Founded 1897

Zionist Organization of America

William Kristol, Ben Hecht Journalism Awardee Honoree Harley Lippman receives the Louis Brandeis Award from ZOA President Morton Klein AnnualAnnual ZZOOAA DiDinnennerr

Upcoming DC Mission-May 12

Knesset Deputy Speaker Danny Danon receives ZOA Student Leadership ZOA Award from Board Trip to Israel Members Dr. Alan Mazurek, Michael Orbach ZOA People: Carl and Sylvia Freyer Abbas: No Jews Allowed in Palestine Obama Misled Israel on Iran Dalia Rabin: Dad May Have Stopped Oslo

Defender of Israel SPRING Awardee Gary Bauer 2011

ZOA REPORT PB SPRING 2011 1 ZOA REPORT TABLE OF ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA CONTENTS PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Hypothetical 2 President's Message 4 Around the Country Obama Speech with Morton Klein 5 ZOA Brandeis Award ZOA Would Love Dinner 10 ZOA Center for Law and Justice 13 Briefings to ZOA's Board of Directors 14 ZOA Government Relations Department

16 ZOA Brandeis Award an objective observer, one years ago, Israel did more Dinner Pictures clearTo fact emerges from an examination of the Middle East: than its part. It ceded 19 ZOA Campus the Palestinians’ continuing refusal to accept Israel as a Jew- control of all of Gaza and Activism Network ish state and their fostering of violence against Israel. One half the West Bank to the PA wishes that the Obama Administration would show that it and offered even more, only 21 Student Leadership understands this reality and is adopting policies to respond to be rejected. Now, 99% Mission to Israel to it. Imagine what a difference it could make if President of Palestinians live under Barack Obama, in his next major policy statement on the Palestinian control, yet the 24 ZOA People Carl and Sylvia Freyer Middle East, were to say something like the following: PA has not done its part. “More than two years in office has persuaded me “The U.S. can no longer 25 ZOA Analysis that, in our pursuit of an Arab-Israeli peace, we have give unconditional aid to sometimes neglected key problems. the PA of almost $1 billion 27 ZOA Israel Office “It is not possible to per year. We will now link 31 ZOA Around the achieve peace between U.S. funding to the PA Country Arabs and Jews if Arabs verifiably ending incitement, do not accept the right of outlawing terrorist groups,

Published by the Jews to their own state. combating terrorism Zionist Organization of America The United States cannot and accepting Israel as a Jacob and Libby Goodman ZOA House any longer accept that Jewish state. For too long 4 East 34th Street, New York, NY 10016 Palestinians are taught to we have permitted the Phone (212) 481-1500 reject Israel and to glorify argument that our national Fax (212) 481-1515 Email: [email protected] violence against her. security interests permit Website: www.zoa.org “I am calling upon the us to overlook Palestinian Morton A. Klein National President Palestinian Authority (PA) non-compliance with the Dr. Michael Goldblatt to publicly accept Israel as Oslo agreements. The Chairman of the Board a Jewish state. opposite is true: building Dr. Alan Mazurek “The United States up a Palestinian society Chairman, National Advisory Council Morton A. Klein cannot continue to expend that fosters extremism Henry Schwartz President, Zionist Treasurer its energy, credibility and Organization of and hatred, including anti- Stanley Kessock resources on peace-making America American hatred, is a threat Acting National Executive Director without this minimal to the national security of

Design and Layout: Josh Teplow condition being fulfilled. not only our ally, Israel, “Since Oslo began 17 but of the United States as

ZOA REPORT 2 SPRING 2011 3 ZOA REPORT PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

well. As president, I can no saw the Fatah Conference Israel in a keffiyah next Israel’s existence. According longer permit this. named in honor of Amin to a rifle and an image of to a poll conducted by “We still hear the Al-Hindi, mastermind of the Yasser Arafat. the Palestinian Center for speeches of hateful clerics Munich Olympics terrorist We see that Policy and Survey Research appointed by the PA calling operation. the Fatah in September 2008, only for the murder of Jews, as “We have even seen Constitution, 13% of Palestinians support in the sermon broadcast on the PA honor Muhammad which calls educating Palestinian PA TV from Nablus’s Bourin Fadlallah, responsible in for Israel’s children for peace. A Mosque on January 29, 2010, the Hizballah bombing destruction“ and the use of November 2010 Arab World in which Jews were declared that claimed the lives of terrorism as an essential & Development poll informs ‘the enemies of Allah and of 242 U.S. servicemen in element in the campaign us that 85% of Palestinians His Messenger … Enemies 1983. The United States to achieve this goal, is don’t want peace if it means of humanity in general’ and cannot be expected to unchanged. compromise on borders or Muslims were exhorted continue to support the “Conversely, we have settlements or Jerusalem or to murder them with the PA when it glorifies killers not seen terrorist groups the Israel-destroying ‘right words ‘The Prophet says: of Americans and Israelis. outlawed, as required under of return.’ ‘You shall fight the Jews and kill them…’ We have heard Sheikh Ibrahim Mudeiris say in a PA TV sermon that Jews “A 2007 poll shows that 90% are a virus resembling AIDS. Muhammad Ahmed Hussein, appointed Mufti of Jerusalem of Palestinians under 25 and by Mahmoud Abbas, has justified suicide bombing, 75% over 25 don’t accept saying, ‘It is legitimate, of course, as long as it plays a Israel’s existence. role in the resistance.’ The problem is larger than merely Under my leadership, we the Oslo agreements. We “Jewish settlements that hate-filled, will no longer do so. have not seen any PA maps, encompass only 5% of Judea e x t r e m i s t We see PA official stationery or school and Samaria are not the clerics.“ We see PA posters programs atlases that even show problem. There were no that glorify suicide and hear Israel within any borders. Jewish communities in the bombers. We see PA/Fatah PA videos We have not seen the PA West Bank before 1967, statements and programs e x t o l l i n g acknowledge the Jewish yet there was no peace or honoring terrorists, calling terrorism.“ We witness religious and historical claim acceptance of Israel. Why them devoted brothers, scores of schools, streets to the land, to Jerusalem, cannot 300,000 Jews live heroes and martyrs. We and sports teams named or even to the Western among 1.5 million Arabs, have seen the PA president after terrorists. We have Wall, the holiest of Judaism’s when 1.4 million Arabs live and prime minister visit even seen U.S. aid money sites. To the contrary, we among 6 million Jews in terrorists and the homes used to pave a street have seen these repeatedly Israel? of suicide bombers’ families, named after Saddam denied by high PA officials. Yet, Mr. Abbas, mourning and praising them. Hussein. We see PA laws “ T h i s t e r r i f y i n g you and your We see vicious lies on PA requiring a death sentence incitement works. ”A 2007 officials even TV and in newspapers for anyone selling land to poll shows that 90% of proclaim that describing Israel as a threat a Jew. We see a new Fatah Palestinians under 25 and not even one to humanity. We recently emblem that drapes all of 75% over 25 don’t accept Jew“ will be permitted to

ZOA REPORT 2 SPRING 2011 3 ZOA REPORT AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE MORTON KLEIN live in a Palestinian state. peace and security. ZOA event with U.S. Cong. Your enmity goes beyond “We need change, in the Ros-Lehtinen, Deutch and West Jews. You have also driven PA’s actions, policies and out most Christians from culture. We need compliance The Florida Region hosted a private fundraiser at the ex- Bethlehem by making their with its commitments to traordinarily beautiful home of National Board Members lives miserable. Your actions arrest terrorists, outlaw Dan and Caroline Katz in Boca Raton. Our featured guests and policies indicate that terrorist groups and end included freshman Congressman Allen West (R-FL), Con- establishing a Palestinian the incitement to hatred gressman Ted Deutch (D-FL), and a video message from state at this time would and murder that feeds it. veteran Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Chair likely create a terrorist I expect to see President of the powerful House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Ap- state, further destabilizing Abbas and Prime Minister proximately 100 guests attended, including leaders from a the Middle East. Fayyad making speeches variety of local community organizations. “I am also deeply in Arabic to their people The program opened with welcoming remarks from Dan concerned that, just as accepting Israel as a Jewish Katz. Dan spoke of his own history with ZOA and his 20- Gaza fell to the Iranian- state and condemning year friendship with Mort Klein. Florida Region Executive Director Joe Sabag then introduced Congressman Ted Deutch. As a Florida State Senator in 2007, the Congressman earned national “Jewish settlements that recognition for innovating and sponsoring legislation that made Florida the first state in America to exert economic encompass only 5% of the West pressure aimed at thwarting Iran’s nuclear weapons program through divestment. Congressman Deutch, a member of the Bank are not the problem. There House Foreign Affairs Committee, spoke of his personal were no Jewish communities in love for Israel and of the strength of the bipartisan support that Israel will receive from the 112th Congress. He also Judea and Samaria before 1967..." spoke warmly of his strong relationship with ZOA and looks forward to continuing to work together. Mort Klein then delivered a terrific lecture. He articulated ZOA’s pragmatic understanding of the Arab backed Hamas, so too could suicide bombing against war on Israel, the policy performance of the American a PA state in the West Bank. Israelis as an obscenity and Israeli governments, and the state of U.S.-Israel A situation in which missiles and scourge that must be relations. Mort concluded by explaining how ZOA is are likely to be fired into the eradicated.” set apart from other pro-Israel organizations by its heart of Israel – Jerusalem, Imagine what a difference strict adherence to truth and realism. Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion it could make if President Congressman Allen West was then introduced by Joe Airport – is not one we Obama would issue such a Sabag. The Congressman was elected to office in 2010 on wish to bring about. statement expressing the a strong pro-Israel platform. He retired as a Lieutenant The Arab- truth about the Arab war Colonel from the U.S. Army after 22 years of service in I s r a e l i against Israel. infantry divisions. Congressman West has described the conflict has relationship between America and Israel as one that is been the both natural and imperative. When speaking on the subject, result of one With Zionist greetings he substantiates his points with frequent references to thing“ – an Arab refusal to facts and events that demonstrate an impressive breadth accept a Jewish state in its and depth of knowledge of the history of the Jewish biblical, religious and legal people and Israel, and the ongoing Arab war against Israel. homeland. Peace can only Congressman West was highly complimentary of ZOA, come when there is true and in later conversation mentioned that he views ZOA as acceptance of Israel’s right Morton A. Klein to exist as a Jewish state in National President continued on page 33

ZOA REPORT 4 SPRING 2011 5 ZOA REPORT ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA ZOA’S BRANDEIS AWARD DINNER

Successful ZOA Dinner With William Kristol, Gary Bauer and Danny Danon

Harley Lippman Brandeis Honoree

November 21, 2010, nearly 800 honored with the Cherna & Irving Moskowitz Award peopleOn attended the Zionist Organization of America’s for outstanding pro-Israel activism, in recognition of his (ZOA) 113th Louis D. Brandeis Award National Dinner extraordinary work in calling for the truth of the Al- at New York City’s elegant Grand Hyatt Hotel. William Dura hoax to be fully investigated and for new hearings Kristol, founding editor of the Weekly Standard, regular into the matter, despite the French establishment's efforts Fox TV panelist and co-founder of the Emergency Com- to block the truth from coming out. Philippe Karsenty, a mittee for Israel, and Gary Bauer, co-founder of Chris- distinguished journalist, Deputy Mayor of Neuilly, France, tians United for Israel and former chief domestic pol- and President of Media-Ratings, exposed the Palestinian icy adviser to President Ronald Reagan, were keynote Authority’s Muhammad Al-Dura hoax (the fabricated killing speakers at the Dinner at which they were also honored. of a Palestinian boy allegedly by Israeli gunfire in September Mr. Kristol was awarded the ZOA’s Ben Hecht Award 2000, for which Israel was lambasted in the international for Outstanding Journal- media). Karsenty spoke ism, previous recipients of of Senator Plancade’s which have included A.M. extraordinary efforts to Rosenthal, David Bar-Ilan, see justice done. Cal Thomas, Daniel Pipes, This year, Harley Caroline Glick and Jeff Ja- Lippman, renowned pro- coby. Mr. Bauer was this Israel activist, CEO of year’s recipient of the Genesis 10, president of the ZOA’s Defender of Israel America – Israel Friendship Award, previous recipi- League and board member ents of which include Is- of the Middle East Forum, raeli Vice-Prime Minister received ZOA’s highest and former Israel Defense honor, the Louis D. Forces Chief-of-Staff, Lt.- Brandeis Award. Previous Gen. Moshe Yaalon, and recipients of the Brandeis the now- House Majority Award have included Leader Cong. Eric Cantor Dr. Miriam Adelson, Vice and former UN ambassa- President Joseph Biden, dor John Bolton. Abba Eban, Justice Arthur French Senator Jean- Louis D. Brandeis Award Honoree Harley Lippman Goldberg, Ronald Lauder, Pierre Plancade was Natan Sharansky, Simon

