Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)
“Help us fight terrorism by not being terrorized”: Thoughts on the last few weeks
Amid many meaningful local connections we’ve made with Israel this week, our hearts are heavy with the violence we’ve been seeing there over the last several weeks: horrific stabbings, attempted bus hijackings, car rammings and other attacks against Jews. Enough is enough. There is no justification for terrorism. What we have seen over the last weeks is not a result of “settlements,” as Secretary of State Kerry said, but rather the result of powerful incitements by the Palestinian Authority in the form of false rumors that Israel was going to change the status quo at the Temple Mount.
Although the tension remains, Israelis are trying to maintain normal lives. As Mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat said on a recent conference call hosted by JFNA, “We must go on with life…. The terrorists want to deter us. The best way for Jews around the world to stand up is that this is the time to continue. If you plan to come, don’t cancel. Help us fight terrorism by not being terrorized.” Barkat also went on to ask people around the world to help fight this current round of terrorism. Here are some ways we can answer Barkat’s call:
- Support Israel by reaching out to friends and family to express your thoughts and solidarity during this difficult time.
- Monitor what’s going on by staying informed: The Israel Project, The Times of Israel, and YnetNews.com.
- Advocate for Israel by sharing articles via social media and talking to friends, family, and colleagues about the current situation.
As I alluded to above, while we’ve been watching the violence in Israel, our strong connections with Israel have been on display here in Cincinnati. On Monday, the JCRC hosted a special briefing with Representatives Denise Driehaus and Timothy Derickson, who both spoke about their recent trip to Israel. This bipartisan duo shared their impressions, stories, and powerful learning experiences. While they both shared that they were Israel supporters before the trip, they indicated that this firsthand experience strengthened their ties.
Later in the week, the city of Cincinnati hosted 15 Israelis representing 12 Israeli companies. These delegates were invited to visit Cincinnati by the Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI). REDI has been focusing on building business relationships for the last several years and has had a special interest in building Cincinnati-Israel relationships, hoping to attract Israeli companies looking to establish a North American presence. This delegation talked with dozens of local business leaders, Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley, and Senator Sherrod Brown.
As you go through the week, I challenge you to be an Israeli ambassador yourself. Tell your friends and neighbors about all the good that’s happening to strengthen Cincinnati’s connections with Israel. Together, we can fight lies and incitement with truth. In the face of terror, we can show resolve. And, as we have so often before, we can meet violence with solidarity and peace.