The following article was published in a number of print and online media outlets throughout the United States:
YOUNG ISRAEL GOES TO WASHINGTON, DC
By: N. Aaron Troodler
In the aftermath of Operation Protective Edge, during which Hamas
terrorists launched indiscriminate rocket attacks against Israel and Israel
endured unwarranted criticism from many in the international community, the
state of the U.S.-Israel relationship is as important as ever before. As the
diplomatic efforts to curtail Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions continue, it is
essential that Israel’s legitimate concerns about its safety and security be
duly addressed. With global anti-Semitism increasing at a rapid and frightening
pace, the effort to combat the hatred is absolutely vital.
It was against that backdrop that the National Council of Young
Israel’s (NCYI) Executive Board traveled to the nation’s capital on September
10, 2014 for its Leadership Mission to Washington, DC. Hailing from California,
Florida, and various cities up and down the East Coast, the Young Israel
leaders spent the day interacting with White House officials and key lawmakers
in Congress.
Participants in the mission included NCYI President Farley Weiss,
Chairman of the Board Bob Levi, 1st Vice President Yosef Poplack, Recording
Secretary Bea Seinuk-Ackerman, and Associate Vice Presidents Asher Miller,
Stanley Treitel, and Baila Weiss.
The day began with a special White House briefing that was
organized by Matt Nosanchuk, Director of Outreach for the National Security
Council and the Obama administration’s liaison to the Jewish community, at
which time the Young Israel mission participants were updated on a number of
important issues.
Two senior staff members from President Obama’s National Security
Council (NSC), Maher Bitar, Director for Israeli and Palestinian Affairs at the
NSC, and Nitin Chadda, Director for Iran at the NSC, provided timely
information relating to Israel’s security needs in the wake of Hamas’ attacks
on Israeli citizens, continuing peace discussions between the Israeli
government and the Palestinian Authority, the status of negotiations over
Iran’s nuclear capabilities, the troubling situation with regard to Turkey, and
the emergent threat posed by ISIL.
In addition, Stacy Bernard Davis, Senior Advisor for the U.S.
Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism at the U.S. Department of
State, made a presentation about government-to-government discussions relating
to the shocking rise in anti-Semitic attacks on European Jewish communities, as
well as engagement with the Jewish communities themselves.
The Young Israel mission participants then traveled to the U.S.
Capitol, where they were addressed by Senators and Representatives that play a
formative role in constructing legislation to enhance the relationship between
the United States and the State of Israel.
Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee, discussed his efforts to impose new sanctions on Iran in
order to keep the Iranian government honest and curtail its
illicit enrichment program. “Under no circumstances can Iran be allowed to
possess a nuclear weapon,” said Senator Menendez.
Senator Menendez also spoke about his staunch support for the State
of Israel. “I believe that Israel has the right to defend itself, just like any
other country in the world,” he said. “I will continue working to keep Israel
safe and secure.” The Senator decried Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas’
marriage to the terrorist group Hamas and noted that he is exploring the
imposition of financial consequences in response to the PA’s actions.
Referring to his feelings about the BDS movement, Senator Menendez
made his position extremely clear. “Any talk about boycotts of Israel are
condemnable by me,” he said.
Senator John McCain (R-AZ), a senior member of the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee, was unequivocal in conveying his sentiments about a
nuclear Iran. “We cannot look at Iran in a vacuum,” he said. “It’s not just
about nuclear weapons; they pose threats all over the region.”
“Iran remains the single greatest threat as a nation, as far as I
am concerned,” added Senator McCain.
Senator McCain also expressed his strong support for Israel and
noted his disappointment in the European reaction to the conflict in Gaza. “We’re
seeing neo-fascist activity in Europe,” he said.
In addition, Senator McCain spent some time discussing ISIS and the
threat that ISIS poses to the United States and Israel.
Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), who serves on the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee, emphatically stated that, “[t]here is no moral equivalency
between what Israel was doing to protect innocent lives and what Hamas was
doing to kill innocent lives.” Senator Cardin told the Young Israel leaders
that he wants the United Nations to investigate Hamas’ actions and stop
focusing all of its attention on Israel.
Noting that, “Iran does not want to give up their nuclear weapons
ambitions,” Senator Cardin declared that Israel is absolutely right to say that
they have no confidence in Iran. On the issue of sanctions against Iran, the
Senator noted that sanctions brought Iran to the table. “They are critically
important and they must be strengthened,” he said. “We need to keep the
pressure on Iran.”
Senator Cardin also discussed the recent rise in anti-Semitism
around the world. “There are governments that are encouraging anti-Semitism and
governments that are supporting anti-Semitism and that’s very scary,” he said.
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chair of the Subcommittee on the
Middle East and Central Asia, discussed the U.S.-Israel relationship and noted
that the recent situation in Gaza is exactly why the U.S.-Israel relationship
must grow even stronger.
“I feel a natural affinity and connection to the State of Israel,”
said Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen. “I will always voice my support for Israel’s
right to defend itself.”
The Congresswoman denounced Hamas’ use of civilians as human
shields in an attempt to have the world condemn Israel. “Israel warned people
in Gaza to get out; Hamas ordered them to stay,” she said.
“We need to show Israel’s enemies that the United States stands
steadfast with Israel and our support for Israel is strong and unwavering,”
said Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen. “As long as America is strong, Israel will be
strong.”
The National Council of Young Israel also heard from Rep. Eliot
Engel (D-NY), the Ranking Member on the House Foreign Relations Committee, and Rep.
Adam Schiff (D-CA) about the terrorist group ISIS in advance of President
Obama’s address to the nation about ISIS that was to take place later that
evening.
“ISIS is a direct threat to U.S. national security,” said
Congressman Engel. “If we don’t get them, they will get us.”
Congressman Schiff noted the important role that Arab countries
such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait can play in combatting ISIS. “They need
to tell the Muslim world that this is not Islam; its savagery,” he said.
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) discussed the issue of Iran and talked
about the ramifications of a nuclear-armed Iran. “You get terrorism with
impunity from Iran,” he said.
Congressman Sherman also offered his thoughts on Hamas’ actions
during its latest conflict with Israel. “Hamas’ goal is the maximum number of
deaths on either side,” he said. “They ask, how many funerals can we throw? Body
bag counting is not a moral substitute for sound analysis.”
“Every rocket fired by Hamas at an Israeli city is a separate war
crime,” said Congressman Sherman.
The Young Israel mission participants were also visited by Rep.
Brad Schneider (D-IL), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and
long-term activist within the Chicago Jewish community, who discussed the unbreakable
bond between the U.S. and Israel. “Congress stands together with a single voice
for support for Israel,” said Congressman Schneider. “We need to hold the
Palestinian Authority and Hamas accountable,” he added.
On the issue of Israel’s security, Rep. Matt Salmon (R-AZ) told the
Young Israel mission that, “Israel has the right to defend itself.” Referring
to Iran, Congressman Salmon said, “[w]e need to eliminate the possibility of
developing a nuclear weapon in Iran – to me, that’s non-negotiable.”
“In light of the numerous challenges facing the State of Israel and
Jewish communities across the globe, it is critical that the American Jewish
community make its concerns known on Capitol Hill and take steps to ensure that
our voices are heard by the decision-makers in our nation’s capital,” said NCYI
Chairman of the Board Bob Levi. “The National Council of Young Israel is
greatly appreciative to the Obama administration and the Members of Congress
for meeting with us and engaging in an honest and constructive dialogue on the
issues that matter most to our constituents and our brothers and sisters in the
State of Israel.”