ZOA REPORT 4 SPRING 2011 5 ZOA REPORT ZOA’S BRANDEIS AWARD DINNER

Wiesenthal, Elizabeth Morton A. Klein and ZOA Taylor and Mortimer for what you are doing for Zuckerman. Zionism. I want to tell you Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald I am proud of what you are gave a Dvar Torah regarding doing, because there are a the late ZOA stalwart, lot of Jewish organizations. Carl Freyer, who passed If we work together, we away earlier in 2010. Then, will defeat our enemies.” Michael Orbach, former Dr. David Milch chairman of the ZOA introduced Brandeis Board and ZOA Brandeis Awardee, Harley Lippman, honoree, introduced whose speech was Deputy Speaker of the preceded by a screening Knesset, Danny Danon. Mr. of a short film, “A Torah Danon spoke powerfully Returns to Poland.” Mr. about the importance of the Lippman’s ancestors came ZOA and its perception of from Poland and most of Knesset Deputy Speaker Danny Danon and ZOA the crucial issues involved Chairman of the Board Dr. Michael Goldblatt them were exterminated in the Arab war on Israel. by the Nazis. Mr. Lippman Mr. Danon said, “We have spoke of his joy in being a problem with Barack able to restore a historic Obama. He is focusing on Jews building homes in Jerusalem, Torah scroll to Warsaw’s only surviving synagogue. He rather than the issue of the moment – Iran going nuclear.” described the moving trips that he and his family had know that the dangers of creating a taken to Poland and his efforts to help Jews and others in Palestinian state are understood in need, including setting up an orphanage in Cambodia. He this room. I don’t have to convince recounted the moving story of his grandmother who, at 15 you. All of you love Israel, and I years of age, narrowly escaped molestation by a Cossack commend you.” Mr. Danon elaborated before coming alone to America and thereby continuing on“I the profound security threats that Israel would face from his family lineage that was otherwise obliterated in the a PA-run Palestinian state. “When you come to Ben Gurion Holocaust. Concluding, Mr. Lippman said, “When bad Airport, the plane that carries you must take a U-turn in people say they’re going to kill you, believe them; when order to take a safe flight path into Ben Gurion. I told Prime Iran’s leaders say they’ll wipe Israel off the face of the Minister Netanyahu, ‘we don’t need another ceremony at map, believe them. We are at risk in a world in which the White House, we don’t need another accord that will be demonstrators in Iran wave placards saying, ‘Jews only violated. I know that it’s difficult to be the prime minister. Yet, appear human,’ and when clerics call for fighting and if you told us 18 months ago that you’d put in place a freeze vanquishing the Jews.” on Jewish construction, you wouldn’t be prime minister and ong. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) spoke I wouldn’t be sitting in Knesset, because the people voted briefly about the uniqueness of the for us to defend Israel’. I want to send to the prime minister ZOA’s contribution to Zionism and the a message today – ‘Don’t go against the people, who believe defense of Israel. “There is really only one in us. You have attacked the ideology of the left. In what you organization in Washington speaking for do now you will get the support of Labor and Kadima – theC Zionist community as you do. Many others do not but you will lose your loyal supporters. Reject the idea of speak up when we need it most. Mort Klein was introduced a second building freeze in Judea and Samaria.’” Mr. Danon to me in my first year in Congress and I have grown to recounted Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s demand for know and admire his work. When a huge aid package was an explanation from Israel for approving new construction prepared for the Saudis, only one Jewish organization in Gilo and Pisgat Zeev, responding, “There is only one stood up to oppose it – the ZOA. Some of us stood up explanation – Jerusalem is and will remain the united capital for Jonathan Pollard, but only one organization stood up of Israel.” In closing, Mr. Danon said, “I want to commend with us – the ZOA. So I want to say thank you to you.”

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Speaking of the similarities of atmosphere between the Israel and the ZOA. “You are Jews who are strong in your 1930s and today, Cong. Weiner said that Israel needs to faith. I want to tell you that there are millions more of us who be staunchly defended, and that “standing up for Israel is support Israel. We are Hamas’, Hizballah’s and Islamic Jihad’s one of the ways we say G-d bless America.” He noted his worst nightmare. Yet, when you are here with friends and stances in opposition to President Obama on aid to Saudi neighbors enjoying this evening, there are evil people who Arabia, aid to the PA and dividing Jerusalem. worship death who are feverishly working on ways to bring artin Gross, president of the to you, and to all Americans and Israelis, sorrows greater Washington Institute for Near East than those you’ve already experienced. They don’t want to Policy and a ZOA Brandeis honoree, kill 3,000 or 30,000 people, but millions. They won’t rest introduced Ben Hecht Awardee until there is a mushroom cloud over New York, or London William Kristol, who spoke of the or Berlin or Jerusalem or Tel Aviv. They are motivated, they Msignificance of Zionism to Jews both before and after the tell us, by their faith. I don’t know why political correctness Holocaust. He described learning from Leo Strauss, “a proud has such a hold on us, but I take these people at their Jew, a student of Maimonides, Aristotle, Machiavelli and word. Today the greatest threat to the Jews is the Islamists Hobbes, someone who was already a Zionist in the 1920s, and the Western elites who are too cowardly to confront about the life-altering course of political Zionism, which was them. When someone of questionable background said an attempt to restore the Jews’ inner freedom of which only that he was going to build a mosque at Ground Zero, people who are loyal to their heritage and loyal to their 70% even here in this diverse city said no. I watched the faith are capable.” He recounted how previous Ben Hecht Mayor of New York and our President say that the mosque Awardee, Philippe Karsenty, had fought an infinitely difficult should be built, then they went on to lecture us on why it fight for justice in the Al-Dura hoax case in France and how should be built and they told us that we who are opposed he himself had experienced the difficulty of being “part of were somehow intolerant, that we didn’t understand the the ZOA wing of the Harvard faculty” – an allusion to Cong. Constitution. Why are they unable to understand the Weiner’s frequent statement that he comes from the ZOA instincts of normal Americans? We say that there should wing of the Democratic be no monument erected Party. Mr. Kristol also in the name of the faith in referred to the little- which the terrorists acted. remembered 1936 book, The problem of intolerance The Yellow Spot, documenting is not in the heartland the Nazi genocidal assault of America, it is in the on Jews already then in heartland of Islam. Planning evidence. He recounted that an act of evil, like the Winston Churchill had said Holocaust, cannot occur that it is important to act to unless good men avert preserve England, not only their gaze and rationalize to have good intentions. evil. Iranian President “It is the same with Israel: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad can we can’t just wish Israel come to this very city and well, we have to make sure speak at the UN, without that the forces are there to having to worry that he secure it and that the U.S. is a war criminal who can survive and flourish. It needs to be brought to is not enough to want to do justice.” Turning to Jewish- the right thing; one has an Christian relations, Mr. obligation to combat evil.” Bauer said, “I can’t ignore Joyce Chernick, a great what Christians have done Former AIPAC President Lonny Kaplan and former activist Zionist, introduced U.S. Ambassador to Uruguay Martin Silverstein to Jews. I can’t explain it. Gary Bauer, who gave a Good Germans brought rousing address celebrating the crooked cross and

ZOA REPORT 6 SPRING 2011 7 ZOA REPORT ZOA’S BRANDEIS AWARD DINNER placed it beside the cross breakthrough in having of Jesus; I cannot erase Title VI of the Civil the memory – but today, Rights Act, which has I can tell you that there applied to blacks and are millions of Christians Hispanics, now applied to who know that we cannot protecting Jewish students worship a Jewish carpenter from discrimination, and be opposed to the Jews. intimidation and I’m actually an optimist; harassment. Klein noted we live in an unbelievable the distressing fact that civilization, the Judeo- ADL and Hillel had early Christian civilization with on condemned ZOA its roots in Rome, Athens for being gun-slingers and Jerusalem. I know that from the east coast and we, Christians and Jews, exaggerating the problems can overcome the disdain for Jews on campus. of our own elites and the “With respect to jihadists. We know that U.S. Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY) speaking with Israel, I’m getting sick and ZOA President Morton Klein there are still young men tired of leaders telling us in this country willing to go what we want to hear, but into the heart of darkness not what we need to hear. to fight the death-worshipping jihadists. I believe that because We keep hearing if Israel would only give more land and of men and women like you, that in a year, and in 100 years, make more concessions, then we can finally have peace the stars and stripes will fly over a free America and the Star But the truth is, the Arab war against Israel has nothing of David will fly over Jerusalem, united forever as Israel’s to do with borders, land, settlements or a Palestinian capital.” state. It is simply old-fashioned Jew-hatred and anti- Dr. Shelly Ventura-Cohen, a prominent Beverly Hills Semitism. The Arabs don’t want a Jewish state within psychologist and Executive Director of ZOA in California, any borders. Please understand, Arabs don’t want peace introduced ZOA National President Morton A. Klein, with the Jewish state, they never wanted peace with the who opened by congratulating Harley Lippmann, Gary Jewish state. And as much as we want peace, Israel will Bauer, William Kristol and Danny Danon for making the live and thrive without it, as it has since 1948. 113th ZOA Dinner such a special evening, then turning “Nevertheless, President Obama and much of the world to the commitment of ZOA activists and supporters, think differently, despite the absence of any sign of peace Mr. Klein said “Had the Jewish and Christian Zionists in after giving away half of Judea and Samaria, all of Gaza, and this room existed in the 1930s, history would have been having 99% of Palestinians living under Palestinian rule. very different.” Obama is demanding yet another unilateral freeze and lein recounted the many important ZOA unilateral land concessions from Israel, while he and his successes in preventing or terminating the administration condemn Israel for building homes for Jews appointments to important government in eastern Jerusalem. posts of people like Islamist apologist “President Obama condemns Israel while speaking from Salam Al-Marayati, Israel-basher Joe Zogby, Indonesia, which doesn’t even allow Israelis to enter their Ktop aide to the Assistant Secretary of State for Near East country. How much more important and powerful it would Affairs, Israel-basher John Roth, and Saudi apologist and have been if he had urged the large Muslim majority country inveterate anti-Israel bigot Chas. W. Freeman. He noted of Indonesia to recognize Israel? And how powerful would how the ZOA incenses its critics, observing that the ZOA, it have been if President Obama had publicly urged Muslim one of several organizations targeted in the Israel-bashing leaders, imams and sheikhs to hold a press conference and Mearsheimer-Walt book on the pro-Israel lobby, is cited publicly condemn radical Islamic terrorism as a nightmare 12 times. and outrage, while accepting Israel’s right to exist as a Klein spoke of the ZOA’s recent important Jewish state?

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evertheless, while President Obama and his administration condemn Israel for building in east Jerusalem, they are silent on the PA’s recent anti- “Npeace, pro-terror actions. When Mahmoud Abbas told Arab journalists that if Arab states go to war with Israel, ‘We are for it,’ President Obama and Secretary Clinton were silent. When Salaam Fayyad walked out of a meeting at the UN with Israeli counterparts because he refused to sign a joint communiqué that spoke of a state for the Jews, President Obama and Secretary Clinton were silent. When the PA celebrated terrorist leader Dalal Mughrabi, President Obama and Secretary Clinton were silent. When Right: ZOA Board Member Henry Schwartz and family Abbas praised the late terrorist mastermind Abu Daoud, President Obama and Secretary Clinton were silent. When the PA ambassador to Iran said that Israel would be destroyed in due course, President Obama and Secretary show that by more than two to one they disapprove of Clinton were silent. When Fayyad paid condolence calls Obama’s policies towards Israel. So every American Jewish to the families of dead terrorists while praising them as organization has the right and basis to criticize Obama for heroes, President Obama and Secretary Clinton were his demands and pressure on Israel.” silent. When, in the last few weeks, the PA referred to Klein concluded, “The whole world is condemning and Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities as ‘occupied,’ President pressuring Israel. Can the whole world be wrong and Israel Obama and Secretary Clinton were silent. But when a Jew be right? History teaches us that, when it comes to the Jews, says he wants to live in Jerusalem, all hell breaks out from the whole world has been regularly wrong and Israel right. this anti-Israel administration. I say to President Obama When Israel bombed Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor in 1981, and Secretary Clinton, for shame, for shame.” the whole world condemned Israel for it. Nevertheless lein observed that the Obama the whole world was wrong, and we were right. Across Administration has given the PA nearly much of history, we were monotheists, everyone else were $2 billion without any conditions – no polytheists – the whole world was wrong, and we were right. outlawing of terrorists, no condemnation When the world accused us of crucifying Jesus, or killing of terror, no end to incitement. “The PA gentile children, poisoning wells, causing bubonic plague, and getsK more money per capita than any nation on earth. made blood libels against us – the whole world was wrong, American Jews see what is happening and recent polls we were right and the same is true today.” Mort received a standing ovation. artin S. Foont, founder and CEO of Global Tax Services, and Yacov Wrocherinsky, founder and CEO of Infinity Info Systems, were Dinner Co-Chairmen. Approximately 100 collegeM students attended the dinner, and those who participated in a ZOA student mission to Israel rose when called upon by ZOA Campus Managing Director, Josh Nason, and were acknowledged by Dinner attendees. Several ZOA student activists made the blessing over the bread and Dr. Alan Mazurek, Chairman of the ZOA’s ZOA Campus Managing Director, Josh Nason and National Advisory Council, was Master of Ceremonies, ZOA students presiding over proceedings with his usual sparkling wit and charm.

