EDITORIAL

Dear Readers,

This past month a resolution was drafted and past around congress Entitled: “H.R.2407 – Promoting Human Rights for Palestinian Children Living Under Israeli Military Occupation Act.”
This is a great concern because its very title calls into question Israel’s right to protect itself from continued, relentless attacks by a people who have been dedicated to causing the destruction of the State of Israel  and calling it a military occupation. 
The bill states as a matter of fact a claim which is at least questionable, if not outright false: “The Government of Israel and its military detains around 500 to 700 Palestinian children between the ages of 12 and 17 each year and prosecutes them before a military court system that lacks basic and fundamental guarantees of due process in violation of international standards.” The bill fails to mention that these “children” were committing acts of vandalism, harm, and terrorism and suggests that they be treated as innocents when they are far from it.Although this bill will not leave committee, it’s a statement being made to make Israel look bad yet again and this time in the American Congress by some Democrats who have been some of the most detestable spewers of anti-Jewish rhetoric and hate speech. Israel treats all of its citizens with dignity and is more humane when dealing with enemy combatants than their Arab neighbors. Leaders of terrorist groups have even been treated in Israeli hospitals and had their lives saved. The same for children of all faiths who come to Israeli hospitals and receive the best treatment. Only Israel sends teams around the world when disasters hit. Yet, in the name of “justice,” these members  bandy about falsehoods and incite hatred and intolerance.
While the resolution was signed by the typical people you would expect, I was shocked and saddened that Marine Park’s own congresswoman Yvette Clarke placed her name in the company of this rogue’s gallery and aligned herself with people who preach hate against Jews and Israel all while suggestion tolerance and respect for all people.Her Congressional website’s headline is: Justice, Fairness, Equity. This bill was anything but just, fair, or equitable. To sign such a bill when her constituents are very much against it is a slap in the face to those who seek respectful treatment for ALL people. I urge you to call Congresswomen Yvette Clark’s offices at 718-287-1142 and 202-225-6231and let her know how you feel about someone who represents you, teaming up with the forces of hate and intolerance that threaten this great nation of ours.
It is a sad but apropos situation as we enter the month of Tammuz and approach the Three Weeks. As the Navi says, “Kol rodfeha hisiguha, bain hametzarim, all her pursuers overtook her between the straits.” While we speak up to our elected officials, let us be motivated by the fact that we will never be truly accepted by the other nations and beseech Hashem to reveal Himself to the entire world with the coming of Moshiach and the rebuilding of the Bais HaMikdash b’m’heira b’yameinu.
Warm regards,SheaShea@TheJewishEcho.com
Shea Rubenstein, is the executive vice President of the JCC of Marine Park and co- founder of the JCON conferences