Monday, September 22, 2014
A Special Aron Kodesh Finds A Home At Yeshivat Noam
The following article appeared in The Jewish Link of Bergen County:
A SPECIAL ARON KODESH FINDS A NEW HOME AT YESHIVAT NOAM
By: N. Aaron Troodler
As Yeshivat Noam welcomed in a new school year last week, it also welcomed in a brand new Aron Kodesh in the Middle School Beit Medrash.
The tall and majestic Aron Kodesh has beautiful dark wooden doors that are adorned with the design of a large golden menorah. One of its most unique features is the brightly lit interior portion, which consists of an ascending ladder that holds the Sifrei Torah, and which rotates when touched. The Aron is home to Yeshivat Noam’s three Torahs, which have been generously dedicated by Yeshivat Noam grandparents, Malca and Louis Drazin, and Yeshivat Noam parents, Shira and Clive Lipshitz, and Tammi and Bennett Schachter.
The Aron Kodesh was the centerpiece of the Sanctuary at Lincoln Square Synagogue on Manhattan’s West Side for years. Construction of the Synagogue’s new building a few doors down was nearing completion at the end of 2012. At the time, the congregation tried, without success, to find an appropriate place for the Aron in the new building. Left with no other choice when the congregation moved out of the old building, the Aron was dismantled and put into storage. If a new home would not be found for the Aron, it was ultimately to be buried.
Around the same time, Yeshivat Noam had completed the renovation of its brand new Middle School. The school’s new Beit Knesset had a temporary cabinet installed to hold its Sifrei Torah. Chaim Birman, a Yeshivat Noam parent and board and building committee member, happened to be overseeing the Lincoln Square Synagogue Project in his professional capacity. He brought the status of the Aron to principal Rabbi Chaim Hagler’s attention. Rabbi Hagler, who was once a youth director at Lincoln Square Synagogue, supported bringing this information to the Yeshivat Noam executive board’s attention. The board decided to pursue discussions with Lincoln Square Synagogue on possibly salvaging the Aron by relocating it into the new Middle School’s Beit Knesset. Over the months that followed, interested parties at both institutions worked together to make this a reality, culminating in the Aron’s installation at Yeshivat Noam at the end of August.
The Yeshivat Noam Middle School students received a special visit from Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Riskin, the Chief Rabbi of Efrat, Israel, and the Founding Rabbi of the Lincoln Square Synagogue, on the first day of Torah reading following the students’ return to school, who told them the story of the Aron Kodesh. Specifically, Rabbi Riskin discussed the extraordinary individual who dedicated the Aron Kodesh to his shul.
The Aron Kodesh, which was designed and built by Edward Jacobs, an architect who is also Rabbi Riskin’s son-in-law, was dedicated by the late Mrs. Martha Cohn in honor of the memory of her parents, both of whom perished in the Holocaust.
Rabbi Riskin recounted how he hired Mrs. Cohn as the first full-time secretary of the Lincoln Square Synagogue when he started the shul in 1964.
At the time, Rabbi Riskin was seeking to hire a young and modern secretary as part of his effort to attract people from the neighborhood around Lincoln Center to the shul. Rabbi Riskin characterized them as “very liberal people politically and not very given to religion.”
In walked a 64-year-old woman with a heavy German accent who said that she wanted to be the secretary for the synagogue. “There was something about her that made me feel this is the person,” he said. Martha Cohn was a widow and was not blessed with children. Despite facing some challenges in her life, Rabbi Riskin noted that, “she steadfastly always remained deeply religious.”
Martha Cohn was incredibly dedicated to the shul and to her work. Mrs. Cohn knew the phone numbers of all of the congregants in Lincoln Square by heart. She understood that there was a great deal of sensitivity needed in dealing with the Orthodox and non-Orthodox members of the shul. “She knew everybody, she spoke to everybody, she knew where everyone had to sit,” said Rabbi Riskin. “Her dedication is impossible to describe. She noticed everything.”
Toward the end of her life, Mrs. Cohn told Rabbi Riskin that she wanted to make a dedication to the shul. Although she was not a wealthy woman, her life was dedicated to the Lincoln Square Synagogue and to Shaare Tzedek Hospital in Israel. “Her life was service to Hakadosh Baruch Hu and Judaism,” said Rabbi Riskin. Martha Cohn informed Rabbi Riskin that she wanted an Aron Kodesh and that it should be in a place where there were children who could kiss the Sifrei Torah inside the Aron Kodesh.
Rabbi Riskin lovingly showed the Yeshivat Noam students the inside of the Aron Kodesh, which swivels, and described how he used to spin the part of the Aron that held the Torahs. “She used to say the Rabbi makes the Torah dance and that’s what I would like – I would like the Torah to be dancing,” said Rabbi Riskin. “So, all the years that I was the Rabbi of the synagogue, I would make sure the Torah was dancing when the ark was opened.”
Rabbi Riskin explained to the Yeshivat Noam Middle School students that Lincoln Square Synagogue moved to a new building and Martha Cohn’s Aron Kodesh did not fit in the new sanctuary due to the height of the ceiling. The shul was planning to chop up the Aron Kodesh and bury the pieces. “When I heard that, I burst out in tears,” said Rabbi Riskin. “The Torah and children and the future of Torah were the most important things to her.”
Instead, the Aron Kodesh found a new home at Yeshivat Noam. “When I heard the Aron was coming here, you have no idea how happy it made me feel,” said Rabbi Riskin. “It’s an Aron Kodesh that was dedicated by a very, very, very special woman,” he said. “May it be really a very fitting blessing and memorial to a very special woman, Martha Cohn.”
The results are magnificent. Not only do the Aron and the Yeshivat Noam Beit Knesset complement each other beautifully within the space, but it is also a message to future generations of students about the respect we all should have for Klei Kodesh. Furthermore, the Aron Kodesh that Mrs. Cohn dedicated specifically for children to enjoy has now found its permanent home in Yeshivat Noam, surrounded by hundreds of children who daven in its presence daily.
“Not only were we fortunate to be the beneficiaries of an aesthetically pleasing Aron Kodesh, but our Sifrei Torah also received a new home that is infused with Kedusha because of the unique and beautiful story behind its creation,” said Rabbi Chaim Hagler, Principal of Yeshivat Noam. “We are extraordinarily grateful to have this special Aron Kodesh at Yeshivat Noam and are extremely thankful to Rabbi Riskin for visiting with us and sharing with our students the rich history behind this wonderful addition to our school.”
A SPECIAL ARON KODESH FINDS A NEW HOME AT YESHIVAT NOAM
By: N. Aaron Troodler
As Yeshivat Noam welcomed in a new school year last week, it also welcomed in a brand new Aron Kodesh in the Middle School Beit Medrash.
The tall and majestic Aron Kodesh has beautiful dark wooden doors that are adorned with the design of a large golden menorah. One of its most unique features is the brightly lit interior portion, which consists of an ascending ladder that holds the Sifrei Torah, and which rotates when touched. The Aron is home to Yeshivat Noam’s three Torahs, which have been generously dedicated by Yeshivat Noam grandparents, Malca and Louis Drazin, and Yeshivat Noam parents, Shira and Clive Lipshitz, and Tammi and Bennett Schachter.
The Aron Kodesh was the centerpiece of the Sanctuary at Lincoln Square Synagogue on Manhattan’s West Side for years. Construction of the Synagogue’s new building a few doors down was nearing completion at the end of 2012. At the time, the congregation tried, without success, to find an appropriate place for the Aron in the new building. Left with no other choice when the congregation moved out of the old building, the Aron was dismantled and put into storage. If a new home would not be found for the Aron, it was ultimately to be buried.