ZOA REPORT 8 SPRING 2011 9 ZOA REPORT ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE

After A Six-Year ZOA Campaign, applied this narrow interpretation when it dismissed the ZOA’s Title VI complaint on behalf of Jewish students at the the U.S. Department of Education University of California, Irvine (UCI). Announces That It Will Protect Filed in October 2004, the ZOA’s complaint alleged that Jewish students at UCI had been subjected to years of anti- Jewish Students from Anti-Semitic Semitic harassment, intimidation and discrimination, which the university knew about but failed to redress, in violation Harassment Under Title VI of Title VI. OCR decided that the ZOA’s complaint should be investigated, rendering it the first case of anti-Semitism that the agency ever agreed to investigate under Title VI. But shortly after the investigation began, new leadership came on board at OCR, which resulted in a change in the way that the agency Anti-Semitism remains interpreted Title VI. OCR decided that Jews were strictly a at a troubling level on our college campuses, and even in some religious group and not also an ethnic group that would be middle and high schools, affecting the physical and emotional entitled to the protections of Title VI. As a result, after the safety and well-being of Jewish students. Now these students case was pending at OCR for approximately three years (most will have the same legal recourse that has been afforded to cases are resolved in six months), the agency dismissed the other ethnic and racial groups facing harassment or intimi- case, concluding that OCR lacked jurisdiction over many of the dation at publicly funded schools. On October 26, 2010, the allegations of the complaint. The ZOA appealed this decision; U.S. Department of Education announced that Title VI of the after close to three years, the appeal is still pending. Civil Rights Act of 1964 will now be interpreted and en- Since OCR’s decision in November 2007, the ZOA has forced to protect Jewish students from anti-Semitic harass- been working hard to ensure that Jewish students get the ment, intimidation and discrimination. Title VI requires that legal protections they need and deserve. Through op-eds, federally funded schools ensure that their programs and ac- letters, ads, petitions, and speeches at a variety of venues, tivities are free from racial and ethnic discrimination, or risk we have been educating the public about the problems that losing their federal funding. This new policy was set forth in Jewish students have been facing across the nation, and their a letter addressing bullying in schools. Russlynn Ali, head of need for the same legal protection from harassment and the U.S. Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights, de- discrimination that has been guaranteed to other ethnic and clared in the letter that “anti-Semitic harassment can trigger racial groups since Title VI was enacted in 1964. responsibilities under Title The ZOA has also helped rally the support of other Jewish VI. While Title VI does not groups on the Title VI issue. In March 2010, we drafted a cover discrimination based letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, urging solely on religion, groups the Department of Education to protect Jewish students [such as Jews] that face dis- under Title VI. Twelve other Jewish groups – the American crimination on the basis of Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists, the American actual or perceived shared Jewish Committee, the American Jewish Congress, the Anti- ancestry or ethnic charac- Defamation League, B’nai B’rith International, Hillel: The teristics may not be denied Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, the Institute for Jewish & protection under Title VI on Community Research, the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the ground that they also the Jewish War Veterans of the USA, the Religious Action share a common faith.” Center of Reform Judaism, Scholars for Peace in the Middle Prior to this policy East, and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of clarification, OCR was America – signed the letter. interpreting Title VI We have also been alerting and educating Members of BANNER PHOTO CREDIT: db k in g Susan Tuchman narrowly, viewing Jews Director, Center for Congress about the loophole in Title VI that leaves Jewish strictly as a religious group Law and Justice students unprotected when they’re harassed or intimidated. and not also an ethnic group As a result of our advocacy efforts, U.S. Senators and that would entitle them to Congressmen wrote letters to the Education Secretary, Title VI’s protections. OCR decrying OCR’s decision in the ZOA’s case against UCI and

ZOA REPORT 10 SPRING 2011 11 ZOA REPORT CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE

only to end the harassment, but also to “prevent its recurrence.” • Disciplining the perpetrators isn’t enough to satisfy Title VI. Schools must implement a “more systemic response,” which might include counseling the perpetrators about the hurtful impact of their conduct; publicly labeling the incidents as anti-Semitic; affirming the school’s anti-dis- crimination policy; publicizing how students may report harassment; providing training to teachers to recognize and address anti-Semitic incidents; creating age-appropri- ate programs for students about the history and dangers of anti-Semitism; and reaching out to parents and the community to prevent future anti-Semitic harassment. With this new policy, Jewish students will now be afforded the same legal protection under Title VI that other ethnic and racial groups have enjoyed since Title VI was enacted in 1964. Schools will now be obligated to fix a hostile anti- Semitic environment and prevent its recurrence so that Jewish students can get their education in an environment that every student needs and deserves – one that is physically and emotionally safe, and conducive to learning. The United States Department of Education will now protect Jewish students under Title VI New Book on Jewish Identity urging OCR to enforce Title VI to protect Jewish students. In and Civil Rights Highlights ZOA’s June 2010, at a briefing convened by the Congressional Task Force Against Anti-Semitism, the ZOA informed Members Groundbreaking Work to of Congress and their staff about anti-Semitic harassment on U.S. college campuses, and the federal government’s role Protect Jewish Students in addressing these incidents. The briefing led to letters from dozens of Members of Congress to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, urging the Education Department to protect Jewish students from anti-Semitic harassment under Title VI. After all these efforts, the Department of Education ZOA’s trailblazing work has finally announced that Jewish students are protected Theto protect Jewish students from anti-Semitism and the de- under Title VI. In issuing this new policy, the Department monization and delegitimization of the State of Israel was made several significant points: acclaimed in a newly published book called Jewish Identity and • A Title VI violation doesn’t have to involve repeated Civil Rights in America. Published by Cambridge University incidents; one incident, if sufficiently severe, can be Press, the book’s author is Kenneth L. Marcus, Executive Vice enough. President and Director of the Institute for Jewish & Com- • The harassment doesn’t have to be directed at a spe- munity Research’s Anti-Semitism Initiative. Mr. Marcus is the cific target in order to create a hostile environment former head of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for that violates Title VI. Even if a student is targeted, and Civil Rights (OCR). Under his leadership, OCR had decided he/she isn’t actually Jewish but just perceived to be in 2004 to enforce Title VI to protect Jewish students, only Jewish, the school is still obligated to respond under to revert back to a policy of not protecting Jewish students Title VI. after Mr. Marcus left the agency. • Schools must “take prompt and effective steps” not In his book, Mr. Marcus described the distinctive force and

ZOA REPORT 10 SPRING 2011 11 ZOA REPORT CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE impact of the ZOA’s Title VI complaint against the University complaint was dismissed in November 2007, despite the of California, Irvine (UCI), where Jewish students faced years investigators’ findings. Mr. Marcus also revealed that the of anti-Semitic harassment, intimidation and discrimination: regional director of OCR’s California office conceded that “To start, few complaints were as luridly detailed or as by 2006, “Irvine’s response was not in fact sufficient and . . . compelling as [the ZOA’s], which painted an appalling [the university] was fully in violation [of Title VI].” portrait of both anti-Jewish harassment and administrative Mr. Marcus initially exposed the truth behind the Irvine indifference. The number of incidents, the detail with which investigation in an article he wrote for the September 2010 they were presented, and the extent to which they formed issue of Commentary magazine, which he adapted from his a pattern of malfeasance were extraordinary for an OCR soon-to-be-released book. The book is a compelling read complaint.” and highlights the critical role that the ZOA has been The ZOA’s complaint, in Mr. Marcus’ experience, was playing in changing the course of civil rights enforcement unique: “Of all the complaints that I had reviewed at for the protection of Jewish students. OCR, only one or two remotely approached the power, complexity, and lawyerly craftsmanship that [the ZOA] put into [its complaint]. More important, [the ZOA’s complaint] was the first to apply OCR’s new policy on ZOA’s Legal Director Addresses mixed ethnic/religious discrimination, which I had issued Detroit’s Jewish Community and just months before, to a systemic case of hostile anti-Jewish environment in higher education.” University Administrators In his book, Mr. Marcus revealed the truth about OCR’s investigation of the ZOA’s complaint against UCI. OCR regional investigators had actually concluded that the ZOA “was right that Irvine students faced levels of discrimination that were so severe, pervasive, or objectively offensive as to December 8, 2010, the ZOA’s Mich- limit their educational opportunities.” But the leadership iganOn region hosted a community forum on fighting campus at OCR headquarters in Washington, D.C. overruled this anti-Semitism and Israel-bashing. The forum took place at conclusion, viewing Jews strictly as a religious group not Temple Beth El in Bloomfield Hills; Susan Tuchman, the direc- entitled to the protection of Title VI. As a result, the ZOA’s tor of the ZOA’s Center for Law and Justice, was the keynote speaker. Officials from four area universities – the University of Michigan, Oakland University, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University – attended and participated. Susan described the anti-Semitic harassment and intimidation that Jewish students are facing on campuses across the country, and the new U.S. Department of Education policy that requires federally funded schools to redress these problems and ensure that they don’t recur. Jason Holtzman, the ZOA’s Campus Coordinator for the Midwest Region, also spoke, confirming that Jewish students are facing problems on college campuses in the Midwest. Then, each of the university officials described the environment on their respective campuses, as well as their policies and protocols for responding to harassment problems. A question-and- answer period followed, during which community members – including students and their families – identified various problems that had occurred on some of the Michigan-area campuses, which had not been satisfactorily addressed and Kenneth Marcus: Jewish Identity and Civil Rights in America which had negatively affected the campus environment for Jewish students. Earlier that day, Susan spoke to three junior classes at

ZOA REPORT 12 SPRING 2011 13 ZOA REPORT CENTER FOR LAW AND JUSTICE

the Frankel Jewish Academy, a private Jewish high school. After Susan returned from Detroit, she followed up Susan shared with them some of the problems that Jewish with each of the four administrators, enclosing the new students have faced on their college campuses, as well as Department of Education policy letter and other information the new U.S. Department of Education policy that will now that would be useful in redressing campus problems that protect Jewish students who are harassed or intimidated. uniquely affect Jewish students. Thanks to this forum, Susan and the students discussed effective ways of university administrators in the Detroit area have a clearer responding to anti-Semitic and anti-Israel sentiment on sense of the kinds of problems that Jewish students are facing campus. Several students stayed after class to continue both in and out of the classroom. And administrators are the discussion. One student brought in a friend who had now more aware of their legal responsibilities should Jewish not even attended the session to be part of the dialogue. students complain about a hostile campus environment.

ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA BRIEFINGS TO ZOA’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The ZOA’s Board of Directors was privileged to receive opportunity to hear and learn the latest developments in several briefings apprising them of the latest issues concerning Israel, while offering the ZOA's views on these developments. the Middle East and U.S.-Israel relations. After each briefing, The meeting also presented Mr. Aharoni the framework in ZOA participants had the opportunity to ask questions of our which to share with the Board the Netanyahu Administration’s distinguished guests. positions on current events and developments as well, from the perspective of the most visible and important Consul post for November, 2010 Israel in the United States. Special Guest: John M. McLaughlin, Founder/CEO McLaughlin & Associates, a leading public opinion February, 2011 research/polling firm. Special Guest: MK Arieh Eldad, Member of Knesset from the National Union Party. Topic: What Should We Learn from the Midterm Elections? Dr. Eldad discussed the implications of the recent protests in Egypt for Israel and for the Israel-Egypt peace treaty. The post-election survey conducted by Mr. McLaughlin’s firm He also addressed the so-called peace process between resulted in the finding that the election was a Conservative Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which he characterized landslide, but not a Republican landslide. as including neither peace nor a process. Creating another Other results indicated that citizens are insecure about Palestinian state would be a disaster, in his view. There already terrorism, and there is heightened concern about foreign policy. is a Palestinian state: Jordan is Palestine and Palestine is Iran especially is of concern, with 80% of those polled worried Jordan. about Iran posing a nuclear threat. 43% of U.S. citizens believe their government’s policies are February, 2011 harming Israel (versus only 30% who don't hold that belief). Special Guest: Professor Abraham Sion, former Israeli American public opinion is concerned with Israel as its security Deputy State Attorney and now the Chair of the Center is linked to the U.S.’s security, and Americans don’t favor sending for Law and Mass Media at Ariel University. financial aid to the Palestinians because the latter do not favor the U.S. In Professor Sion’s view, the Israeli government is on the The survey also found that Republicans should make a wrong path, and the rank and file must show it the right way serious dent in the Jewish vote during the 2012 election, with forward. He feels it’s a big mistake not to talk about why the the reason given that Jews have friends and relatives living in Jews are in Israel and not in Africa. Until Israel states clearly that Israel, who are providing feedback to their friends and relatives the Oslo agreements were a mistake for Israel, the common living in the U.S. President Obama will have to moderate his assumption will continue to be that they were a positive policies if he wants to get reelected. development. In order to bring about the necessary changes in the fundamental assumptions underpinning the direction being December, 2010 taken by successive Israeli leadership, Professor Sion strongly Special Guest: Ido Aharoni, Israel’s Consul General for believes that a think tank must be built to develop the legal, New York, New jersey and Connecticut. social and historical points and solutions which will drive the successive Israeli governments toward the right path and keep Meeting with Mr. Aharoni afforded the ZOA Board an them there.

