FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
H. Glenn Rosenkrantz, United Jewish Communities
212.284.6572 glenn.rosenkrantz@ujc.org

Carolyn Greene, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
212.318.6111 carolyn@prescon.org

Marcia Neeley, UJA-Federation of New York
212.836.1870 neeleym@ujafedny.org

Susan Green, Jewish Community Relations Council of New York
212.983.4800, x125 greens@jcrcny.org

MESSAGE OF UNITY FROM SUPPORTERS GATHERED IN NEW YORK AND MORE THAN 100 COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE CONTINENT

Prime Minister Sharon, Foreign Minister Peres, Senators Clinton and Schumer, Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel Address North American Gatherings

New York – Sunday, March 24, 2002 – Demonstrating solidarity with Israel as it combats Palestinian terrorism and seeks peace with its neighbors within secure and defensible borders, members of the North American Jewish community gathered in New York and more than 100 towns and cities across the continent Sunday in a show of unity with the Jewish homeland.

The gatherings – under the banner "We Stand With Israel Now and Forever" – included the presentation of a Declaration of Solidarity underscoring the North American Jewish community's unwavering support of the Jewish homeland as it faces daily challenges to its security and welfare. (Editors note: text attached)

The display of solidarity was sponsored by United Jewish Communities and the Jewish Federations of North America, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, UJA-Federation of New York, and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York.

"This is time for us to express our solidarity with the people of Israel and the state of Israel at a time when they have experienced staggering losses – losses that did not occur on some distant battlefield away from Israel, but in their very homes, on their buses, in their schools, at their bar mitvahs, in their synagogues, in their discotheques – the details of everyday life," said Mortimer B. Zuckerman, chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. "From every city to every suburb ... we are here to say, ‘We stand with Israel.'"

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, speaking live via satellite to those gathered in North America, expressed gratitude for the show of solidarity and underscored the importance of Jewish unity during challenging times.

"We need your expression of solidarity with Israel in the difficult times we face," the Prime Minister said. "The solidarity of Jews in Israel and Jews in the Diaspora is what makes us invincible. United, we will meet the challenges of tomorrow. United, we can achieve peace with security. United, we can make Israel the centerpiece of Jewish life for generations to come."

The satellite broadcast also included live transmissions from the Moment Café in Jerusalem, site of a horrific Palestinian terrorist attack that claimed 11 innocent Israeli lives earlier this month, and from Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, where many terror victims are being treated.

Mayor Ehud Olmert of Jerusalem spoke from the site about how the lives of Israelis and those who live in the Israeli capital have been affected by the continuing Palestinian terrorist attacks.

"Jerusalem is alive and kicking and is a dynamic city, and nothing will break the spirit of the city of Jerusalem," he said. "(Jerusalem) is the heart of our lives, the heart of our existence and we have to be firm and strong and not try to avoid or ignore the pain that we feel. But the pain should not be confused with weakness. We are not weak. We are strong. We keep going on. We have lives to lead."

"During the last 18 months, nearly 400 Israelis have been murdered at the hands of terrorists intent on the destruction of Jewish lives and the Jewish homeland," said James Tisch, chairman of United Jewish Communities. "It is critical that North American Jews, their supporters and all those opposed to violence come together in public displays of solidarity such as this one, to show Israelis that others share their pain, and to show the world that Israel and its citizens never walk alone."

The New York event, at the 92nd Street Y, was the centerpiece of solidarity gatherings across the continent and was addressed by United States Senators Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer of New York. 

"The United States and Israel face a common threat," Senator Clinton said. "The attack on the United States here in New York and at the Pentagon on September 11th comes from same well of hatred and evil that stalks Israel. It is not possible for us to imagine in any way confronting and winning the war against terrorism here and abroad without helping Israel to win it at home."

"As Israel defends herself, it does so because it is clear she has no alternative," Clinton continued. "The collapse of any effort to try to achieve a safe and secure resolution ... and the ensuing violence rests solely on the shoulders of Yasir Arafat. He has failed as a leader. He has been unable and unwilling to rein in the forces of violence and terrorism, and he leaves a trail of violated vows and deaths along a path that could have and should have led to peace and life."

"I hope all of us will do everything we can to make sure not just the people who are in this auditorium, but people throughout North America – Jew and non-Jew alike – understand that when we stand up for Israel, we are standing up for fundamental human beliefs, democracy, freedom and America."

"As Americans we stand with Israel," said Senator Schumer. "We are both victims of terrorism. We both have families who grieve because members of their families are no longer with us, having been slain by terrorists. We are both resolute on fighting a war to end terrorism in every corner of the globe. The war on terrorism binds Americans and Israelis as nothing has before."