Around the same time, Yeshivat Noam had completed the renovation of its brand new Middle School. The school’s new Beit Knesset had a temporary cabinet installed to hold its Sifrei Torah. Chaim Birman, a Yeshivat Noam parent and board and building committee member, happened to be overseeing the Lincoln Square Synagogue Project in his professional capacity. He brought the status of the Aron to principal Rabbi Chaim Hagler’s attention. Rabbi Hagler, who was once a youth director at Lincoln Square Synagogue, supported bringing this information to the Yeshivat Noam executive board’s attention. The board decided to pursue discussions with Lincoln Square Synagogue on possibly salvaging the Aron by relocating it into the new Middle School’s Beit Knesset. Over the months that followed, interested parties at both institutions worked together to make this a reality, culminating in the Aron’s installation at Yeshivat Noam at the end of August.
The Yeshivat Noam Middle School students received a special visit from Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Riskin, the Chief Rabbi of Efrat, Israel, and the Founding Rabbi of the Lincoln Square Synagogue, on the first day of Torah reading following the students’ return to school, who told them the story of the Aron Kodesh. Specifically, Rabbi Riskin discussed the extraordinary individual who dedicated the Aron Kodesh to his shul.
The Aron Kodesh, which was designed and built by Edward Jacobs, an architect who is also Rabbi Riskin’s son-in-law, was dedicated by the late Mrs. Martha Cohn in honor of the memory of her parents, both of whom perished in the Holocaust.
Rabbi Riskin recounted how he hired Mrs. Cohn as the first full-time secretary of the Lincoln Square Synagogue when he started the shul in 1964.
At the time, Rabbi Riskin was seeking to hire a young and modern secretary as part of his effort to attract people from the neighborhood around Lincoln Center to the shul. Rabbi Riskin characterized them as “very liberal people politically and not very given to religion.”
In walked a 64-year-old woman with a heavy German accent who said that she wanted to be the secretary for the synagogue. “There was something about her that made me feel this is the person,” he said. Martha Cohn was a widow and was not blessed with children. Despite facing some challenges in her life, Rabbi Riskin noted that, “she steadfastly always remained deeply religious.”
Martha Cohn was incredibly dedicated to the shul and to her work. Mrs. Cohn knew the phone numbers of all of the congregants in Lincoln Square by heart. She understood that there was a great deal of sensitivity needed in dealing with the Orthodox and non-Orthodox members of the shul. “She knew everybody, she spoke to everybody, she knew where everyone had to sit,” said Rabbi Riskin. “Her dedication is impossible to describe. She noticed everything.”
Toward the end of her life, Mrs. Cohn told Rabbi Riskin that she wanted to make a dedication to the shul. Although she was not a wealthy woman, her life was dedicated to the Lincoln Square Synagogue and to Shaare Tzedek Hospital in Israel. “Her life was service to Hakadosh Baruch Hu and Judaism,” said Rabbi Riskin. Martha Cohn informed Rabbi Riskin that she wanted an Aron Kodesh and that it should be in a place where there were children who could kiss the Sifrei Torah inside the Aron Kodesh.
Rabbi Riskin lovingly showed the Yeshivat Noam students the inside of the Aron Kodesh, which swivels, and described how he used to spin the part of the Aron that held the Torahs. “She used to say the Rabbi makes the Torah dance and that’s what I would like – I would like the Torah to be dancing,” said Rabbi Riskin. “So, all the years that I was the Rabbi of the synagogue, I would make sure the Torah was dancing when the ark was opened.”
Rabbi Riskin explained to the Yeshivat Noam Middle School students that Lincoln Square Synagogue moved to a new building and Martha Cohn’s Aron Kodesh did not fit in the new sanctuary due to the height of the ceiling. The shul was planning to chop up the Aron Kodesh and bury the pieces. “When I heard that, I burst out in tears,” said Rabbi Riskin. “The Torah and children and the future of Torah were the most important things to her.”
Instead, the Aron Kodesh found a new home at Yeshivat Noam. “When I heard the Aron was coming here, you have no idea how happy it made me feel,” said Rabbi Riskin. “It’s an Aron Kodesh that was dedicated by a very, very, very special woman,” he said. “May it be really a very fitting blessing and memorial to a very special woman, Martha Cohn.”
The results are magnificent. Not only do the Aron and the Yeshivat Noam Beit Knesset complement each other beautifully within the space, but it is also a message to future generations of students about the respect we all should have for Klei Kodesh. Furthermore, the Aron Kodesh that Mrs. Cohn dedicated specifically for children to enjoy has now found its permanent home in Yeshivat Noam, surrounded by hundreds of children who daven in its presence daily.
“Not only were we fortunate to be the beneficiaries of an aesthetically pleasing Aron Kodesh, but our Sifrei Torah also received a new home that is infused with Kedusha because of the unique and beautiful story behind its creation,” said Rabbi Chaim Hagler, Principal of Yeshivat Noam. “We are extraordinarily grateful to have this special Aron Kodesh at Yeshivat Noam and are extremely thankful to Rabbi Riskin for visiting with us and sharing with our students the rich history behind this wonderful addition to our school.”
Thursday, September 4, 2014
The Man Without A Plan
The following is my latest column in The Jewish Link of
Bergen County, in which I question the United States’ lack of a clear strategy
to combat one of the leading global terrorist organizations in the world
today:
THE MAN WITHOUT A PLAN
By: N. Aaron Troodler, Esq.
It was not that long ago that many considered Al Qaeda to be the most reviled terrorist organization on the face of the Earth. Osama Bin Laden was the world’s most wanted man and the fear of a global terrorist act emanating from Al Qaeda was very real.
It now looks that the Al Qaeda threat has been supplanted by an entity that poses as great of a peril as Osama’s gang did, if not more so. The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS as it is commonly known, has been wreaking havoc and gaining a degree of notoriety that has captured the attention of the world.
Comprised of Sunni militants who proudly wear their Islamist extremism on their sleeves, ISIS is directly responsible for massacring thousands of innocent civilians across Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. Their methodical drive to overtake cities and towns across Iraq, such as Mosul and Tikrit, have proven that they will stop at nothing to achieve their quest of seizing territories and establishing an Islamic state.
In what may have been the final straw for the United States, ISIS recently posted a video on YouTube, which showed the gruesome beheading of James Foley, an American journalist who had been missing in Syria since 2012. If anyone was still questioning the terrorist tendencies of ISIS and unaware of the sheer evil that epitomizes this group of extremists, the brutal decapitation of James Foley proved without a shadow of a doubt what ISIS is capable of.
Knowing all this makes President Obama’s recent comments about ISIS all the more perplexing. When asked by NBC’s Chuck Todd at a press briefing about ISIS, the President stated, “I don’t want to put the cart before the horse. We don’t have a strategy yet.”
The President’s admission that the United States does not yet have a strategy to address what is perhaps the greatest global terrorist threat today sent shockwaves through Washington. It seemed inconceivable that our Commander-in-Chief did not have a plan on how to curb the violent tendencies of ISIS.
The White House damage control operation commenced almost immediately, as they desperately attempted to offer some clarity to the President’s comments. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said that President Obama had not detailed “a specific plan for military action in Syria” because “the Pentagon is still developing that plan and he is still reviewing it.”
In another attempt to fan the flames of the “we don’t have a strategy yet” controversy, Earnest conceded that while the President has “no plans right now” for ISIS in Syria, he does have a “comprehensive plan” for ISIS in Iraq.
