Israel Matzav

American Jews trying to do the right thing

In Teaneck, New Jersey today, some 250 American Jews took the first step towards buying homes in Judea and Samaria as an investment for themselves and for rental to young couples. Unfortunately, the media chose to focus more on the approximately 25 protesters who stood outside the event.

Hat Tip: NY Nana

Rabbi Steven Pruzansky said people were interested in the houses as an investment and as a possible home for themselves, ``as well as to make a public statement that there are Jews in the world who believe, want to send a message that, the land belongs to us, to the Jewish people, and we make that statement without any shame, any hesitation.''

Aliza Herbst, a representative from Amana, said the company was turning to North American Jews to buy homes so it can rent them out to young Israeli families who want to move into the West Bank, but can't afford to build.

One person who left the Teaneck event with plans on buying was Jack Forgash, 60, of Teaneck, who said he would see the purchase not only as an investment.

``I would consider it generosity, charity, a form of giving somebody a chance to live in a house, not be homeless,'' said Forgash, who described himself as a business executive.

``I don't see a problem with Jews living there because I recognize the fact that over a million Arabs are living in Israel proper, and they came to be happy with their lives,'' Forgash said.

But the media chose to focus on the protesters:

Opposition groups, however, contend that increased settlement damages efforts to create a Palestinian state, a goal backed by the U.S. government.

``Every settler who is added to the West Bank makes the realization of President Bush's vision of a two-state solution more difficult,'' Ori Nir, a spokesman for Americans for Peace Now, the sister organization of Israel's largest peace group, Peace Now, said last week.

Aaron Levitt, a member of Jews Against the Occupation, said the sale was deliberately inflaming the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

``The enemies of the U.S. are able to use the Israeli occupation as a rallying cry,'' the 37-year-old Queens, N.Y., resident said as he took a break from protesting in a crowd of about 25 people. [When is 25 people a 'crowd'? When they have gathered to protest against Israel of course! CiJ].

Samer Khalaf, a member of the New Jersey Chapter of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee who was also protesting, said his group wants to make sure ``discrimination doesn't rear its ugly head in New Jersey.''

``This country, decades ago, got away from selling land to someone based on their religion, ethnicity or race. That's essentially what's going on,'' the 39-year-old Paramus attorney said, adding that his group also wants to discount the argument that the land can be sold because it is not occupied.

Hey Mr. Khalaf, does that mean you're in favor of letting Jews live anywhere in Israel too? Like, for example, the 'Muslim quarter' of the Old City of Jerusalem? Just wondering....

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:44 PM