Calling Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat "a duplicitous man who aids and abets terrorists," Schumer called on the Bush Administration not to arrange a meeting between Vice President Cheney and Arafat "until he does much more to curb the terrorism."

"We share your pain, we admire your strength, and we will never abandon you," Schumer said, addressing himself to Israelis.

Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, who also addressed the North American gatherings from Israel, said that while Israelis faced a challenging period, they would tap into the hope that has always been their source of endurance.  "For the 54 years of the existence of Israel, we were always short of reasons to be hopeful, but always produced hope more than we thought possible," he said. "Israel is a supplier of hope."

Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel appeared via satellite and joined the speakers in addressing a worldwide audience taking part live or by satellite or webcast.  New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg delivered a videotaped message of support.

In a written message to those gathered in New York and across North America, United States Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and Minority Leader Trent Lott added their names to those who stand as one with Israel.

"Last week in Jerusalem, Vice President Cheney reaffirmed America's ‘unshakable' commitment to Israel's security," the two Senate leaders wrote. "He is right. And just as Israel has stood with us in this war on terrorism, we need to stand with Israel. Each of you is doing that today, and we are honored to join you."

Larry Zicklin, president of the UJA-Federation of New York, noted the significance of the solidarity gatherings taking place just days from the start of Passover.

"Now more than ever, we must be unequivocal in our support of Israel," said Zicklin.  "As individuals and as a community, Israel turns to us for moral support in its battle against terror. There will be far too many empty seats at Passover seders across Israel, just as there will be here in New York. The senseless killings of so many civilians have struck a frightful blow. Still, through it all, the people of Israel continue to display courage and unflinching determination, resisting violence and pursuing peace.

"UJA-Federation takes very seriously its responsibility to work with the entire New York Jewish community to provide multiple expressions of our solidarity with the Jewish state," he continued. "Just as the Jewish people in Egypt first experienced slavery before their freedom, let us hope that these difficult days are the precursor to an era of peace when Israeli men, women, and children are allowed to lead their lives free from the threat of terror and destruction."

An archived webcast of the solidarity gathering in New York may be viewed at www.ujc.org.

Following is the Declaration of Solidarity with Israel presented at Solidarity Gatherings throughout North America on Sunday:

WE STAND with the people and the State of Israel at this critical time. We share their pain and outrage at the terrible loss of life and limb as a result of the Palestinian campaign of terror and violence launched against Israel eighteen months ago.

WE STAND with Israel as it fulfills its most basic responsibility as a democracy: defending the nation and protecting its citizens.

WE STAND with Israel in demanding that the Palestinian Authority end the violence and terror, arrest and prosecute the perpetrators, dismantle the terrorist infrastructure,
end the incitement against Israel and Jews, and live up to all its previous commitments.

WE STAND with our government and with Israel in combating the global threat of terrorism.

WE STAND with Israel as it seeks a true and lasting peace that will assure secure and defensible borders, as well as the safety of its citizens and of all the people in the region.

WE CALL on all people of good will to join us in standing with Israel now.

United Jewish Communities (UJC) represents 189 Jewish Federations and 400 independent Jewish communities across North America.  Last year, 700,000 people contributed more than $826 million to the UJA Federation Annual Campaign and another $1.2 billion to endowment funds, capital campaigns, foundations and other special projects. UJC provides life-saving and life-enhancing humanitarian assistance to those in need, and translates Jewish values into social action on behalf of millions of Jews in hundreds of communities in North America, in towns and villages throughout Israel, in the former Soviet Union, and 60 countries around the world.

The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations is the central coordinating body representing 52 national Jewish organizations from across the political and religious spectrum on issues of national and international concern. It provides a central forum for the American Jewish leadership and for key American, Israeli and other world leaders to address issues of critical concern to the Jewish community. The Conference, with its member agencies, takes the lead in promoting the interests of the American-Jewish community, fostering the special U.S.-Israel relationship, and protecting and enhancing the security and dignity of Jews abroad.

The world's largest local philanthropy, UJA-Federation of New York helps strengthen community locally, nationally and internationally, reaching out to 4.5 million persons in New York, Israel, the former Soviet Union, and 60 other countries. Funds raised sustain the activities of more than 100 health, social-service, educational, and community agencies, which provide a multitude of services that improve and enhance people's lives.

The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) is the central coordinating and resource body for more than 60 major civic, communal, educational and religious organizations in the New York Metropolitan area.