Although it was a valiant attempt by the President’s Press Secretary to offer some context to his stunning remarks, it failed to reconcile President Obama’s comment with that of one of his most trusted aides in the foreign policy arena.
Deputy National Security Advisor Benjamin Rhodes recently intimated that the U.S. in fact does has a strategy to deal with ISIS, when he discussed “[t]he strategy we are already undertaking” and “our strategy.” In what was perceived as a clear message to ISIS, Rhodes said, “We’ve made very clear time and again that if you come after Americans, we’re going to come after you wherever you are.”
We somehow went from having a plan of action, as described by the Deputy National Security Advisor, to having not a clue on how to proceed, as indicated by the President.
Critics of President Obama quickly jumped into the fray. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said that the President “needs to develop a regional strategy” to defeat ISIS. Noting that he believed that Congress would support a strategic plan to combat the threat posed by ISIS, McConnell said that, “it is time for President Obama to exercise some leadership in launching a response.”
Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham took to the op-ed page of The New York Times to call for a “greater sense of urgency” from the Obama Administration in dealing with ISIS. Acknowledging that the President “wants to move deliberately and consult with allies and Congress as he considers what to do about ISIS,” Senators McCain and Graham said that, “the threat ISIS poses only grows over time.” “It cannot be contained,” wrote the Senators. “It must be confronted.”
Even some of the President’s Democratic allies in Congress noted how critical it is that the United States has a plan to quell the ISIS terrorist threat. “I think we’ve learned on thing about this president, and that is he’s very cautious,” said Senator Dianne Feinstein. “Maybe in this instance, too cautious.” Noting the grave danger posed by ISIS, Feinstein said, “[t]his is a vicious, vicious movement, and it has to be confronted.”
I understand that the President may not want to tip his hand at this juncture as to how he plans to put ISIS out of business. Perhaps he really does not have a detailed strategy at this point as to how to best contain ISIS. However, for the President to get up in front of the cameras and tell the world that he has no plan is shocking.
The President could have said something like, “the global danger posed by ISIS is very real and must be dealt with swiftly and strongly. We are currently assessing all of our options and are preparing to eliminate the ISIS terrorist threat once and for all so that we can make the world a safer place for everyone.”
Truthfully, anything would have better than “we don’t have a strategy yet.” That admission inevitably emboldens the terrorists and empowers them to continue their pursuit of terror and turmoil throughout the world.
In a recent op-ed in The New York Times, Secretary of State John Kerry noted that ISIS “presents a unifying threat to a broad array of countries” and poses a threat well beyond the (Middle East) region.”
“With a united response led by the United States and the broadest possible coalition of nations, the cancer of ISIS will not be allowed to spread to other countries,” said the Secretary of State. “The world can confront this scourge, and ultimately defeat it.”
That may be true, but unless I am mistaken, the United States needs a strategy in place before that can possibly happen. The bottom line is that the President needs to have a plan.
N. Aaron Troodler is an attorney and principal of Paul Revere Public Relations, a public relations and political consulting firm. Visit him on the Web at TroodlersTake.blogspot.com, www.PaulReverePR.com, or www.JewishWorldPR.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @troodler
THE MAN WITHOUT A PLAN
By: N. Aaron Troodler, Esq.
It was not that long ago that many considered Al Qaeda to be the most reviled terrorist organization on the face of the Earth. Osama Bin Laden was the world’s most wanted man and the fear of a global terrorist act emanating from Al Qaeda was very real.
It now looks that the Al Qaeda threat has been supplanted by an entity that poses as great of a peril as Osama’s gang did, if not more so. The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS as it is commonly known, has been wreaking havoc and gaining a degree of notoriety that has captured the attention of the world.
Comprised of Sunni militants who proudly wear their Islamist extremism on their sleeves, ISIS is directly responsible for massacring thousands of innocent civilians across Syria, Iraq and Lebanon. Their methodical drive to overtake cities and towns across Iraq, such as Mosul and Tikrit, have proven that they will stop at nothing to achieve their quest of seizing territories and establishing an Islamic state.
In what may have been the final straw for the United States, ISIS recently posted a video on YouTube, which showed the gruesome beheading of James Foley, an American journalist who had been missing in Syria since 2012. If anyone was still questioning the terrorist tendencies of ISIS and unaware of the sheer evil that epitomizes this group of extremists, the brutal decapitation of James Foley proved without a shadow of a doubt what ISIS is capable of.
Knowing all this makes President Obama’s recent comments about ISIS all the more perplexing. When asked by NBC’s Chuck Todd at a press briefing about ISIS, the President stated, “I don’t want to put the cart before the horse. We don’t have a strategy yet.”
The President’s admission that the United States does not yet have a strategy to address what is perhaps the greatest global terrorist threat today sent shockwaves through Washington. It seemed inconceivable that our Commander-in-Chief did not have a plan on how to curb the violent tendencies of ISIS.
The White House damage control operation commenced almost immediately, as they desperately attempted to offer some clarity to the President’s comments. White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said that President Obama had not detailed “a specific plan for military action in Syria” because “the Pentagon is still developing that plan and he is still reviewing it.”
In another attempt to fan the flames of the “we don’t have a strategy yet” controversy, Earnest conceded that while the President has “no plans right now” for ISIS in Syria, he does have a “comprehensive plan” for ISIS in Iraq.
Although it was a valiant attempt by the President’s Press Secretary to offer some context to his stunning remarks, it failed to reconcile President Obama’s comment with that of one of his most trusted aides in the foreign policy arena.
Deputy National Security Advisor Benjamin Rhodes recently intimated that the U.S. in fact does has a strategy to deal with ISIS, when he discussed “[t]he strategy we are already undertaking” and “our strategy.” In what was perceived as a clear message to ISIS, Rhodes said, “We’ve made very clear time and again that if you come after Americans, we’re going to come after you wherever you are.”
We somehow went from having a plan of action, as described by the Deputy National Security Advisor, to having not a clue on how to proceed, as indicated by the President.
Critics of President Obama quickly jumped into the fray. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said that the President “needs to develop a regional strategy” to defeat ISIS. Noting that he believed that Congress would support a strategic plan to combat the threat posed by ISIS, McConnell said that, “it is time for President Obama to exercise some leadership in launching a response.”
Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham took to the op-ed page of The New York Times to call for a “greater sense of urgency” from the Obama Administration in dealing with ISIS. Acknowledging that the President “wants to move deliberately and consult with allies and Congress as he considers what to do about ISIS,” Senators McCain and Graham said that, “the threat ISIS poses only grows over time.” “It cannot be contained,” wrote the Senators. “It must be confronted.”
Even some of the President’s Democratic allies in Congress noted how critical it is that the United States has a plan to quell the ISIS terrorist threat. “I think we’ve learned on thing about this president, and that is he’s very cautious,” said Senator Dianne Feinstein. “Maybe in this instance, too cautious.” Noting the grave danger posed by ISIS, Feinstein said, “[t]his is a vicious, vicious movement, and it has to be confronted.”
I understand that the President may not want to tip his hand at this juncture as to how he plans to put ISIS out of business. Perhaps he really does not have a detailed strategy at this point as to how to best contain ISIS. However, for the President to get up in front of the cameras and tell the world that he has no plan is shocking.
The President could have said something like, “the global danger posed by ISIS is very real and must be dealt with swiftly and strongly. We are currently assessing all of our options and are preparing to eliminate the ISIS terrorist threat once and for all so that we can make the world a safer place for everyone.”
Truthfully, anything would have better than “we don’t have a strategy yet.” That admission inevitably emboldens the terrorists and empowers them to continue their pursuit of terror and turmoil throughout the world.