ZOA REPORT 12 SPRING 2011 13 ZOA REPORT ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA GOVERNMENT RELATIONS DEPARTMENT Government Relations Department Welcomes New Congress to DC

Washington, D.C. has for Law and Justice, in achieving a major victory in protecting been a dynamic place over the last few months, and the Gov- the rights of Jewish students. Due in large part to our ernment Relations Department has been very busy. There efforts, the U.S. Department of Education recently clarified was a flurry of legislative activity prior to the midterm elec- that it will enforce Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 tion, but the most significant outcome for the pro-Israel to protect Jewish students from anti-Semitic harassment community was the election itself. at federally funded schools. The next step is a ZOA effort In the run-up to the midterm election, and following to amend the law so that the new policy is enshrined in the ambush of Israeli naval commandos on the Turkish legislation. ship Mavi Marmara in May 2010, Rep. Dana Titus (D-NV), Shortly after the election, ZOA collaborated with several along with 23 bipartisan co-sponsors, worked closely with offices for introduction of a congressional resolution ZOA to introduce a resolution (H. RES. 1532) calling for opposing a unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state, and an investigation of Turkey and the IHH terrorist group strongly supported the resulting congressional resolution regarding their role in instigating the crisis. The resolution (H.RES. 1734) “reaffirming Congressional opposition to had a significant impact on the diplomacy surrounding the the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state” which was Gaza Flotilla incident, and State Department investigations sponsored by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) and Rep. Ileana Ros- of the IHH are continuing. Lehtinen (R-FL), new chairperson of the House Foreign The Government Relations Department also worked Relations Committee, along with Reps. Shelley Berkley very closely with Susan Tuchman, Director of ZOA’s Center (D-NV), Anthony Weiner (D-NY), Dan Burton (R-IN), and 28 others. In the final stretch, however, outgoing Committee Chairman Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA) decided to introduce his own version of the resolution which weakened the sense of congress language and recast the resolution as renewed support for the peace process. The final version, H. RES. 1765 “Supporting a negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and condemning unilateral measures to declare or recognize a Palestinian state,” was a synthesis of the ZOA-supported version championed by Rep. Ros-Lehtinen and the version written by Rep. Berman. The resolution passed in mid-December. The 112th Congressional session began in January. As the new members of the House and Senate get situated on Capitol Hill, the Co-Directors of Government Relations Josh London, Dan Pollak, for ZOA have been and will be busy reaching out to each Co-Director, Co-Director, of the new Senators and Representatives and their staff to Government Relations Government Relations introduce them to ZOA, build an organizational relationship, Department Department and educate the members in general about the Arab war against Israel, in all its facets. The November 2010 election resulted in a new Republican Majority, which means a change in leadership

ZOA REPORT 14 SPRING 2011 15 ZOA REPORT GOVERNMENT RELATIONS DEPARTMENT

for every House Committee. Perhaps the most anticipated new sanctions enacted into law in July 2010. The record change is in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where of the last few presidents at enforcing Iran sanctions has the incoming Chairperson is Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen been a bipartisan embarrassment, and if sanctions are (R-FL). going to achieve the result of forcing a change in Iranian Rep. Ros-Lehtinen is a wonderful asset to the nation and a behavior before a military attack is unavoidable, robust great friend to ZOA and Israel. She has worked closely with enforcement is a minimum requirement. ZOA in the past and has authored or sponsored numerous Relations between the Obama Administration and bills and resolutions advocated by ZOA. (She recently spoke the pro-Israel community continue to be problematic. at a ZOA fundraiser in Boca Raton, Florida.) The Wikileaks revelations late in 2010 revealed that the Even before taking her place as the new Committee administration has been disingenuous in claiming that Chair, Rep. Ros-Lehtinen announced her intention to Israeli unilateral concessions to the Palestinian Authority “work to restore fiscal discipline to foreign affairs, reform were required before Arab countries in the region would troubled programs and organizations, exercise vigorous support U.S. policy against Iran. In fact, the Gulf States have oversight to identify waste, fraud, and abuse, and counter been advocating a stronger policy of working to prevent the threats posed to our nation by rogue states and Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. In the report, the violent extremists…I plan on using U.S. contributions to Arab states never mentioned the issue of the Arab-Israeli international organizations as leverage to press for real situation or Jewish settlements. ZOA has been challenging reform of those organizations . . . and will not hesitate to the administration on its policy, its approach to the call for withdrawal of U.S. funds to failed entities like the conflict, and even its terminology, from the first days of the discredited Human Rights Council.” administration. short list of Rep. Ros-Lehtinen’s unfinished In light of the 2010 elections and the failure of the legislation from the last Congress gives us “settlements first” U.S. approach, Democratic members a preview of her likely priorities on the of Congress who have had a close relationship with ZOA House Foreign Affairs Committee for 2011, have become more willing to challenge the policy of the and makes clear that she shares ZOA’s administration. But the fact remains that the President Aconcerns about unconditional U.S. aid of almost $1 billion and the executive branch are far more important in the a year to the Palestinian Authority and to the UN’s pro- formulation of foreign policy than the legislative branch. Palestinian bodies. She is expected to introduce equivalent The Republican leadership in both houses of Congress is legislation in the new Congress: the “United Nations skeptical of the President’s approach to the region, and Transparency, Accountability, and Reform Act of 2009” (H.R. ZOA will continue to work to mitigate the policies of 557), which makes continued U.S. contributions to the UN the administration that seek to pressure Israel to make contingent on reform, with particular attention to pro- concessions which are not in either American or Israeli Palestinian UN organs, including UNRWA; the “UNRWA interests while they reward Palestinian Arab intransigence Humanitarian Accountability Act” (H.R.5065), which also and extremism. focused on preventing U.S. aid from reaching Hamas and he Co-Directors of Government Relations other terrorists groups in Gaza; and the “United States have also been active in presenting ZOA’s Foreign Assistance Partner Vetting System Act of 2009” case at think-tank policy conferences and (H.R.1062), which would establish rules for groups that to the media and public. They have been receive U.S. aid and would make it much more difficult interviewed and participated on panel for the Palestinian Authority (PA) to allow money to get Tdiscussions for TV and radio, including for Russia Today, Al- to terrorists. There are many other bills and resolutions Jazeera, Al-Arabia and Press TV. They have been keynote as well. ZOA’s Government Relations Department looks speakers for the Christian “Friends of Israel” group at their forward to working closely with Rep. Ros-Lehtinen to annual conventions, and have spoken for Jewish audiences introduce such legislation and to help shepherd it along in Florida and in the DC area. through the legislative process. At the heart of ZOA’s Government Relations efforts The problem of Iran and its quest to acquire a military are the dedication, passionate advocacy and depth of nuclear capability continues to pose a challenge to both knowledge of ZOA members across the country. Please American and Israeli security. ZOA and our friends on continue to stay involved in the grass roots advocacy that is Capitol Hill are pushing for the robust enforcement of the so important to our being effective in Washington, DC.

ZOA REPORT 14 SPRING 2011 15 ZOA REPORT ZOA’S BRANDEIS AWARD DINNER

Fox News Analyst William Kristol receives Ben Hecht Journalism Award from Washington Institute President, Martin Gross, as Dr. Alan Mazurek and Morton Klein look on

Joyce Chernick presents Gary Bauer with the Defender of Israel Award as Morton Klein and Harley Lippman look on

Former AIPAC President Lonnie Kaplan and ZOA President Morton Klein

Left to right: Fox News Analyst William Kristol, Knesset Deputy Speaker Danny Danon, ZOA Chairman of the Board Dr. Michael Goldblatt and ZOA Board Member Howard Schaerf

ZOA Chair Dr. Michael Goldblatt, Mrs. Bauer, Speaker Gary Bauer, MC Dr. ZOA Board Members Harvey Friedman, Bob Jacobs and their wives Alan Mazurek and Karen Mazurek

ZOA REPORT 16 SPRING 2011 ZOA’S BRANDEIS AWARD DINNER

Left to right: Philip Getz, ZOA Board Member Martin Sokol, and ZOA Board Member Dr. Jonathan Gold and friends Robert Schimmel

Left to right: ZOA Board Member Steve Goldberg, Jennifer Chernick, Journalist Left: ZOA Board Member Gene Shusman and friends Philippe Karsenty, Joyce Chernick, Rita Klein, Jerome Taylor

Left to right: ZOA Board Members Lew Dashe, Jay Knopf, Dr. Seth Corey, Gerry Platt, Center: ZOA Board Member Josh Landes and Washington and their families Institute President Martin Gross with friends

College students attending the ZOA Dinner Second from right: ZOA Board Member Rubin Margules and family

17 ZOA REPORT ZOA’S BRANDEIS AWARD DINNER

Congressman Eliot Engel (D-NY) speaks with ZOA Dr. Shelley Ventura-Cohen, Executive Master of Ceremonies Dr. Alan Mazurek Awardee William Kristol Director ZOA Southern California

Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, founder of National Jewish Outreach Program, delivers invocation ZOA Board Member Michael Orbach (seated) and family

ZOA President Morton Klein, Ben Hecht Journalism Left and right: Knesset Deputy Speaker Danny Danon speaks with ZOA lobbyist Dan Awardee William Kristol and Defender of Israel Awardee Pollak Gary Bauer

ZOA REPORT 18 SPRING 2011 19 ZOA REPORT ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA CAMPUS ACTIVISM NETWORK

Record paign included a poster ists also held a number atrical event entitled “I Turnout of with facts and a timeline of charity fundraisers for Heart Hamas and Other Students of Jewish history in Gaza, Operation Dignity, an or- Things I’m Afraid to Tell a multimedia presenta- ganization that assists You.” Samantha Vinokor, and Young tion that helped students Gush Katif refugees. One a former ZOA intern and Professionals understand the issues in event took place in New current president of the at ZOA Dinner depth, and a number of York City in August, and Pittsburgh Israel Public Af- philanthropy events to help another event was held fairs Committee (PIPAC), Over 100 students and the Gush Katif refugees. in Binghamton. The ini- tried to place an ad in the young professionals at- ZOA Campus staff tiative for these philan- University of Pittsburgh tended the ZOA Annual members were invited to thropy events came from student paper to publi- Dinner in New York last a number of campuses na- past participants in the cize the “real facts about November, a record turn- tionwide to give the “Gaza ZOA Student Leadership Hamas.” The paper’s edito- out. Many of these stu- 5 Years After” presenta- Mission to Israel, who saw rial staff initially approved dents and young profes- tion. In Florida, we were firsthand the Gush Katif the ad, but then rejected it sionals also volunteered joined by Dror Vanunu, refugee communities. just prior to press time on at the Dinner, and were Director of the Gush the basis that it was “too instrumental in the suc- Katif Development Fund ZOA Helps offensive.” ZOA drafted a cess of the evening. Three and international liaison Pittsburgh letter on the students’ be- ZOA student leaders led for the scattered commu- half objecting to the paper’s Hamotzi at the dinner, and nities of Gush Katif, who Students decision. ZOA’s interven- were recognized by ZOA spoke during a Gush Katif Fight Back tion helped, as the paper Dinner Chair Dr. Alan 5 Years Later Commemo- Against “I ended up offering to print Mazurek for their activ- ration event with students Love Hamas” the ad and also apologized ism. Later in the evening, from Florida International for the incident. all past participants in the University, Miami Dade Program ZOA Student Leadership College, Florida Atlantic Mission to Israel were rec- University, and young pro- ZOA helped Univer- ognized and a slideshow fessionals from K Space. sity of Pittsburgh students of the most recent trip ZOA student activ- counter an anti-Israel the- was shown. ZOA is proud that the student and young professional delegation has continued to increase at the ZOA Annual Dinner. “Gaza 5 Years After” Campaign BANNER PHOTO CREDIT OF BOO K S: T

In the fall, ZOA unveiled its “Gaza 5 Years After” Josh Nason, David Kadosh, Sharona Whisler, Jason Holtzman campaign on campus, tak- Managing Director, ZOA Campus ZOA Campus ZOA Campus ing a multi-faceted look at ZOA Campus Coordinator, East Coordinator, Coordinator, Programs Coast Region; Director Southeast Region Midwest Region o m M u rph the aftermath of Israel’s of Young Professional Activities unilateral withdrawal from y VII Gaza in 2005. The cam-

ZOA REPORT 18 SPRING 2011 19 ZOA REPORT CAMPUS ACTIVISM NETWORK

ZOA Co- over 100 fraternity and ZOA Sponsors massive action alerts to Sponsored Tour sorority members to learn Events on the community seeking Tells Truth how to do Israel advocacy Zionism and support, despite having within the Greek System. less than 48 hours’ notice About Sderot ZOA gave its “Gaza 5 Years the Ethiopian- of the mock checkpoint. at Midwest After” presentation to sev- Israeli Zionist organizations and Campuses eral dozen students, and Experience student groups worked to- also led workshops on Is- gether and showed up in ZOA co-sponsored a rael advocacy skills. ZOA’s ZOA sponsored an force at the counter dem- campus tour in the Mid- presence at the conference event with Israeli Ethiopi- onstration to help with the west to challenge the helped increase students’ an actor and international dissemination of materials anti-Israel propaganda on knowledge base about Is- filmmaker Sirak Sebhat to highlighting the necessity campus about Gaza and to rael and energize students speak about his journey of checkpoints to prevent present the facts about the for the next semester. from Ethiopia to Israel, the terrorist attacks on Israeli human suffering in Sderot. history of Ethiopian Jewry civilians. Working with Sderot Me- ZOA Co- and the strong sense of dia Center Director Noam Sponsors Zionism that brought the ZOA Young Bedein, the tour illustrated Ethiopian Jews back to the Professional the effects that 10,000+ Boston Jewish homeland. ZOA rockets have had on the ci- Conference also brought Zion Uness to Division vilian population in Sderot Countering a Yeshiva University Shab- The ZOA Young Profes- and the Western Negev. It Delegiti- baton to tell his story of sional Division organized also highlighted the type how Israel saved his com- the launch of the “Gaza of warfare used by Hamas, mization of munity in Ethiopia. Next 5 Years After” Campaign explaining that “97% of the Israel semester, Zion Uness will with a charity fundraiser rockets fired during Oper- ZOA co-sponsored be speaking on a number held in August for Op- ation Cast Lead were from CAMERA’s Fall 2010 Con- of Midwest campuses dur- eration Dignity, an Israeli densely populated areas.” ference, “War By Other ing Black History Month. charity that provides for This tour was especially Means: The Global Cam- refugees from Gush Katif. helpful in showing students paign to Delegitimize Is- ZOA Helps In December, the ZOA that terror attacks from rael.” The conference fea- Columbia Young Professionals co- Gaza are ongoing. tured a number of expert sponsored one of the larg- speakers on attempts to Students est Chanukah parties in ZOA Campus delegitimize Israel around Counter Mock New York City, the Cha- Staff Attend the world, and included a Checkpoint nukah United Party. The special student track. Josh event was a great oppor- Israel Nason, Managing Director In November, Columbia tunity for pro-Israel young Amplified of ZOA Campus Programs, University’s Students for professionals to network, Conference represented ZOA at the Justice in Palestine set up with over 700 people in at- conference and met with a mock Israeli checkpoint tendance. The ZOA Young ZOA Campus staff students there throughout in the middle of campus. Professional Board is plan- members Josh Nason and the event. ZOA helped pro-Israel ning many exciting events Sharona Whisler attended students create a coun- for the spring, including a this year’s Israel Amplified ter demonstration. The Krav Maga training event Conference. The confer- pro-Israel groups rallied and a Leadership Cocktail ence brought together together and sent out Hour.

