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June 10, 2003
Orthodox Jewish Groups Support Israel’s Defensive
Actions;
Take Exception to White House Criticism
The Orthodox Union, Religious Zionists of America,
Rabbinical Council of America, National Council of Young Israel, AMIT, and
Emunah of America today express our support for the State of Israel’s
recent actions in the defense of its citizens and their security.
Abdul Aziz Rantisi is among the most extremist leaders of the criminal
Hamas organization in Gaza. He has preached and directed murder, sabotage,
terror and incitement for many years. Since the Aqaba summit, Rantisi has
stepped up his murderous activities. The death of six Israelis this
weekend, statements by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, as well as the lack of a
single arrest by Abu Mazen of a terrorist, necessitated an Israeli
response.
As President Bush has repeatedly stated, “terror is terror, regardless of
where in the world it occurs,” and we support Israel’s right to act on
this principle in its self-defense.
We take exception to the White House’s criticism of today’s Israeli action
in the Gaza Strip against the Hamas terrorist leader. Those who would
abort the process initiated by the President must be confronted at every
turn in accordance with the principles set forth by President Bush on June
24, 2002.
We pray for an end to terror and violence in the Middle East and for a
genuine and lasting peace for all the people of the region.
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