In a recent op-ed in The New York Times, Secretary of State John Kerry noted that ISIS “presents a unifying threat to a broad array of countries” and poses a threat well beyond the (Middle East) region.”
“With a united response led by the United States and the broadest possible coalition of nations, the cancer of ISIS will not be allowed to spread to other countries,” said the Secretary of State. “The world can confront this scourge, and ultimately defeat it.”
That may be true, but unless I am mistaken, the United States needs a strategy in place before that can possibly happen. The bottom line is that the President needs to have a plan.
N. Aaron Troodler is an attorney and principal of Paul Revere Public Relations, a public relations and political consulting firm. Visit him on the Web at TroodlersTake.blogspot.com, www.PaulReverePR.com, or www.JewishWorldPR.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @troodler
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
The Rising Tide of Anti-Semitism
The following is a letter to the editor that I wrote, which appeared in The New York Times on August 26, 2014, in which I offer an assessment of the recent increase in anti-Semitism around the globe:
The Rising Tide of Anti-Semitism
To the Editor:
Re “Why Jews Are Worried” (Op-Ed, Aug. 21):
Deborah E. Lipstadt did an admirable job noting the distinctions between the anti-Semitism of the Nazi era in the 1930s and the increased level of anti-Semitism we are witnessing today.
Although the impetus for the various anti-Semitic acts may be distinct from one another, the common denominator is that they are all fueled by an innate sense of animosity toward one particular religious group. That hatred is compounded by the fact that anti-Semitism is becoming not just acceptable (to some) but also quite routine.
This brazen assault on freedom of religion is particularly troubling and runs counter to the democratic ideals of a civilized society. The recent uptick in anti-Semitism is akin to a conflagration that is becoming increasingly difficult to extinguish.
As Jews, we do not always need to press the panic button, but we must sound the alarm so the international community takes heed of the acute nature of this growing and disturbing problem.
N. AARON TROODLER
Teaneck, N.J., Aug. 21, 2014
The Rising Tide of Anti-Semitism
To the Editor:
Re “Why Jews Are Worried” (Op-Ed, Aug. 21):
Deborah E. Lipstadt did an admirable job noting the distinctions between the anti-Semitism of the Nazi era in the 1930s and the increased level of anti-Semitism we are witnessing today.
Although the impetus for the various anti-Semitic acts may be distinct from one another, the common denominator is that they are all fueled by an innate sense of animosity toward one particular religious group. That hatred is compounded by the fact that anti-Semitism is becoming not just acceptable (to some) but also quite routine.
This brazen assault on freedom of religion is particularly troubling and runs counter to the democratic ideals of a civilized society. The recent uptick in anti-Semitism is akin to a conflagration that is becoming increasingly difficult to extinguish.
As Jews, we do not always need to press the panic button, but we must sound the alarm so the international community takes heed of the acute nature of this growing and disturbing problem.
N. AARON TROODLER
Teaneck, N.J., Aug. 21, 2014
Thursday, August 21, 2014
A Not-So-Happy Anniversary
The following is my latest column, which appeared in The Jewish Press and The Jewish Link
of Bergen County, in which I mark the ninth anniversary of Israel’s withdrawal
from the Gaza Strip by looking back at what transpired in August 2005 and
assessing the sociological and political ramifications of the expulsion:
A NOT-SO-HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
By: N. Aaron Troodler, Esq.
This week, the State of Israel had an anniversary of sorts; however, it was by no means a celebratory event. There was no excitement, as there is with Yom Ha’Atzmaut, when we commemorate the occasion of Israel’s birth as a nation in 1948. There was no exultation, as there is on Yom Yerushalayim, when we remember the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967. In fact, many people failed to note that there was a date on the calendar that was worth remembering.
This week marked the ninth anniversary of the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. In August 2005, then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon oversaw one of the most dark and disturbing chapters in Israel’s history when he ordered the expulsion of approximately 9,000 Jews from Gaza. Entire communities were uprooted, over 2,500 homes were destroyed, and countless families were displaced.
The disturbing images of Jews forcibly removing their fellow Jews from their homes left an indelible mark on the psyche of the Jewish Nation. Watching men and women, young and old, weep as they were escorted from their homes was especially painful, and seeing children forced to leave the only home they had ever known was absolutely heart-wrenching.
We watched with horror as Jewish residents who refused to leave willingly clashed with the Jewish soldiers tasked with evicting them from their homes. As the residents barricaded themselves inside synagogues and climbed atop the roofs of their homes in acts of defiance, we shuddered and wondered how the situation has spiraled out of control so quickly.
Ultimately, every single Jewish resident was evacuated from Gaza, and shortly thereafter the Israel Defense Forces completely withdrew from the area, thereby ceding control of Gaza to the Palestinians.
Following the expulsion from Gaza, the situation for the former residents worsened considerably. The financial compensation promised by the Israeli government never fully materialized. People were relocated to temporary domiciles. The unemployment rate amongst the residents skyrocketed. The sociological ramifications of the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza were quite dire.
The political consequences, as we know, were calamitous. Although Prime Minister Sharon believed the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza would improve Israel’s security and burnish its reputation in the international community, his dream never materialized.
Hamas took control of Gaza and quickly turned into a hotbed of terrorism and turmoil. What had been vibrant bastions of Jewish life morphed into the main command center for Hamas’ jihad against Israel.
Over the past several weeks, more than 3,300 rockets were fired from Gaza by Hamas terrorists. Those are in addition to the over 11,000 rockets that have been fired at Israel from Gaza since the withdrawal in 2005.
In addition to Operation Protective Edge, Israel was forced to embark on Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012 in response to relentless rocket fire from Gaza. In 2008, Israel launched Operation Cast Lead in an effort to impair Hamas’ ability to launch rockets at Israeli cities.
I recognize that hindsight is 20/20, and at this juncture it is easy to ascertain that the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip nine years ago did not enhance Israel’s security. The fact that over 5 million Israelis live under a constant threat of rocket attacks emanating from Gaza is a stark and scary reminder of how vulnerable Israel has become after it chose to vacate Gaza.
Rather than questioning Sharon’s decision to leave Gaza devoid of any trace of the Israeli presence that existed prior to the withdrawal in 2005, we must look to the future and ask what now? What happens next?
The reality is that over the past several weeks we witnessed the increased firepower that Hamas has amassed, including long-range rockets that can strike Israeli cities, which until now had been considered out of harm’s way. We saw the callous disregard that Hamas has for human life and the intense hatred it harbors towards Israel.
Israel’s military strikes may have damaged Hamas, but they did not destroy Hamas. As such, the rockets will likely continue flying towards Israel, and Hamas’ never-ending attempts to carry out acts of terror against Israel will endure.
The challenge Israel faces is how to deal with an entity intent on destroying it. Hamas rules Gaza with an iron fist and will not easily relinquish its control over the area. What Israel must do is architect a containment mechanism intended to neutralize Hamas. A cease fire may be a temporary fix, but based on Hamas’ track record, it is by no means a permanent solution. Devising ways to halt funding to Hamas and engaging in an effort to further marginalize Hamas from the rest of the world may be start.
As we mark the ninth anniversary of the expulsion from Gaza, we not only remember and empathize with the families that were driven from their homes; we also remember the many people who have lost their lives as a direct result of Hamas being handed the keys to Gaza on a silver platter. For Israel, this is a not-so-happy anniversary.
N. Aaron Troodler is an attorney and principal of Paul Revere Public Relations, a public relations and political consulting firm. Visit him on the Web at TroodlersTake.blogspot.com, www.PaulReverePR.com, or www.JewishWorldPR.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @troodler
A NOT-SO-HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
By: N. Aaron Troodler, Esq.
