The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America today expressed its outrage at the recent vicious acts of terror that have struck Israel this past weekend. In a letter, the Orthodox Union praised President Bush for his strong support of Israel in the face of renewed terrorism and for the bold and courageous steps to confront all forms of terror. The text of the letter is as follows:

December 4, 2001

Dear President Bush,

On behalf of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, the nation’s largest Orthodox Jewish synagogue organization, we write to express our deepest appreciation for your strong support of the State of Israel as she faces renewed acts of terrorism.

Words cannot express our shock and grief at the heinous acts of violence perpetrated upon innocent Israelis in recent days. We applaud your strong condemnation of these murderous attacks, are grateful for your expressions of sympathy toward the victims, and wholeheartedly support your demand that Chairman Arafat and the Palestinian Authority demonstrate their commitment to fight terrorism through their actions and not merely their words. We share your conviction that all forms of terrorism must be eradicated, a shared goal of both the United States and Israel. We further note with appreciation that these messages of solidarity and sympathy have been clearly stated by numerous Administration officials in recent days.

Mr. President, we thank you for your outstanding leadership in the global battle against terrorism, which has united not only our country but the freedom-loving nations of the world, and for your staunch commitment to the safety and security of Israel. In closing, be assured that you enjoy the full support of the Union and its constituents in your effort to rid the civilized world of the scourge of terrorism. May you partake, in this effort, of the charge given by Moses to Joshua — “Be strong and steadfast.”

Sincerely,

Harvey Blitz
President, OU Richard B. Stone
Chairman, IPA Nathan Diament
Director, IPA Betty Ehrenberg
Director, International Affairs