By Hana Levi Julian
Likud Knesset opposition leader Binyamin "Bibi" Netanyahu warned
American Jews on Thursday "There is no future for Jews in the
Diaspora." An Islamic terror plot was foiled in Prague.
Netanyahu cited assimilation and intermarriage as the main reasons for
the statement on Thursday. He cautioned American financial supporters
of the IDF Nahal hareidi program to work especially against
assimilation in their communities.
"The only hope for the Jewish people in the Diaspora is Israel," he
said, to the surprise of the leaders and other Diaspora Jews in the
room. Sources close to Netanyahu confirmed he had made the statements,
according to the Jerusalem Post.
Not The First Warning by Israeli Leaders
President Moshe Katsav issued a similar warning six years ago when he
said in September 2000, "The only branch that can ensure the
continuation of the Jewish nation is the Jewish State." Katsav
insisted at the time that Jewish education in the Diaspora was a
short-term solution that would last at most two or three generations.
"We have legitimized living in the Diaspora and have said it does not
bother us," he said, but caused a groundswell of shock and anger when
he maintained that Israeli leaders should no longer justify Jews
remaining in countries outside the State of Israel.
An Ominous New Threat to Diaspora Jews in the Czech Republic
A report by the Yediot Aharonot daily newspaper Friday added an
additional grim reason to the concern for the future of Diaspora
Jewry: the threat of Islamic terrorism.
Reports of an Islamic terrorist plot to kidnap and ultimately murder a
large group of Jews in Prague brought back frightening echoes of the
pogroms of Eastern Europe. The plot, which came to light around Rosh
Hashana, has meant increased police patrols and questions for
residents and tourists in the Czech capital.
The Mlada Fronta Dnesnewspaper quoted unnamed intelligence
sources who said the terrorists would have imprisoned the captives in
the Great Synagogue of Prague while demanding unspecified terms they
knew would not be met.
According to the source, the terrorists planned to blow up the
building, destroying everything and everyone inside. The report did
not include information on whether anyone had been arrested in
connection with the plot, nor did it offer any clue as to the identity
of the conspirators.
'The Feeling Will be Different From Now On"
Rabbi Manis Barash, head of the Chabad House in the Czech Republic's
capital noted, "Unfortunately the Jewish communities in Europe are
used to threats and actions as well. Now it has reached us."
Israeli officials have been monitoring the situation, said a member of
the Jewish community who asked to remain anonymous. A similar
situation recently occurred in Norway as well, noted Foreign Ministry
spokesman Mark Regev.
"We are aware of the existence of extremist groups in the European
continent that wish to harm Israeli representatives and local Jewish
communities," he said, adding that Israeli consulates and embassies
are dealing with the situation. Regev did not specify the security
measures which were in place.
As Czech Jews enter the holiday of Sukkot, (known commonly as the
"Festival of Booths" or "Feast of Tabernacles") Rabbi Barash said
Jewish life in the city, that draws countless tourists from Israel and
other countries, is tense. Terror alerts at the airport, the Jewish
Quarter and other areas in the capital have raised the stress level to
an unprecedented high.
"The feeling will be different from now on," he commented. "We still
walk on the streets, but on this holiday we are naturally more fearful
and suspicious."
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