This week, the State of Israel had an anniversary of sorts; however, it was by no means a celebratory event. There was no excitement, as there is with Yom Ha’Atzmaut, when we commemorate the occasion of Israel’s birth as a nation in 1948. There was no exultation, as there is on Yom Yerushalayim, when we remember the reunification of Jerusalem in 1967. In fact, many people failed to note that there was a date on the calendar that was worth remembering.
This week marked the ninth anniversary of the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. In August 2005, then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon oversaw one of the most dark and disturbing chapters in Israel’s history when he ordered the expulsion of approximately 9,000 Jews from Gaza. Entire communities were uprooted, over 2,500 homes were destroyed, and countless families were displaced.
The disturbing images of Jews forcibly removing their fellow Jews from their homes left an indelible mark on the psyche of the Jewish Nation. Watching men and women, young and old, weep as they were escorted from their homes was especially painful, and seeing children forced to leave the only home they had ever known was absolutely heart-wrenching.
We watched with horror as Jewish residents who refused to leave willingly clashed with the Jewish soldiers tasked with evicting them from their homes. As the residents barricaded themselves inside synagogues and climbed atop the roofs of their homes in acts of defiance, we shuddered and wondered how the situation has spiraled out of control so quickly.
Ultimately, every single Jewish resident was evacuated from Gaza, and shortly thereafter the Israel Defense Forces completely withdrew from the area, thereby ceding control of Gaza to the Palestinians.
Following the expulsion from Gaza, the situation for the former residents worsened considerably. The financial compensation promised by the Israeli government never fully materialized. People were relocated to temporary domiciles. The unemployment rate amongst the residents skyrocketed. The sociological ramifications of the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza were quite dire.
The political consequences, as we know, were calamitous. Although Prime Minister Sharon believed the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza would improve Israel’s security and burnish its reputation in the international community, his dream never materialized.
Hamas took control of Gaza and quickly turned into a hotbed of terrorism and turmoil. What had been vibrant bastions of Jewish life morphed into the main command center for Hamas’ jihad against Israel.
Over the past several weeks, more than 3,300 rockets were fired from Gaza by Hamas terrorists. Those are in addition to the over 11,000 rockets that have been fired at Israel from Gaza since the withdrawal in 2005.
In addition to Operation Protective Edge, Israel was forced to embark on Operation Pillar of Defense in 2012 in response to relentless rocket fire from Gaza. In 2008, Israel launched Operation Cast Lead in an effort to impair Hamas’ ability to launch rockets at Israeli cities.
I recognize that hindsight is 20/20, and at this juncture it is easy to ascertain that the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip nine years ago did not enhance Israel’s security. The fact that over 5 million Israelis live under a constant threat of rocket attacks emanating from Gaza is a stark and scary reminder of how vulnerable Israel has become after it chose to vacate Gaza.
Rather than questioning Sharon’s decision to leave Gaza devoid of any trace of the Israeli presence that existed prior to the withdrawal in 2005, we must look to the future and ask what now? What happens next?
The reality is that over the past several weeks we witnessed the increased firepower that Hamas has amassed, including long-range rockets that can strike Israeli cities, which until now had been considered out of harm’s way. We saw the callous disregard that Hamas has for human life and the intense hatred it harbors towards Israel.
Israel’s military strikes may have damaged Hamas, but they did not destroy Hamas. As such, the rockets will likely continue flying towards Israel, and Hamas’ never-ending attempts to carry out acts of terror against Israel will endure.
The challenge Israel faces is how to deal with an entity intent on destroying it. Hamas rules Gaza with an iron fist and will not easily relinquish its control over the area. What Israel must do is architect a containment mechanism intended to neutralize Hamas. A cease fire may be a temporary fix, but based on Hamas’ track record, it is by no means a permanent solution. Devising ways to halt funding to Hamas and engaging in an effort to further marginalize Hamas from the rest of the world may be start.
As we mark the ninth anniversary of the expulsion from Gaza, we not only remember and empathize with the families that were driven from their homes; we also remember the many people who have lost their lives as a direct result of Hamas being handed the keys to Gaza on a silver platter. For Israel, this is a not-so-happy anniversary.
N. Aaron Troodler is an attorney and principal of Paul Revere Public Relations, a public relations and political consulting firm. Visit him on the Web at TroodlersTake.blogspot.com, www.PaulReverePR.com, or www.JewishWorldPR.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @troodler
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Cantor Sings His Final Tune
The
following is my latest column in The Jewish Link of Bergen County, in which I discuss
how House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s impending departure from Congress
impacts the State of Israel and the American Jewish community:
CANTOR SINGS HIS FINAL TUNE
By: N. Aaron Troodler, Esq.
The campaign for the June 10, 2014 GOP primary election in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District was by all accounts a sleeper. David Brat, a college economics professor and a virtually unknown political novice, was challenging the Number 2 Republican in the House – Majority Leader Eric Cantor.
Cantor, a powerful 7-term lawmaker who some speculated had designs on one day becoming Speaker of the House, was a shoo-in for re-election. The pre-Primary Day polls had him leading his opponent by a considerable margin. The political pundits essentially ignored the race, which they found to be devoid of any excitement. For Eric Cantor, it was not a question if he was going to win the race; it was merely a function of counting down the days until Primary Day, when he could finally formalize his inevitable victory.
And then the voters spoke. When the polls closed and the dust settled, Eric Cantor had suffered a stinging defeat at the hands of his Tea Party-backed opponent, thereby becoming the first Majority Leader in history to be ousted in a primary. The final tally had Brat besting Cantor by 55% to 44%.
In political circles and in Washington, DC, Eric Cantor’s incomprehensible loss was the equivalent of a political earthquake that sent tremors through the political establishment. The New York Times described it as “one of the most stunning primary election upsets in congressional history.”
Cantor, who was a star in the Republican Party, raised a whopping $5.4 million for his campaign, as opposed to Brat, who raised a paltry $200,000. With his campaign war chest overflowing, Cantor outspent his opponent by more than 40 to 1. However, at the end of the day, Cantor came up short.
While I do not necessarily agree with Eric Cantor’s political ideology, I nonetheless am troubled by his loss, because when Eric Cantor resigns from the House on August 18, the American Jewish community and the State of Israel will lose one of the staunchest allies that we have in Congress.
Not only has Eric Cantor been the sole Jewish Republican in Congress for the past five years, he is also the highest ranking Jewish lawmaker in congressional history. Yet, merely being Jewish is not the reason why I respect Eric Cantor. I admire him because he proudly wore his Jewish identity on his sleeve at all times. Eric Cantor made a conscious decision not to hide from his “Jewishness,” but to wholeheartedly embrace it at every turn.
I also greatly appreciate the fact that he constantly exhibited not just an understanding of Israel and its unique security needs, but a willingness to go to the mat for the Jewish State whenever it was necessary to do so.
Just several weeks ago, even after his defeat, and as he prepared to relinquish his post as Majority Leader, Cantor issued a strong defense of Israel as it defended itself against a barrage of rocket attacks from Hamas during Operation Protective Edge.
“Israel is one of our nation’s strongest democratic allies and its security is directly tied to our own,” said Cantor. “Hamas’ outrageous and unprovoked war against Israel must end. Until Hamas accepts the Quartet principles, abandoning violence and recognizing Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, there will not be peace.”
“There is no justification for Hamas’ violent assault on Israel, which withdrew completely from Gaza in 2005,” continued Cantor. “Since then, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have lobbed thousands of rockets into Israel and Hamas staged a coup against the Palestinian Authority, assuming complete control over Gaza and turning it into a den of terrorism.”