ZOA REPORT 20 SPRING 2011 21 ZOA REPORT ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA STUDENT LEADERSHIP MISSION TO ISRAEL Experiencing the Land of Israel: ZOA Student Leadership Mission 2011

The annual ZOA Student Leadership Mission to Israel was once again a success as several dozen students from New York University, Binghamton University, University of Maryland, Rutgers University, University of California-Irvine, Brandeis University, University of Illinois and other schools accompanied ZOA Campus Coordinators Sharona Whisler and Jason Holtzman across the Land of Israel for two weeks in December 2010-January 2011.

mission’s goal was to show students the Jewish people’s deep connection to the Land of Israel, Theand help them understand the threats that Israel faces from its enemies. Students heard from influential and expert speakers such as MKs Danny Danon and Aryeh Eldad, Ambassador Dore Gold at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, and Vice Prime Minister Moshe “Boogie” Ya’alon who gave an off-the-record briefing about security issues in Israel and the demonization that the country has been facing from abroad. The group arrived in Jerusalem only a day before Shabbat so students were able to experience the first Friday night of the trip at the Kotel (Western Wall) for Shabbat prayers. According to Baruch Lane of Queens College, NY, “There was a magnetic pull to the wall on Friday night. . . . It was the first striking feeling I had and it made me realize why I came to Is- rael and what I’m fighting for … Jerusalem cannot be divided again, it is everything.” The group explored Jerusalem from both Ammunition Hill and the Old City. On their tours, students saw both modern and historical Jerusalem, and at Ammunition Hill, they viewed a multimedia presentation showing what a di- vided Jerusalem looked like and how it was re-united in the 1967 Six Day War. We also took a tour of the Knesset and sat outside of the Plenum, where Deputy Speaker of the Knesset, Danny Danon, announced the arrival of the ZOA group on the Knesset floor, a welcome that was recorded for permanent transcript. After spending almost a week in Jerusalem, we headed off for the Shomron. First, we visited the winery in Psagot. Then ZOA Student Leadership Mission to Israel with David we continued north to Ariel, where we toured the city with Wilder in front of M'arat Hamachpela (Cave of the Avi Zimmerman, the director of American Friends of Ariel. Patriarchs), Hebron Additionally, we visited the new cultural arts center, which

ZOA REPORT 20 SPRING 2011 21 ZOA REPORT STUDENT LEADERSHIP MISSION TO ISRAEL has been a recent boycott students as the toys were target by left-wing groups presented. In the evening, in Israel. We helped to sup- the group heard from Anita port the local economy by Tucker in Ein Tzurim. Mrs. purchasing lunch at different Tucker shared her experi- restaurants in Ariel while ence as one of Gush Katif’s seeing the city. Our last stop first residents and farmers. that day in the Shomron She lived there for more was at Elon Moreh, where than 30 years and saw the students saw the beautiful desert bloom into a vibrant views and learned about Jewish home for herself and how deeply rooted Jewish 10,000 other residents be- history is in the area. fore being forced to leave. Students were also ex- ZOA Student Leadership Mission to Israel at the Has After hearing from Mrs. posed to the many chal- Promenade, Jerusalem Tucker, Rivkah Ginat of the lenges that Israel currently University of Illinois-Chica- faces. A powerful part of go, commented, “Her [Mrs. the mission was a visit to 2005 during Israel’s “disen- While kids are trying to live, Tucker’s] faith and optimism the Western Negev, the site gagement” from Gaza. The the terrorists are trying to were very inspiring, espe- of the rocket-battered city hilltop view helped students disturb their lives as much cially after having everything of Sderot. In Sderot, the appreciate the short dis- as possible.” ripped away.” students were given a pri- tance the rockets from Gaza Not far from Sderot are The group returned to vate tour of the city and saw have to travel before landing Nitzan and Kibbutz Ein Tzu- Judea and Samaria to spend hundreds of rockets on dis- and exploding in Sderot and rim where refugees from their second Shabbat in the play at the town’s police sta- other nearby Israeli com- the Gush Katif expulsion beautiful community of Efrat. tion. The tour also included munities. The tour had a are currently living. While Students stayed with host a look-out from a hill into huge impact on many stu- in Nitzan, the students de- families who were quite wel- Gaza. The students could dents. Hallie Silvermetz of livered seven full duffle bags coming. They also met and see where some of Gaza’s the University of Maryland, of toys to the children in spoke with local residents Jewish communities once stated, “It was a clash of re- the community. It was amaz- of the town, who shared in- flourished before they were alities to see a playground ing to see the reactions of formation about their lives evacuated and destroyed in next to a bomb shelter. . . . both the children and the and thoughts regarding the

University of Illinois student Daniel Cohen on a ZOA students looking at Qassam rockets fired by reinforced concrete jungle gym which also serves as a Arab terrorists from Gaza into Sderot, Israel shelter from rockets in Sderot

ZOA REPORT 22 SPRING 2011 23 ZOA REPORT STUDENT LEADERSHIP MISSION TO ISRAEL

conflict. Before leaving Efrat the Cave of the Patriarchs on Saturday night, students in Hebron because we were had the privilege of hearing privileged to stand beside from local Efrat resident, the graves of our forefa- Colonel Benzi Gruber, who thers to whom this land was gave a multimedia presen- promised." tation on “Ethics in the On the final day in Is- Field.” The presentation rael, the students went on debunked claims made in a tour with the Keep Jeru- the Goldstone Report and salem organization, explor- showed the crises faced by ing northeastern Jerusalem IDF soldiers when fight- neighborhoods which have ing against terror groups, been deemed “controver- such as Hamas. When the sial,” and seeing the close presentation ended many proximity between Arab students jumped at the and Jewish neighborhoods chance to ask questions of on this side of town. Among Colonel Gruber. the neighborhoods visited In Hebron, the students were Pisgat Ze’ev, Atarot, Kibbutz Malkia farmer and security chief, Etan shows took a tour with David CUNY Queens student Avi Davidov a Qassam rocket Neve Yaakov, and Sheikh that was fired by Hezbollah terrorists and exploded Wilder, the English spokes- Jarrah (Shimon Ha-Tzad- in the kibbutz during the Second Lebanon War person for the community. dik). It was eye-opening for Mr. Wilder started the tour students to see the neigh- by showing remains of the borhoods that have been ancient walls and remnants making headlines over the propaganda. As Daniel Co- leaders.” The ZOA Cam- of homes at Tel Hebron. The past year. According to hen, from the University of pus Department will con- tour continued to the graves Avi Davidov from Queens Illinois said, “ZOA provides tinue working with these of biblical figures Jesse and College, “Seeing Judea and a core response to many students on their campus- Ruth, and also brought us to Samaria was a great expe- issues that pro-Israel activ- es to help them and their the Hadassah House muse- rience that showed the his- ists face on campus and a fellow students strongly um, containing information torical significance that the foundation for their own and effectively advocate about ancient Jewish history Land of Israel has to the development as Zionist for Israel. in the town, and about the Jewish people. Although 1929 massacre in Hebron, the areas are considered which took the lives of 67 to be ‘controversial‘ on innocent Jews. The tour of campus, I can now say that Hebron ended at the second I have been there and will most holy place for the Jew- show my campus at large ish People, the Cave of the that they are not an ob- Patriarchs, which is where stacle to peace.” Jewish patriarchs and matri- The ZOA 2010-2011 archs, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Student Leadership Mis- Sarah, Rivkah and Leah, are sion was a great success! buried. Josh Twito of CUNY The students who had the Staten Island, NY, shared his incredible opportunity to reaction, saying, "Although participate are more con- ZOA Student Leadership Mission to Israel standing many feel most connected fident now to tackle the before a menorah made of Qassam rockets at the Hesder Yeshiva in Sderot at the Kotel, my connection issues on their campuses to this land was strongest at and fight against anti-Israel

ZOA REPORT 22 SPRING 2011 23 ZOA REPORT ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA ZOA PEOPLE

Carl Freyer Sylvia Freyer

September, a stalwart of Zionism and major ZOA supporter, Carl (Yosef) Freyer, passed Lastaway at the age of 90 while en route to Israel aboard an El Al flight. In the words of Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, Director of the National Jewish Outreach Program (NJOP), Carl Freyer was a “Lion of Judah,” an “irreplaceable and irrepressible Jew.” Together with his wife Sylvia, another stalwart of American Zionism, Carl, who was also a ZOA Board Member, was an im- mensely dedicated supporter of the causes of Zionism and Jewish education. Carl was raised in the staunchly Jewish environs of Brooklyn while Sylvia grew up in the solidly Jewish milieu of the Bronx. In early 1994, Carl heard Mort Klein deliver the keynote speech at an Emunah Dinner in New York City. Carl was excited to learn that ZOA had similar views to his own. Both understood the dangers of concluding agreements with Yasser Arafat and the Oslo peace process. Carl was so impressed with the principled campaign of the ZOA to enlighten American Jewish and wider public opinion as to the dangers of the Oslo accords that, without even having been introduced to Klein, he started to become a substantial donor to the ZOA. One of the first things Carl undertook after the start of the Oslo process was to organize and fund the Israel Day Concert in New York City’s Central Park. The Israel Day Concerts can be accurately described as the first regular Jewish communal event in the history of Central Park. Ariel Sharon attended the first of the concerts and each year since, the concert has attracted at least 10,000 people. Topical themes – missing MIAs like Ron Arad, kidnapped soldiers like Gilad Shalit, the continuing imprison- ment of Jonathan Pollard – were constantly devised by Carl for each concert and were resoundingly successful. The Israel Day Concert is one of the very few types of Jewish communal activities that reach this level of involvement. It has become a major rallying point for opposition to the concessionary and failed Oslo policies and a fixture on the New York cultural scene. Within Israel, the Freyers have given unstinting support to the Jewish communities of Judea and Samaria, including fund- ing the costs of transporting community members to demon- strate and express concern about one-sided, Israeli conces- sions, such as the Gaza withdrawal. They have also faithfully supported Arutz Sheva (Israel National News) and the city of Beth El. The uprooting of the Gaza communities was an especially harsh blow for them. The Freyers also have supported a range of other Zionist and Jewish causes. Carl had a particular passion for bringing alienated Jews back to Jewish life and for looking further afield to retrieve the far-flung lost tribes. It was for this purpose that the Freyers established a special school program for chil- dren with little or no Jewish educational background, the Jew- ish Youth Encounter Program (JYEP). The Freyers have also been faithful, strong supporters of Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald and his extraordinarily successful National Jewish Outreach Carl Freyer and Sylvia Freyer at last year's Program (NJOP). Commenced in 1987, NJOP today, thanks ZOA Herzl-Brandeis Award Dinner to the Freyers’ unswerving support, is educating Jews in over

