic death of innocents, we hold Hamas entirely responsible – as does international law -- for those who died when it fired rockets from amid civilians or used civilians as human shields.  “

 

In support of Israel: Joint Statement 7/18/2014 from Iowans Supporting Israel and the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     July 18, 2014

 

Joint statement from:  Iowans Supporting Israel

and the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines

 

In support of Israel as it battles terrorism

 

Hamas, which has been declared a terrorist organization by the American government, the E.U., and others, has significantly increased its assault on Israeli citizens by launching over 1000 rockets over the last several weeks. The situation is intolerable. Civilians living closest to Gaza have only 15 seconds to find safety when warning sirens are engaged. Rockets have rained down on the holy city of Jerusalem, the economic center of Tel Aviv, and all the way to Eilat, the country’s southern tip. 

 

Israel must and currently is protecting its citizens by seeking and destroying rocket arsenals and command centers. Unfortunately, and insidiously, Hamas has often located these targets in or near residential neighborhoods, hospitals, schools, and mosques. To make matters worse, Hamas is encouraging and celebrating civilians who serve as shields, a practice forbidden by international law. 

 

Hamas responded to two ceasefire efforts—which Israel agreed to—by firing more rockets.

 

In this trying time, it is comforting that Israel has the support of the American people, as affirmed by a recent poll, as well as President Obama and Congress.

 

President Obama has stated: “I will say very clearly, no country can accept rocket fired indiscriminately at citizens. And so, we’ve been very clear that Israel has the right to defend itself against what I consider to be inexcusable attacks from Hamas.”

 

Bipartisan resolutions have been passed unanimously by both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives reflecting “United States support for the State of Israel as it defends itself against unprovoked rocket attacks from the Hamas terrorist organization.”

 

We, the bipartisan leadership of Iowans Supporting Israel and the nonpartisan Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines, are thankful for these stated positions and urge all people of good will to stand with Israel as it battles terrorism.

 

Michael Schreurs       Stuart Oxer, Executive Director

Matt Strawn               Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines

Ed Skinner                  Contact: (515) 987-0899 ext. 231   jcrc@dmjfed.org

Bud Hockenberg

                        

Iowans Supporting Israel 

Contact: Michael Schreurs, (515)453-2002          

http://iowanssupportingisrael.com/                          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statement from the Jewish Community Relations Commission on the IDF’s Movement of Troops into Gaza       July 17, 2014

 

The JCRC would like to update the community with the following news.  Following another day of heavy rocket attacks by Hamas and the infiltration of guerillas into Israel, Israel’s government authorized Israeli troops to enter Gaza, this evening, to defend Israel’s citizens.

 

We are thankful that President Obama has spoken unequivocally in support of Israel’s obligation to defend itself:   “I will say very clearly, no country can accept rocket fired indiscriminately at citizens. And so, we’ve been very clear that Israel has the right to defend itself against what I consider to be inexcusable attacks from Hamas…” Similar sentiments have been expressed on a bi-partisan fashion by many members of the United States Congress.

 

The ground incursion comes after Hamas launched more than 1350 rockets from Gaza since July 8^th, targeting 75% of Israel’s population and Hamas’ rejection of Egypt’s recent ceasefire proposal.  During the ceasefire observed by Israel, Hamas had launched 50 rockets.

 

In attempting to eliminate Hamas’ launchers and its supply of missiles provided by Iran, and while targeting its military command centers, regrettably innocent Gazans have been killed.  Not to minimize the tragic death of innocents, we hold Hamas entirely responsible – as does international law -- for those who died when it fired rockets from amid civilians or used civilians as human shields. 

 

As reported today, Egypt placed the responsibility squarely on Hamas for Israel’s ground operation. “Had Hamas accepted the Egyptian proposal,” stated Sameh Shoukri, Egypt’s Foreign Minister, “it could have saved the lives of at least 40 Palestinians.”

 

Although we are disappointed that Hamas’ actions made it necessary for Israel to initiate a ground operation, we hope that the objectives of the incursion can be attained rapidly and that the dangers posed by Hamas to Israelis as well as to Gazans can be controlled if not altogether eliminated.  Peace and the establishment of a permanent two states for two peoples resolution of the broader conflict remains the ultimate goal.

 

Jarad Bernstein, Chair, Jewish Community Relations Commission of the  

                        Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines

Mark S. Finkelstein, JCRC Director

 

Send comments to jcrc@dmjfed.org

 

 

 

Israel Update, July 9, 2014

Top insight of the day:   “Why is Hamas fighting with Israel again, although there are no Israeli troops in Gaza?  Because, for Hamas, hostility to the very fact of Israel's existence still far outweighs any and all other interests. “ 

                            --  David Horovitz  http://www.timesofisrael.com/why-are-we-fighting-with-gaza-again/

 

We stand with the Israeli People....   "Operation Protective Edge is an absolutely legitimate act of self defense.  No person or family should have to live in fear of the next rocket landing on their houses."   -- Jewish Council for Public Affairs "We strongly condemn the continuing rocket fire inside of Israel and the deliberate targeting of civilians and we support Israel's right to defend itself against these vicious attacks." -- White House Spokesman Josh Earnest. Since Monday, July 7, Hamas, which is dedicated to Israel's destruction, fired over 160 rockets and mortars from Gaza into Israeli cities, targeting cities as far north as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.    Israel's goals are to protect its citizens and to put an end to the launching of rockets from Gaza. The American supplied Iron Dome anti-missile system has strategically intercepted 23 of the rockets which would have likely done the greatest damage. In addition to countering rocket and mortar-fire from Gaza, Israel is also threatened by cross-border incursions from Hamas, including recently stopping an armed group that sought to infiltrate Israel from the sea. At the moment, millions of Israelis are being forced into bomb shelters.  Schools are closed in various districts and public activities are being cancelled. Israeli President Shimon Peres has indicated today that an Israeli ground offensive might begin "quite soon," if required. Send comments to jcrc@dmjfed.org.