Regardless of whether you were a Democrat, Republican, Independent or Conservative, when it came to the safety and security of the State of Israel, Eric Cantor was always interested in hearing what you had to say. He had no compunction about stepping up to the microphone in order to deliver an impassioned defense of Israel and to declare that Israel’s security needs are America’s security needs, and he often backed up his words with action.
Eric Cantor’s electoral loss is not just a personal one; it is a communal one. With his departure from Congress, the Jewish community will not just lose one of our own; we will lose one of the best friends that we have in Congress. As Cantor sings his final tune and the curtain comes down on his Congressional tenure, unfortunately for the Jewish community and the State of Israel, there will be no encore performance.
“Mr. Speaker, I close by once again thanking my colleagues for their service, I thank them for their friendship and warmth,” said an emotional Eric Cantor on July 31 as he closed what was his final speech on the floor of the House as Majority Leader. “And with that, I yield back.”
N. Aaron Troodler is an attorney and principal of Paul Revere Public Relations, a public relations and political consulting firm. Visit him on the Web at TroodlersTake.blogspot.com, www.PaulReverePR.com, or www.JewishWorldPR.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @troodler
CANTOR SINGS HIS FINAL TUNE
By: N. Aaron Troodler, Esq.
The campaign for the June 10, 2014 GOP primary election in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District was by all accounts a sleeper. David Brat, a college economics professor and a virtually unknown political novice, was challenging the Number 2 Republican in the House – Majority Leader Eric Cantor.
Cantor, a powerful 7-term lawmaker who some speculated had designs on one day becoming Speaker of the House, was a shoo-in for re-election. The pre-Primary Day polls had him leading his opponent by a considerable margin. The political pundits essentially ignored the race, which they found to be devoid of any excitement. For Eric Cantor, it was not a question if he was going to win the race; it was merely a function of counting down the days until Primary Day, when he could finally formalize his inevitable victory.
And then the voters spoke. When the polls closed and the dust settled, Eric Cantor had suffered a stinging defeat at the hands of his Tea Party-backed opponent, thereby becoming the first Majority Leader in history to be ousted in a primary. The final tally had Brat besting Cantor by 55% to 44%.
In political circles and in Washington, DC, Eric Cantor’s incomprehensible loss was the equivalent of a political earthquake that sent tremors through the political establishment. The New York Times described it as “one of the most stunning primary election upsets in congressional history.”
Cantor, who was a star in the Republican Party, raised a whopping $5.4 million for his campaign, as opposed to Brat, who raised a paltry $200,000. With his campaign war chest overflowing, Cantor outspent his opponent by more than 40 to 1. However, at the end of the day, Cantor came up short.
While I do not necessarily agree with Eric Cantor’s political ideology, I nonetheless am troubled by his loss, because when Eric Cantor resigns from the House on August 18, the American Jewish community and the State of Israel will lose one of the staunchest allies that we have in Congress.
Not only has Eric Cantor been the sole Jewish Republican in Congress for the past five years, he is also the highest ranking Jewish lawmaker in congressional history. Yet, merely being Jewish is not the reason why I respect Eric Cantor. I admire him because he proudly wore his Jewish identity on his sleeve at all times. Eric Cantor made a conscious decision not to hide from his “Jewishness,” but to wholeheartedly embrace it at every turn.
I also greatly appreciate the fact that he constantly exhibited not just an understanding of Israel and its unique security needs, but a willingness to go to the mat for the Jewish State whenever it was necessary to do so.
Just several weeks ago, even after his defeat, and as he prepared to relinquish his post as Majority Leader, Cantor issued a strong defense of Israel as it defended itself against a barrage of rocket attacks from Hamas during Operation Protective Edge.
“Israel is one of our nation’s strongest democratic allies and its security is directly tied to our own,” said Cantor. “Hamas’ outrageous and unprovoked war against Israel must end. Until Hamas accepts the Quartet principles, abandoning violence and recognizing Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, there will not be peace.”
“There is no justification for Hamas’ violent assault on Israel, which withdrew completely from Gaza in 2005,” continued Cantor. “Since then, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have lobbed thousands of rockets into Israel and Hamas staged a coup against the Palestinian Authority, assuming complete control over Gaza and turning it into a den of terrorism.”
Regardless of whether you were a Democrat, Republican, Independent or Conservative, when it came to the safety and security of the State of Israel, Eric Cantor was always interested in hearing what you had to say. He had no compunction about stepping up to the microphone in order to deliver an impassioned defense of Israel and to declare that Israel’s security needs are America’s security needs, and he often backed up his words with action.
Eric Cantor’s electoral loss is not just a personal one; it is a communal one. With his departure from Congress, the Jewish community will not just lose one of our own; we will lose one of the best friends that we have in Congress. As Cantor sings his final tune and the curtain comes down on his Congressional tenure, unfortunately for the Jewish community and the State of Israel, there will be no encore performance.
“Mr. Speaker, I close by once again thanking my colleagues for their service, I thank them for their friendship and warmth,” said an emotional Eric Cantor on July 31 as he closed what was his final speech on the floor of the House as Majority Leader. “And with that, I yield back.”
N. Aaron Troodler is an attorney and principal of Paul Revere Public Relations, a public relations and political consulting firm. Visit him on the Web at TroodlersTake.blogspot.com, www.PaulReverePR.com, or www.JewishWorldPR.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @troodler
Thursday, July 31, 2014
David vs. Goliath
The
following is my latest column in The Jewish Link of Bergen County, in which I write
about the fact that Israel is not only fighting a war against Hamas and
terrorism; it is also fighting a war in the court of public opinion:
DAVID VS. GOLIATH
By: N. Aaron Troodler, Esq.
Contrary to what you may think, Israel has been battling more than just one enemy during Operation Protective Edge.
There is no question that the onslaught of rockets fired by Hamas directly resulted in the decision by Israel to take measures to defend its citizens and led to Israel’s attempt to restore a sense of quiet and stability to the region. Yet, Hamas is not the sole adversary that Israel was forced to engage in battle during this difficult period.
Not only is Israel fighting a war against terrorism; it is also fighting a war in the court of public opinion.
As we have seen throughout history, there are people who relish the opportunity to criticize Israel and denigrate the Jewish State. These critics anxiously wait for an opening, and, when it materializes, they are prepared to pounce and malign Israel.
Criticism is being lobbed at Israel as often as Hamas is lobbing rockets at Israeli civilians. Israel is facing a public relations offensive that it is trying valiantly to deflect.
To make matters worse, the United Nations Human Rights Council greatly exacerbated the situation and helped turn the tide against Israel even further. In an absolutely deplorable move, the UN Human Rights Council voted to launch an investigation into whether or not Israel’s actions during the current conflict constitute human rights violations and if they breach international humanitarian law.
Hamas is using civilians as human shields, and it is Israel that is in the crosshairs of the UN? Hamas is indiscriminately firing thousands of rockets at populated areas, and it is Israel that is the subject of the UN’s inquiry? The fact that a so-called human rights organization can turn a blind eye to the blatant human rights violations being wantonly perpetrated by Hamas is preposterous.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was outraged at the UN’s actions. “The UNHRC is sending a message to Hamas and terror organizations everywhere that using civilians as human shields is an effective strategy,” he said.
Although it is admittedly not a surprise that the UN Human Rights Council, which has a long track record of palpable prejudice towards Israel, would launch what many perceive to be a bogus and biased investigation into Israel’s actions, the UN vote may have been the last straw.
