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.

 

 

 

Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines June 30, 2014  The Jewish Federation is horrified by the murder, now confirmed, of the three Israeli teens. We stand in support of Israel in its time of need.  http://www.timesofisrael.com/bodies-of-three-kidnapped-teens-found/   Jewish Federations of North America Express Grief and Outrage Over Deaths of Kidnapped Students in Israel   The Jewish Federations of North America and the worldwide Jewish community joined with the State of Israel today in grief and horror following the announcement of the tragic deaths of  Eyal Yifrach, Naftali Fraenkel and Gilad Shaar.   Michael Siegal, Chair of the Jewish Federations Board of Trustees, issued the following statement: "It is simply unimaginable that anyone could commit such a heinous and despicable act such as this. As Jews, as mothers and fathers, as sons and daughters, and simply as people, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Eyal, Naftali and Gilad at this time. There is no reason - none - why a tragedy like this should have occurred. The Jewish Federations stand alongside our brothers and sisters across the world and in Israel in condemnation of this senseless murder, and we pray that those responsible are swiftly brought to justice."

 

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JCPA: Public Prayer Decision Erodes Bill of Rights

May 05, 2014: JCPA:    Public Prayer Decision Erodes Bill of Rights

SUBMITTED BY BEN 1 DAY AGO

Public Prayer Decision Erodes Bill of Rights

Washington, DC - Today’s Supreme Court decision allowing sectarian prayer before public meetings was an erosion of the Bill of Rights and its protections, said the Jewish Council for Public Affairs. The case, Town of Greece v. Susan Galloway and Linda Stephens, was narrowly decided by a vote of 5-4 in favor of the town’s right to open public meetings with a prayer. The JCPA joined an amicus brief with the American Jewish Committee in opposition to the Town and in support of existing precedents regarding separation of religion and state. 

“A guiding principle in our democracy is that no group or individual feels that the government prefers one religion over another.  The First Amendment protections are intended to ensure just that. Beginning our public meetings with a sectarian prayer can make some feel excluded. It is not the way to achieve a strong, dynamic, and inclusive union,” said JCPA President Rabbi Steve Gutow. “We believe strongly in the importance of each us being free to worship and practice our own religion as we choose. That freedom contributes to our success as a diverse nation. But one should not have to participate in another’s religious practice in order to take part in civic activities.” 

“We are very disappointed in this decision which diminishes The Bill of Rights and erodes 60 years of understanding of the Establishment Clause,” said JCPA Chair Susan W. Turnbull. “The Court today opened the gates to reconsidering years of legal precedents and court decisions. We are concerned that this could mark a turn towards more religion in the public arena which could discourage the participation of minority groups.”

 

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Jewish Federation statement on Israel Independence Day, 2014

Happy 66th Birthday, Israel!   Jewish Federation congratulates the people of Israel on Israel Independence Day, 2014   With its establishment on May 14, 1948 [5 Iyar, 5708] the State of Israel began a new chapter in the history of the Jewish people.  Accompanied by both jubilation and adversity, the birth of Israel 66 years ago opened the doors to Jews worldwide to come and live in a democratic and Jewish nation state, a state in which all citizens would be protected, as promised within Israel's proclamation of independence, with access to freedoms unparalleled in the Middle East.   Here is that portion of the proclamation that serves to guarantee those vital promises:   THE STATE OF ISRAEL will be open for Jewish immigration and for the Ingathering of the Exiles; it will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions; and it will be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.    From its tenuous beginnings, Israel, which is about 1/5th the size of Iowa, has grown remarkably.   With more immigrants per capita than any other country in the world, Israel's population now exceeds 8 million people, 20% of whom are its Arab citizens.  It has become a country in which need has necessitated innovation, and innovation has spurred invention.  Whether in the fields of medicine, agriculture, water reclamation, or computer technology, Israel continues to find new ways to improve the quality of life for its citizens and has shared its advances with the world.  In terms of saving lives, the Israelis are very often the first to send medical personnel to countries ravaged by natural disasters, and the Israeli hospitals are second to none in extending their services on a humanitarian basis, often providing assistance to wounded and ailing people from hostile neighboring countries.   On this Israel Independence Day, we offer our heartfelt congratulations to the people of Israel, the democracy it is and the Jewish homeland.  We ask that all Americans join us in wishing it continued prosperity, ingenuity, vibrancy, strength, and most of all, for the sake of all its citizens, lasting security and peace. ----   This statement was issued May 6, 2014 on behalf of the Jewish Federation of Greater Des Moines by the Jewish Community Relations Commission.   Comments may be sent to jcrc@dmjfed.org.

 

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