continued on page 30

ZOA REPORT 24 SPRING 2011 25 ZOA REPORT ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA ZOA ANALYSIS

Wikileaks Shows Obama • The King of Bahrain told the U.S. the Iranian nuclear pro- gram “must be stopped.” Later he added, “The danger of Intentionally Misled Israel letting it go on is greater than the danger of stopping it.” When Claiming Israeli • The United Arab Emirates defense chief Crown Prince Mohammed Bin-Zayed of Abu Dhabi told U.S. General Concessions Needed for Arabs John Abizaid the U.S. needs to take action against Iran, “this year or next...Ahmadinejad is Hitler.” to Confront Iran • Egypt’s then-President Hosni Mubarak said the Iranians are “big fat liars.” • Qatar’s Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, “had told the Israelis in October 2006 that he believed Iran was deter- mined to develop a nuclear bomb no matter the cost.” Is- We now know that President Barack Hussein raeli diplomats told their U.S. counterparts “Hamad com- Obama apparently intentionally misled Israel when demand- plained at the time that he felt the U.S. would not listen to ing that Israel must make substantial one-sided concessions him and tended to believe what it heard from Iran.” to the Palestinian Authority in order to gain support from Jerusalem Post editor David Horowitz wrote [12-1-10], the Arab nations to stop Iran from developing nuclear weap- “Obama was not the prisoner of a misconception, convinced ons. in absolute good faith that if he could deliver Israeli conces- This above-stated fact is screaming from the pages of the sions at the negotiating table he might stand a greater chance recently released 250,000 diplomatic cables by the whistle- of getting the Arabs on board for the battle with the mullahs. blowing organization, Wikileaks. These leaked documents re- No, he had the diplomatic cables to prove that the Israeli- veal that the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States are Palestinian conflict was no obstacle to wide Arab backing, insistent on stopping Iran’s nuclear program above any other indeed wide Arab entreaties, for the toughest possible mea- consideration, including the Israel-Palestinian Arab situation. sures against Iran, emphatically including military action… These diplomatic cables also prove that President Obama Obama had internalized full well that he didn’t actually need and Secretary of State Clinton knew from the outset that the cover of a substantive Israeli-Palestinian peace process there was no link between the Israel-Palestinian Arab conflict to generate Arab support for tackling Iran’s nuclear program, and obtaining Arab support for the toughest possible sanc- but chose to pressure Israel just the same, as a tactic, be- tions and even military action against Iran. cause he felt Israel was not being sufficiently forthcoming on It is deeply troubling to go back and read President Obama’s the Palestinian front… It is not fair to indicate to the Israeli public statement to Israel about Iran when he said, “If there is prime minister, when it’s patently untrue, that he ought to put a linkage between Iran and the Israeli-Palestinian peace pro- aside some of his skepticism and take risks for peace because cess, I personally believe it actually runs the other way. To the otherwise Israel might impede the U.S.’s capacity to thwart extent that we can make peace with the Palestinians – be- the genocidal enemy, Iran.” tween the Palestinians and the Israelis – then I actually think it Whatever the wider repercussions of the WikiLeaks cable strengthens our hand in the international community in deal- deluge, it has exposed the hypocrisy of those Arab leaders ing with a potential Iranian threat.” who publicly blame Israel for their woes while privately plead- Obama and Clinton repeatedly insisted that it is necessary ing for military measures to thwart their true enemy, Iran. And to first deal with the Palestinian issue as the way to stop Iran. it has exposed the incompetence, too, or malice, of the ana- This never made sense – now we see that it also contradicted lysts who took those Arab leaders’ public utterances at face the specific information Obama received from his own U.S. value, and utilized them in a bid to ratchet up pressure on, and officials. to besmirch, Israel. Now we know that President Obama was repeatedly urged One of the many deeper questions people should be by many Arab leaders to destroy the Iranian nuclear program asking of President Obama is, despite the clear evidence avail- they feared – that was their primary concern and priority, not able to him, why did he recklessly waste time and resources strengthening Abbas and the PA and pressuring Israel. pretending that there is some semblance of a diplomatic “link” • Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah didn’t mention the Palestin- between the “peace process” and the Iranian nuclear threat? ians but pleaded with Obama to “cut off the head of the We can see from these leaks that the Obama adminis- [Iranian] snake.” tration has been cynically using the Iranian nuclear issue as

ZOA REPORT 24 SPRING 2011 25 ZOA REPORT ZOA ANALYSIS a tool for extracting concessions from Israel, knowing all the return to living within the borders of the state of Israel. while that such concessions bear no relation whatsoever to No Jew in the world, now or in the future … will have the regional support for confronting Iran. The clear vision of the right to return, to live, or to demand to live in Hebron, Arab states is of the threat that Iran poses to them, and their in East Jerusalem, or anywhere in the Palestinian state … greatest desire is to end that threat. What’s wrong with Taibeh [an Arab city in Israel], for ex- These cables increase the validity of many analysts’ and ample, being an integral part of an Arab Palestinian state? journalists’ views who state that President Obama may be the ... Jaffa [part of Tel Aviv] too” (Interview, Al-Jazeera TV, most hostile president to Israel, ever. November 30, 2007, translation courtesy of Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI)). The Palestinian demand for a Jew-free state is not only Abbas Vows: No Room For obscene and anti-Semitic in itself, but it exposes their re- Jews In Palestinian State jection of Israel as a Jewish state and thus the reason for the absence of peace. They refuse to accept the truth of the Jewish religious, legal and historical connection to Is- rael and thus the right of Jews to have their own state in their biblical homeland. Palestinian Author- ity (PA) president Mahmoud Abbas has reiterated that a future Palestinian state, if established, will be Jew-free, saying, “We Dalia Rabin: My Father, have frankly said, and always will say: If there is an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, we won’t agree Yitzhak Rabin, Might to the presence of one Israeli in it … when a Palestinian state is established, it would have no Israeli presence in it” (Khaled Have Stopped Oslo Abu Toameh, “Abbas vows: No room for Israelis in Palestinian state,” Jerusalem Post, December 25, 2010). Abbas’ Fatah-dominated PA, as well as leading Palestinian figures, including those often mistakenly regarded in the West as moderates, have insisted that a future Palestinian state must Remarks made recently by be judenrein and all Jews currently living in communities in Dalia Rabin, daughter of slain Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Judea and Samaria must be uprooted: Rabin, as well as Mr. Rabin’s last Knesset speech, both indicate • Saeb Erekat, senior Fatah/PA official, former PA foreign that Yitzhak Rabin had serious misgivings about the direction minister: “…nobody should agree to Israeli settlers re- of the Oslo process that he'd launched and that he would maining in the Palestinian [state]” (MEMRI: Saeb Ereqat: have stopped it or at least taken it in a different direction “Over the Years, Israel Has Gradually Withdrawn from from the one taken by subsequent Israeli leaders. Its Positions; Therefore, We Have No Reason to Hurry,” Interviewed in the Israeli daily Yediot Ahronot on Oc- Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), July 13, tober 8, 2010, Dalia Rabin said, “Many people who were 2009). close to father told me that on the eve of the murder • Ahmed Qurei, former PA prime minister and former PA he considered stopping the Oslo process because of the senior negotiator: “There can be no peace with the pres- terror that was running rampant in the streets and that ence of these settlement blocs in the West Bank … the Arafat wasn't delivering the goods. Father after all wasn't settlers are dangerous and … it’s impossible to live with a blind man running forward without thought. I don't rule them … Peace can be achieved only if Israel withdraws to out the possibility that he considered also doing a reverse the last centimeter of the Palestinian territories occupied on our side. After all he was someone for whom the se- in 1967” (Khaled Abu Toameh, “Qurei: No room for Jews curity of the state was sacrosanct. So they say that Oslo in West Bank,” Jerusalem Post, December 13, 2008). brought Arafat and gave them rifles and caused the inti- • Dr. Sari Nusseibeh, the Dean of Al-Quds University, widely fada. But historical processes develop, change and flow. It touted as a Palestinian moderate: “The Israelis now living is impossible to take a person murdered in ‘95 and judge in the territories of the future Palestinian state should him according to what happened in 2000.”

ZOA REPORT 26 SPRING 2011 27 ZOA REPORT ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA ZOA ISRAEL OFFICE Facing A Challenging 2011

Although daily life in Israel iting Jewish residence, and the division of Jerusalem. outwardly appears to be proceeding with little if any disrup- We also are encouraging Knesset members to voice their tion, many Israeli leaders tell us they anticipate a challeng- concern to U.S. congressional counterparts about the in- ing 2011. ZOA Israel continues to press them to articulate terference of USAID, a significant funder of the Geneva Ini- a coherent foreign policy that encompasses the broader tiative, in Israel’s internal political affairs. MKs periodically picture, and to openly expose the truth of Mahmoud Ab- approach us to help them communicate with U.S. legisla- bas and the PA’s anti-Israel, pro-terrorism actions. And we tors. Recent examples include crafting a letter for Deputy emphasize to leadership and the grassroots alike—most of Minister Ayoub Kara to former Ambassador John Bolton whom do not read English language press releases and U.S. and others about Israeli withdrawal from a section of Ga- media reports—the one essential message that bears re- jhar, on Israel’s northern border; and facilitating a growing peating: The overwhelming majority of Congress and the movement to affirm Jerusalem’s Jewish sovereignty. American public stand solidly behind Israel even if it has to make hard decisions that are contrary to U.S. administra- Public Diplomacy: The Israel Office is promoting a tion expectations. more vigorous hasbara campaign to make Israel’s case abroad, as assaults on its legitimacy persist and widen. We Tackling New And continue to argue that firm and consistent pronounce- ments about Israel’s long term security needs and national Continuing Themes rights are necessary, and that Israel must convey that Iran Watchful of the changing political landscape while look- is a huge danger that threatens not only Israel, but Europe ing for new ways to tackle ongoing themes, ZOA Israel is and the United States as well. concentrating its efforts in five key areas: Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Knesset Advocacy: While citing the latest examples of the Ministry of Hasbara Palestinian intransigence and incitement, we also are under- and Diaspora Affairs and scoring repeated attempts by Palestinian Authority (PA) of- other Israel advocacy or- ficials to undermine Israel by spreading lies such as Defense ganizations are all benefit- Forces “atrocities” stories; pushing anti-Israel resolutions at ing from our input. Ismail the UN; actively lobbying the Organization for Economic Khaldi, Foreign Minister Cooperation and Development against Israel; instigating Avigdor Lieberman’s policy boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) against Israel; and advisor and the highest misrepresenting Israeli intentions with the U.S. administra- ranking Bedouin diplomat,

tion and the European Union. Our office is beginning to who served as deputy BANNER PHOTO CREDIT OF STA M PS: T look at the stealth Arabization of Jewish Israel, with land consul general in San Fran- grabs in the Galilee and Negev, especially. cisco, supports our efforts We continue to bolster the work of Knesset mem- to upgrade Israel’s public bers asking Israeli leadership to explicitly state the non- Jeff Daube messaging. Director, ZOA Israel negotiable red lines; to just say “No,” for example, to PA With ZOA Israel’s urg-

unilateralism, indefensible borders, foreign interventions in ing, the MFA brought to- a kkk Israel’s security, “right of return” claims, racist proposals lim- gether the Israel represen-

ZOA REPORT 26 SPRING 2011 27 ZOA REPORT ZOA ISRAEL OFFICE tatives of various foreign has opened dialogue with ducted an off-site meeting is nothing less than anti- organizations to kick off a consulate professionals and instead. Jewish discrimination: 90% coordination of activities. achieved some consider- of the homes in Shiloach – The full day seminar cov- ation for our perspective. United Jerusalem: The 20,000 Arab-occupied ille- ered many topics, including The consulate has admitted Palestinians understand gal structures, according to BDS, Israel branding, and to us that its image among that denying Israel’s claim the Jerusalem Municipality perceptions about what American Israelis needs im- to Jerusalem, especially its – remain unchallenged. constitutes a war crime. provement. biblical and historical roots, Already there has been Most recently, the Is- is an effective strategy for Campus Outreach: follow-up, and other meet- rael Office raised a red undermining national spirit ZOA Israel is working with ings are anticipated. flag regarding consulate and determination. Sev- Israel Academia Monitor, At the Knesset, the Is- collusion with Peace Now eral organizations that are Im Tirzu and campus activ- rael Office has been en- to surreptitiously photo- hostile to Israel, and well- ists to combat anti-Israel couraging articulate Eng- graph Shomron commu- funded by European gov- rhetoric. Professor Martin lish-speaking national camp nities. After objecting and ernments and the likes of Sherman of Tel Aviv Univer- MKs to present Israel’s requesting equal time for the New Israel Fund, skill- sity has been particularly core positions on Capitol other information pro- fully contribute to this Pal- helpful as we continue to Hill. With his appointment viders, we obtained the estinian goal of attenuated monitor Israeli campuses to chair the Absorption, Im- consulate’s consent to Jewish attachment. ZOA Is- where Israeli and visit- migration and Diaspora Af- organize briefings on Jew- rael therefore has invested ing American students are fairs Committee, MK Danny ish and Arab life in Judea many hours helping pro-Is- being influenced by anti- Danon, a close friend of and Samaria for consulate rael organizations to coun- Zionist propaganda. In re- ZOA, invited us to hearings staff, this time presented terbalance such efforts in sponse to the upcoming on the public diplomacy cri- by a reputed national kind; for example, “Keep establishment of J Street U sis where we reiterated our camp NGO. Jerusalem-Im Eshkachech,” in Jerusalem, ZOA Israel is suggestions for a concerted ZOA Israel also sent a a unified Jerusalem project bringing interested parties new hasbara approach. Steve letter to the consul gen- that provides on-site brief- together to minimize their Goldberg, Vice Chairman of eral, copied to Secretary ings along the eastern Jeru- impact. the ZOA’s Board of Direc- of State Hillary Clinton salem periphery for Israeli In addition, the Israel tors, spoke at these hearings and others, regarding the and foreign visitors, opin- Office regularly communi- with great passion in favor of ongoing abuse of mourners ion-makers and leadership. cates with associates in the Israeli resolve—American and gravesites on the Mount Beit Yonatan (named for U.S. to ensure that Israeli Jewish leadership cannot of Olives—highlighting the Jonathan Pollard) on the officials make savvy choices confidently implement its fact that so many of the site of a pre-State Yemenite about speaker venues and supporting role otherwise. deceased and visitors are village in the eastern Jerusa- sponsors. Recently, we took Americans. We asked con- lem neighborhood of Shilo- this up with MFA staff and U.S. Jerusalem Consul- sulate officials to speak out ach/Silwan is home to a re- Hasbara/Diaspora Affairs ate: Catalyzed by the Sama- against these depredations ligious study hall and seven Minister Yuli Edelstein, con- ria Regional Council’s re- and to also demand con- Jewish families who claim to cerning an event sponsored quest for our involvement, demnation from Arab lead- have purchased the proper- by the University of Cali- ZOA Israel has appealed ership. In a follow-up meet- ty lawfully. At the request of fornia, Irvine’s Olive Tree to the U.S. Consulate in Je- ing, the consulate’s political the Jerusalem Reclamation Initiative—whose goal, we rusalem for U.S. funding of and religious officers agreed Project, the ZOA Israel Of- believe, was to exploit the coexistence initiatives. The to investigate and attend an fice agreed to assist efforts presence of an Israeli official Consulate is operating as on-site briefing that we- ar to help Jerusalem Mayor in order to disguise an anti- the de facto U.S. embassy ranged for them. However, Nir Barkat resist the pres- Israel agenda. for the PA, reporting on after the consulate insisted sure, including from certain Thanks to the teamwork the affairs of Judea, Samaria on several unreasonable Members of Congress, to of ZOA Israel, the ZOA’s and Jerusalem. ZOA Israel preconditions, we con- seal the residence. This Campus Department and