Much has been written about the number of casualties in Gaza, as opposed to the amount of fatalities suffered by the Israelis. Those seeking to censure Israel readily attribute the disparate number of deaths to the fact that Israel, in their opinion, is using a disproportionate show of force that is needlessly and intentionally resulting in a high number of casualties. This has been an incredibly successful public relations effort by Israel’s enemies to paint Israel as the antagonist and to label the people in Gaza as the victims of Israeli aggression.
What these critics neglect to mention is that were it not for the Iron Dome missile defense system, the number of civilian casualties amongst Israelis would inevitably be considerably higher. Hamas is deliberately firing deadly rockets at Israeli cities and communities with the intent to kill civilians; however, the Iron Dome technology is miraculously averting the overwhelming majority of the attacks and saving countless lives.
The critics also fail to note that Hamas is firing rockets not only from heavily populated areas, but also from locations that are in close proximity to schools and hospitals, thereby putting every single resident in Gaza in harm’s way. To add insult to injury, Hamas is urging people not to evacuate, despite Israel’s warning for them to do so in advance of any attack.
Not once do the critics reference the fact that there are bomb shelters throughout Israel. When the sirens sound, thereby signifying an incoming rocket, the Israelis have a place to run to that can shelter them from the attack. Conversely, in Gaza, the residents often do not have a safe haven from Israel’s attempt to defend itself. Rather than investing funds in constructing bomb shelters, Hamas squandered its resources in order to build an elaborate network of terror tunnels that they could use to launch attacks against Israel.
Amidst a cacophony of criticism and a chorus of condemnation, Israel is doing all that it can to rebut the misstatements and misrepresentations. However, as Israel struggles to fend off the tsunami of denunciation, it is having a difficult time turning the tide of public opinion back in its favor.
The truth is, the public relations battle is ancillary to the real struggle that Israel has been forced to contend with. At the end of the day, the only thing that truly matters is the disposition of the conflict with Hamas. If Israel is able to neutralize this terrorist organization intent on annihilating the Jewish State and provide its citizens with a respite from the relentless rocket attacks, they will have won the real war.
With Israel facing a dangerous and ruthless enemy on the battlefield and increasing pressure and condemnation from the international community, it is reminiscent of the epic confrontation between David and Goliath. On the surface, young David had no realistic chance of besting the mighty and powerful giant Goliath. Yet, as we all know, at the end of the day it was David that was standing tall.
Just like David persevered against all odds, let us hope and pray that Israel too will prevail against its enemies on the frontlines – not just Hamas terrorists, but also the individuals and entities around the world that try repeatedly to vilify the Jewish State.
N. Aaron Troodler is an attorney and principal of Paul Revere Public Relations, a public relations and political consulting firm. Visit him on the Web at TroodlersTake.blogspot.com, www.PaulReverePR.com, or www.JewishWorldPR.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @troodler
DAVID VS. GOLIATH
By: N. Aaron Troodler, Esq.
Contrary to what you may think, Israel has been battling more than just one enemy during Operation Protective Edge.
There is no question that the onslaught of rockets fired by Hamas directly resulted in the decision by Israel to take measures to defend its citizens and led to Israel’s attempt to restore a sense of quiet and stability to the region. Yet, Hamas is not the sole adversary that Israel was forced to engage in battle during this difficult period.
Not only is Israel fighting a war against terrorism; it is also fighting a war in the court of public opinion.
As we have seen throughout history, there are people who relish the opportunity to criticize Israel and denigrate the Jewish State. These critics anxiously wait for an opening, and, when it materializes, they are prepared to pounce and malign Israel.
Criticism is being lobbed at Israel as often as Hamas is lobbing rockets at Israeli civilians. Israel is facing a public relations offensive that it is trying valiantly to deflect.
To make matters worse, the United Nations Human Rights Council greatly exacerbated the situation and helped turn the tide against Israel even further. In an absolutely deplorable move, the UN Human Rights Council voted to launch an investigation into whether or not Israel’s actions during the current conflict constitute human rights violations and if they breach international humanitarian law.
Hamas is using civilians as human shields, and it is Israel that is in the crosshairs of the UN? Hamas is indiscriminately firing thousands of rockets at populated areas, and it is Israel that is the subject of the UN’s inquiry? The fact that a so-called human rights organization can turn a blind eye to the blatant human rights violations being wantonly perpetrated by Hamas is preposterous.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was outraged at the UN’s actions. “The UNHRC is sending a message to Hamas and terror organizations everywhere that using civilians as human shields is an effective strategy,” he said.
Although it is admittedly not a surprise that the UN Human Rights Council, which has a long track record of palpable prejudice towards Israel, would launch what many perceive to be a bogus and biased investigation into Israel’s actions, the UN vote may have been the last straw.
Much has been written about the number of casualties in Gaza, as opposed to the amount of fatalities suffered by the Israelis. Those seeking to censure Israel readily attribute the disparate number of deaths to the fact that Israel, in their opinion, is using a disproportionate show of force that is needlessly and intentionally resulting in a high number of casualties. This has been an incredibly successful public relations effort by Israel’s enemies to paint Israel as the antagonist and to label the people in Gaza as the victims of Israeli aggression.
What these critics neglect to mention is that were it not for the Iron Dome missile defense system, the number of civilian casualties amongst Israelis would inevitably be considerably higher. Hamas is deliberately firing deadly rockets at Israeli cities and communities with the intent to kill civilians; however, the Iron Dome technology is miraculously averting the overwhelming majority of the attacks and saving countless lives.
The critics also fail to note that Hamas is firing rockets not only from heavily populated areas, but also from locations that are in close proximity to schools and hospitals, thereby putting every single resident in Gaza in harm’s way. To add insult to injury, Hamas is urging people not to evacuate, despite Israel’s warning for them to do so in advance of any attack.
Not once do the critics reference the fact that there are bomb shelters throughout Israel. When the sirens sound, thereby signifying an incoming rocket, the Israelis have a place to run to that can shelter them from the attack. Conversely, in Gaza, the residents often do not have a safe haven from Israel’s attempt to defend itself. Rather than investing funds in constructing bomb shelters, Hamas squandered its resources in order to build an elaborate network of terror tunnels that they could use to launch attacks against Israel.
Amidst a cacophony of criticism and a chorus of condemnation, Israel is doing all that it can to rebut the misstatements and misrepresentations. However, as Israel struggles to fend off the tsunami of denunciation, it is having a difficult time turning the tide of public opinion back in its favor.
The truth is, the public relations battle is ancillary to the real struggle that Israel has been forced to contend with. At the end of the day, the only thing that truly matters is the disposition of the conflict with Hamas. If Israel is able to neutralize this terrorist organization intent on annihilating the Jewish State and provide its citizens with a respite from the relentless rocket attacks, they will have won the real war.
With Israel facing a dangerous and ruthless enemy on the battlefield and increasing pressure and condemnation from the international community, it is reminiscent of the epic confrontation between David and Goliath. On the surface, young David had no realistic chance of besting the mighty and powerful giant Goliath. Yet, as we all know, at the end of the day it was David that was standing tall.
Just like David persevered against all odds, let us hope and pray that Israel too will prevail against its enemies on the frontlines – not just Hamas terrorists, but also the individuals and entities around the world that try repeatedly to vilify the Jewish State.
N. Aaron Troodler is an attorney and principal of Paul Revere Public Relations, a public relations and political consulting firm. Visit him on the Web at TroodlersTake.blogspot.com, www.PaulReverePR.com, or www.JewishWorldPR.com. You can also follow him on Twitter: @troodler
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