ZOA REPORT 28 SPRING 2011 29 ZOA REPORT ZOA ISRAEL OFFICE

Keshet Tours, ZOA’s 2010 cessions, and promoting a ish their influence. Recent Carmel Fire Aftermath: student mission to Israel new nationalist vision and examples include Ir Amim’s With embers still smok- was an “amazing experi- course for Israel. “divide Jerusalem” tours, ing, ZOA Israel was on the ence” (student quote), and and community presenta- scene with Deputy Minister included presentations by Construction Freeze: tions by J Street U, the New Ayoub Kara for a survey of Vice Prime Minister Moshe ZOA Israel organized two Israel Fund, the Jerusalem the devastation and a dis- Ya’alon, MKs Danny Danon busloads of participants, in- Institute for Israel Studies, cussion of its impact on the and Arieh Eldad, Ambas- cluding reporters and pho- the Truman Institute and loyal Druze communities of sador Dore Gold, World tographers, for a Shomron the Israel-Palestine Center Usifiyeh and Dalyat al Car- Jewish Congress Secretary tour and mass rally in Reva- for Research and Informa- mel. The following week, General Dan Diker, Pales- va to mark the end of the tion. We also played an im- ZOA Israel took the lead tinian Media Watch's Itamar freeze. We continue to op- portant role in the Knesset and, with the International Marcus, and the Jerusalem pose extending the freeze in call to investigate radical lo- Young Israel Movement, or- Post's Khaled Abu Toameh, any form, and we regularly cal organizations (B’tselem, ganized an intensive briefing among others. ZOA Cam- point to unauthorized PA Machsom Watch, Breaking in the north for 18 leaders pus Coordinators Sharona construction, which forges the Silence, Peace Now, representing various orga- Whisler and Jason Holtzman ahead unimpeded while the Adallah and others) whose nizations concerning the led the outstanding contin- international community anti-Israel activities are il- area’s rehabilitation needs. gent of several dozen stu- focuses single-mindedly on legitimately funded by non- dents through a jam-packed Israel. Israeli sources. Media itinerary, which included eastern Jerusalem, Judea, Sa- Mt. of Olives Cemetery: Twinning: The Israel Of- Connections maria, the Jordan Valley and With the deteriorating fice made the connection • Jeff Daube’s “Deep the Golan approached from situation on the Mount of between ZOA’s Philadel- Freeze Now or Mideast a perspective rarely seen by Olives, the Israel Office is phia chapter and officials of Meltdown Later" was other visiting students. petitioning Israeli leadership the Shomron city of Ariel. published by the Jerusa- to provide security cameras, Planning has begun for link- lem Post and picked up in Additional fencing and adequate police ing schools in the two com- the blogosphere. protection, and to arrest the munities and mentoring • Interviewed by Israel Highlights offending parties. MK Danon aliyah-oriented families. In Broadcasting Authority’s Palestinian State Al- has agreed to support this addition, having introduced (IBA) Elie Wohlgerlanter ternatives: After a brief effort. This is not just about the D.C. chapter to the dy- about U.S. administration lull, the conversation about a cemetery disgrace: Besides namic new community of pressure to extend the alternatives to Palestinian emphasizing the risk inher- Maskiot in the Jordan Valley, construction freeze. statehood and the usual ent in Palestinian control of we are discussing ways for • Interviewed and quoted two-state formula has start- Jewish holy sites, our objec- ZOA to actively assist in its by the Jerusalem Post’s Gil ed to regain momentum. To tive is to remind Israelis and growth. Hoffman about the Yesha widen the discussion, ZOA allied Americans not to send Council campaign to re- Israel is actively developing a message of indifference as Christian Ties: ZOA Is- move Obama pressure a go-to network comprised our adversaries meantime rael continues to develop to continue the freeze of like-minded leaders, es- make claims of their own. its relationship with the just before its end. pecially the fourteen MKs International Christian Em- • Provided running com- who have joined the Land Opposition Activities: bassy in Jerusalem. During mentary for international of Israel lobby, and activist ZOA Israel regularly at- their Feast of the Taber- reporters and photogra- citizen groups; in particular tends the programs of nacles celebration, we led phers on a ZOA Israel- Mattot Arim and Motza, are anti-Israel NGOs in order a tour of Christian Zion- led Shomron trip, includ- two grassroots movements to challenge them where ist visitors throughout the ing Matthew Kalman of aiming to prevent further appropriate, develop an ef- Shomron which they found the San Francisco Chron- withdrawals and risky con- fective response and dimin- instructive and meaningful. icle, Nicolas Pelham of

ZOA REPORT 28 SPRING 2011 29 ZOA REPORT ZOA ISRAEL OFFICE

The Economist, and Virve article following the U.S. Kahkonen of Helsingen Consulate’s use of Peace SAVE THE DATE Sanomat, Scandinavia’s Now’s Settlement Watch ZOA MISSION TO WASHINGTON largest newspaper. to spy on the Shomron • Arranged IBA coverage communities. for a ZOA/Young Israel • Helped Gloria Green- leadership mission in field, producer of The northern Israel after the Case for Israel, to obtain fire. interviews for her new • Interviewed by news film about assaults on Is- analyst Carrie Bristol of rael's legitimacy. Network Global News on • Introduced Jerusalem Post a range of political sub- political and Knesset re- jects, especially how Is- porters, Gil Hoffman and Thursday, May 12, 2011 rael relates to the Middle Rebecca Stoil respective- East and the international ly, to the Keep Jerusalem GIVE ONE DAY OF YOUR LIFE FOR ISRAEL community. Mentioned in project and its briefing Join the Zionist Organization of America Mission on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. The Jewish Standard and tours around eastern Je- Your voice matters – make sure it is heard pictured in Mishpacha rusalem. magazine in connection • Submitted several pub- Registration, including kosher meals – ZOA with our Mt. of Olives lished letters to the Jeru- subsidized cost of only $100! cemetery campaign. salem Post on a range of ••SAVE! Register by March 31 • Interviewed and quoted security related subjects. and pay only $75! ••Special Student and Young by Yisrael Hayom colum- • Ongoing commentary Professional Discounts Available nist Nadav Shragai re- and information on the garding Israel Office en- issues of the day to help For Information About Registering, Please Call gagement with the U.S. several Israeli columnists (212) 481-1500, and speak with Felice Capustin (ext. Jerusalem Consulate. and bloggers, and op-ed 229) • Quoted in Maariv/NRG and letter writers.

ZOA PEOPLE

continued from page 24 had to go and get our people “Even though they were only their daughters, their sons- back to Judaism, both those two individuals, they con- in-law, Rabbi Yehuda Susman 39 countries. In 2000, NJOP lost from the tribe and also stituted a virtual army that and Adam Ruskin, and twelve awarded the Freyers its Spe- Jews who are lost as part of served as a powerful bulwark grandchildren live in Israel. cial Service Award in recog- the tribe … Carl Freyer was in defense of the State of Is- Sylvia says of Mort nition of the achievements of the epitome of Zionism. He rael.” Joe Frager describes Klein, “He is the most im- JYEP. In 2010, NJOP renamed couldn’t do more to help the Sylvia as “the practical per- portant man in America – its Young Leadership Award people and land of Israel; he son – the one who made it if not for Mort and Carl, I the Carl & Sylvia Freyer spent the last 20 years doing all happen.” don’t know where the Jew- Young Leadership Award. the heavy lifting that others When their grown daugh- ish people would be. They As Joe Frager, who were afraid to do, when Jew- ters, Louisa and Maura, went worked hand-in-hand. The worked with Carl and Sylvia ish organizations had abdi- to study in Israel, the Freyers ZOA is different from the on so many causes, observes, cated responsibility.” became regular visitors to other Jewish organizations. “Carl had great love for Is- Rabbi Buchwald praised the country and remained so It has worked always to de- rael and Jews, he thought we Carl and Sylvia's teamwork, for over thirty years. Today, fend Zionism.”

ZOA REPORT 30 SPRING 2011 31 ZOA REPORT ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA ZOA AROUND THE COUNTRY

ZOA This year’s annual Awards event took place at Pittsburgh Congregation Beth Shalom. Over 200 people, in- cluding ZOA National President Morton A. Klein, at- District tended the Tribute Dinner honoring three deserving Pittsburghers: Dr. Cyril H. Wecht, Marion Taube and Among the most exciting programs offered by the ZOA- Harold F. Marcus. Pittsburgh District this past year was its Ministers Delegation Marian Ungar Davis, a former president of the ZOA- to Israel, especially designed for non-Jewish clergy to travel Pittsburgh District and a former national board member, to Israel, meet with Israeli citizens and political leaders, learn presented Marion Taube with the ZOA Natalie E. Novick the truth about the Arab-Israeli conflict, and visit Israel's bor- Community Leadership Award. This award is given to the ders. Ten ministers from Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylva- individual who best represents the spirit of community lead- nia spent a week in Israel, enjoying a full itinerary organized ership in Jewish and humanitarian causes. Harold F. Marcus by the ZOA. They traveled to the Golan Heights, learning received the ZOA Israel Service Award. It is given to those about security and water issues. They lunched with a family individuals with strong leadership, ethics and results-driven at their home in Nimrod Village, and visited Kibbutz Malkiya, qualities, who have a passion for the Jewish homeland. planting a Kiwi tree and meeting with Israeli soldiers guard- The highlight of the evening was the presentation of ing Israel’s border with Lebanon. They visited the embattled ZOA's Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Cyril H. Wecht. A town of Sderot, which has endured thousands of missiles "celebrity roast" of Dr. Wecht replaced the traditional tribute. fired from Gaza. And they stopped in Ma’ale Adumim for a Mort Klein roasted not only the honoree, but also the other home hospitality program with Ethiopian Jewish immigrants. "roasters" as well, showing he may have a future as a standup The ZOA group had private meetings with a Roman comic. The night was filled with laughter and celebration. Catholic priest in Nazareth; Ayoob Kara, a Druze Knesset Looking forward, the Pittsburgh District intends to re- member; David Parsons of the International Christian Em- vive the ZOA Intolerance Program, which includes class- bassy in Jerusalem; Itamar Marcus of Palestinian Media Watch; room instruction and reading materials for students. The and Efrat’s Senior Rabbi Shlomo Riskin. The ministers vis- program culminates with a trip to the United States Ho- ited Jewish, Christian and Muslim religious sites, and toured locaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. During its Hadassah Hospital. Everyone in the delegation described initial run from 1999 to 2005, 3506 students from the City the trip as extraordinary and transformative. The ministers of Pittsburgh Public Schools and Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese said that the Israel they saw was so different from the Israel Schools participated, along with 536 teachers, parents and portrayed in the media. They returned to the United States ZOA members who chaperoned the trip. enlightened and supportive of Israel and its people. ZOA Philadelphia District

The Greater Philadelphia District hosted ZOA campus coordinators Sharona Whisler and David Kadosh as guest speakers at our fall quarterly meeting. Sharona and David explained the challenges facing young supporters of Israel at universities today, and the substantial steps ZOA is taking to make a difference. The audience was impressed by what our organization is doing on the campuses. Pittsburgh Ministers Delegation in Jerusalem. At left Our upcoming winter meeting will feature guest speaker end of the banner is Stuart Pavilack, Executive Director Erick Stakelbeck, who covers terrorism and the Middle East of ZOA's Pittsburgh office. Right end of the banner: Jeff for the Christian Broadcasting Network. Daube, Executive Director of ZOA Israel. Philadelphia ZOA is once again co-sponsoring Aish HaTo- rah’s annual Israel event. This year, the event will premiere

ZOA REPORT 30 SPRING 2011 31 ZOA REPORT ZOA AROUND THE COUNTRY the documentary Iranium, which addresses Iran’s nuclear am- tion of Jewish students on campus. The forum received ex- bitions and the threat to the West. The event will also fea- cellent coverage in the Detroit News and the Detroit Jewish ture a talk by former CIA director James Woolsey. News, both before and after Susan Tuchman’s presentation Philadelphia is planning a gala to honor pro-Israel talk and Kenneth Marcus’ lecture. Susan also made a presen- radio host Dom Giordano. We will present him with a lo- tation to a group of high school students at the Frankel cal version of the Ben Hecht Journalism Award. Separately, Jewish Academy. we are planning an event to introduce people to the wines In October, the ZOA-Michigan region helped organize and cheeses of Israel as part of our continuing “Buy Israel” and co-sponsored an election forum with U.S. Represen- project. tative Gary Peters and challenger Andrew “Rocky” Rac- Philadelphia ZOA leaders and members continue to have zkowski. There was a turnout of 350 people and Israel- articles and letters published in local and national newspa- related issues dominated the discussion. pers, as well as in important Internet journals. On November 10th, the ZOA-Michigan region spon- Philadelphia ZOA has started its twinning project with sored the book, Balfour Declaration- The Origins of the Arab- the city of Ariel. We arranged meetings between Ariel repre- Israeli Conflict by Jonathan Schneer, at the Detroit Jewish sentative Avi Zimmerman and prominent congregation rab- book fair. bis who are also members of our board, as well as educators ZOA members have been active letter-writers to both from several area Jewish day schools. We hope to have this the local and national media on issues of relevance to Is- project operating this year with programs to introduce the rael and the community. In particular, we commented on two communities to one another. the withdrawal of the Helen Thomas award at Wayne State University based on Thomas’ anti-Semitic statements. ZOA Our major fundraiser of the year — the 77th Annual Balfour Celebration, at which we honored Ophelia and Michigan Leonard Herman with the Justice Louis D. Brandeis Award Region — was a great success. Leonard is a past president of the ZOA-Michigan region. Entertainment for the evening was provided by three of our outstanding local cantors, Meir In the fall, the ZOA-Michigan region opened Finklestein, Daniel Gross and Michael Smolash, who sang its two-part, Special Forum on Campus Anti- a selection of Hebrew and Yiddish melodies. Semitism, Harassment, Intimidation, and Dis- crimination, with some 200 people attending each forum session. Kenneth L. Marcus, Director of the ZOA Initiative on Anti-Semitism at the Institute for Jewish & Community Research, and the former head of the Western U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, Region opened the forum in October. Mr. Marcus’ lecture was based on his recent essay, “A Blind Eye to Campus Anti-Semitism” (Commentary, September 2010) and Dr. Shelley Ventura-Cohen, Executive Director of his research for his recent book, Jewish Identity and ZOA’s Western Region, has had a busy few months. She Civil Rights in America. brought in an impressive array of distinguished pro-Israel In December, our own Susan Tuchman, Esq., Director speakers who spoke to ZOA and the greater Los Ange- of the ZOA’s Center for Law and Justice, was the keynote les community. speaker at our second forum session. The forum featured They included: Deputy Speaker of the Israeli Knesset, a panel of deans and senior officials from several state Danny Danon; Member of Knesset, Tzipi Hotovely; Israeli public universities with significant Jewish enrollment and Consul General (West Coast), Jacob Dayan; Member of Jewish alumni: Michigan State University, Oakland Univer- Knesset, General Uzi Dayan; Anita Tucker, former resident sity, University of Michigan, and Wayne State University. A of Jewish neighborhoods in Gaza; Deputy Director of the number of parents and current and former students domi- Simon Wiesenthal Center, Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Profes- nated the one-hour question-and-answer session with the sor Abraham Sion, Ariel University. university representatives, raising examples of intimida- Mort Klein also gave several speeches in L.A.

ZOA REPORT 32 SPRING 2011 33 ZOA REPORT AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH MORTON KLEIN

considered an American Representatives’ sponsor

PHOTO CREDIT: m ort ku ff priority interest by of 2007’s Iran divestment members of her party. legislation, among many other important pro- Interview with Israel accomplishments. South Florida He expressed his strong Sun-Sentinel support for ZOA’s policy positions and advocacy. Rep. M o r t K l e i n w a s Hasner is expected to be interviewed by the South the Republican candidate Florida Sun-Sentinel for the U.S. Senate. for a feature article about ZOA’s successful ZOA event with efforts to protect Jewish Southwest Florida students on campus from Chapter in Naples harassment, intimidation and discrimination under Mort Klein spoke to Title VI of the Civil Rights ZOA’s new Southwest Act. The article was very Florida Chapter in Naples, complimentary and the local with over 75 people in ZOA office immediately attendance. The Southwest received responses of praise Florida chapter is headed by from the community. Mr. Jerry Sobel, a longtime member of ZOA’s Sarasota Meeting with former chapter. The Southwest U.S. Cong. Allen West (R-FL) delivers remarks at Florida House Florida chapter began ZOA event Majority Leader meeting monthly in October, Adam Hasner 2010 and now consists of over 30 members. continued from page 4 powerful House Foreign Mort Klein and Florida Mort delivered a Affairs Committee, was Region Executive Director powerful lecture focusing one of his most important unable to attend at the Joe Sabag met with former on the Arab war against bridges to the pro-Israel last minute and instead Florida House Majority Israel, and made terrific use and Jewish communities. submitted her remarks Leader Adam Hasner. Prior of a variety of documents, Congressman West’s via video messaging. The to joining ZOA, Joe worked pictures and maps to make remarks can be described Congresswoman is herself for Hasner as a speech his points. The meeting as nothing short of awe one of the strongest pro- writer and policy advisor. received extensive coverage inspiring, and demonstrated Israel leaders in the world, Over the last 8 years Rep. from local media and was a superior understanding of as well as a long-time friend Hasner has proven to be attended by local rabbis the issues that both America of ZOA. She delivered one of the most dynamic and community leaders. and Israel face. His support powerful remarks on state-level pro-Israel Mr. Sobel and the Florida for Israel could not have the uncompromising politicians in the country. Region Office received been expressed in stronger leadership she will offer For a time, Hasner was positive feedback on the terms. In praising his in support and defense the only Jewish Republican event. Several attendees honesty and realism, Mort of Israel in her position. State House Majority have already asked Mort described Congressman As a leading member Leader in the country. to speak at their respective West as “truly rare.” among Congressional Hasner worked closely with synagogues. Congresswoman Ileana Republicans, she also Congressman Ted Deutch Mort also was interviewed Ros-Lehtinen, Chair of the assured that Israel is as the Florida House of on the Joyce Kaufman radio

ZOA REPORT 32 SPRING 2011 33 ZOA REPORT AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH MORTON KLEIN

Mizner. The Club is one of PHOTO CREDIT: m ort ku ff the few remaining which continues to discriminate against Jews. The irony of having a group of Jewish leaders gather to talk about strengthening support for Israel just a few feet away from such a place was palpable. While in South Florida, Mort also had meetings with several other significant present and potential donors. They included Dr. Edward Steinberg in his office in Palm Beach; Mr. Robert Lappin a renowned U.S. Congs. Deutch (D-FL) & West (R-FL) with ZOA President Morton Klein, Dr. philanthropist, at the Jerry Kaufman and Katz Family Members historic Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach; Mr. William Langfan at the Four Seasons Hotel in Palm Beach; and show. The show has an overwhelmingly positive already ZOA donors. Mr. Mr. Ron Kranzer at the estimated average weekly response. One person Greene recently ran as Boca Rio Club in Boca listening audience of 150,000 said “I wish there were 10 a Democrat candidate Raton, among others. listeners. Kaufman said that ZOA’s.” Immediately after for U.S. Senate in Florida. ZOA is the only Jewish Shabbat, the Florida Region Joe Sabag served as a Appearance on organization that she would Office began receiving policy advisor to Greene’s Tuesday Night Live permit on her show. emails and calls expressing campaign, which took many from Jerusalem appreciation for Mort’s strong positions on Israel. TV Show Scholar in sharp and honest appraisal Mort Klein was pleasantly Residence at Boca of President Obama’s impact surprised to find that a Mort Klein appeared Raton Synagogue on U.S.-Israel relations. friend, Rabbi David Baron on the Tuesday Night Live of Los Angeles, California, from Jerusalem television Mort Klein was the Meetings with a long time friend of Mr. program. The program scholar-in-residence at the Present and Greene, had been invited is the #1 rated English Boca Raton Synagogue Potential Donors to lunch as well. language show in Israel. Its (BRS). BRS is one of the They expressed their hosts, Jeremy Gimpel and largest and most prestigious Mort Klein and Joe Sabag appreciation of ZOA’s Ari Abramowitz, both in Orthodox synagogues in were hosted for lunch at realistic approach to their early 30’s, are two of Florida. Mort delivered the oceanfront home of various issues, and offered the most dynamic young a lecture titled “Obama distinguished businessman to get more involved. Zionists of their generation. and Israel.” Mort spoke Jeffrey Greene in Palm Greene lives in a historic The premise of the show is about President Obama’s Beach. Mr. Greene is a estate home next door to to present a positive image long time friendships, his member of the prestigious the Palm Beach Bath and of Zionism and Israel by appointments that affect Forbes 400 list of wealthy Tennis Club, both of which highlighting various aspects Israel, his speeches and his Americans—four other were designed by the of Jewish and Israeli culture. policies. Mort received an members of this list are famed architect, Addison Mort Klein received a

ZOA REPORT 34 SPRING 2011 35 ZOA REPORT AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH MORTON KLEIN

Defender of Israel award lar theme at the Temple's in turn, helped to form his com. PJTV has become along with Joyce Kaufman "Lunch & Learn" where policies towards Israel. It one of the fastest grow- and Walid Shoebat, a former he answered questions for was disturbing, Mort noted, ing and most frequently terrorist turned avid pro- over an hour and a half. how so many people who watched media outlets Israel advocate. Israel’s The third talk was given are well known for having on the internet. Mort also deputy consul general to on Sunday, December 12th anti-Israel positions have did several radio inter- Florida, Mr. Paul Hirschson, in Beverly Hills at the el- been appointed to impor- views when he was in Los spoke, along with Jackie egant and luxurious home tant political posts affecting Angeles. Mason by video. of ZOA's National Board Israel as advisors in Obama’s Mort was interviewed in Member, prominent attor- administration. Mort also TV and Radio front of a studio audience ney and political activist, described in detail Obama’s Appearances of more than 1200 people. Sandra Stein. Sandra gen- strongly hostile speeches Mort’s interview focused erously served a delicious about Israel given in Cairo Mort was a guest on on these three questions: brunch before Mort spoke and before the United Na- over a dozen radio pro- “What is the biggest about the ZOA's history tions. Mort also pointed out grams throughout the misconception that people and its recent goals and ac- that Obama makes serious country, including the BBC in America have about complishments. demands only on Israel but and CBS, discussing the Israel that you would like The fourth event was asks almost nothing of the Egypt situation. He also to set straight?” “What held on December 13th at Palestinian Authority. All of appeared several times on is the most pressing the magnificent home of a this evidence makes it clear TV shows including Fox TV need Israel faces today?” long time and enthusiastic that President Obama is where he debated a law “What can the pro-Israel ZOA supporter in Brent- the most hostile American professor concerning the community in America do wood, California. Mort's president Israel has ever appropriateness of pros- to help?” Mort offered topic that evening was: encountered. ecuting 11 Muslim students responses explaining the “Obama & Israel.” On Tuesday, December who repeatedly disrupted myth of “occupation” and Mort examined every 14th, Mort went to the Israeli Ambassador Michael the need for supporters of aspect of Obama in rela- studios of Pajamas;/ Media Oren's lecture at UC Ir- Israel to be well informed. tion to Israel. He described (PJTV), where he was in- vine. In mid-February, Mort His remarks were received Obama's associations and terviewed by its director, spent a week in Israel meet- with strong applause. collaborations, before he Roger Simon. The inter- ing with many of Israel's top became President, with view can be seen on PJTV. officials and journalists. Speeches in LA Israel-bashers such as Jer- emiah Wright, Louis Farra- Mort Klein also gave khan, Rashid Khalidi, Jesse PHOTO CREDIT: m ort ku ff many speeches in Los An- Jackson, Al Sharpton, and geles, all of which were Ali Abunimah. Recently regularly interspersed with Rashid Khalidi, a professor much appreciated and well- of Middle Eastern Studies received humor, making the at Columbia University, gravity of the topics much with the help of Bill Ay- easier to deal with. ers and his wife, Bernar- The first one took place dine Dohrn, who live near on Saturday, Dec. 11th dur- Obama in Chicago and ing Shabbat services at the with whom he was friends, beautifully adorned Sep- attempted to organize a hardic Temple. Mort's topic second flotilla to Gaza. Joseph Sabag, ZOA Florida Region Executive was: "Israel & the Palestin- Mort showed how these Director, U.S. Cong. Ted Deutch (D-FL) & ZOA President Morton Klein ians-Is Peace Possible?" people influenced Obama’s Mort spoke on a simi- opinions and beliefs which,

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ZOA REPORT 36 SPRING 2011 PB ZOA REPORT