The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations today expressed its support for Mr. Stephen Flatow, father of Alisa Flatow, of blessed memory, who perished in a bus bombing perpetrated by a suicide bomber in Israel in 1995. As Mr. Flatow appears today before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify in support of Senator Frank Lautenberg’s (D-NJ) legislation regarding the seizure of the Iranian assets that were frozen at the time of the revolution, we remember our shock and anger as we learned of Alisa’s tragic and untimely death.

Betty Ehrenberg, Director of International and Communal Affairs, said, “The horrific bus bombing which took Alisa’s life was perpetrated by terrorist organizations that are fostered, trained and funded by Iran. They continue to use terror as a means of obtaining their political objectives. Leaving a trail of death in incident after incident of the terror aimed at instilling fear in the hearts of Israelis and fellow Jews, these terrorist forces have as their spiritual parents the Islamic radical movements that emanate from Iran and participate in the Iranian jihad against Israel. They are the enemies of peace and of Middle East stability as they attack not only Israel but also other moderate states in the region that seek to achieve stability in that volatile area of the world.”

“The Orthodox Union stands today with Stephen Flatow in the aim of combating the scourge of international terrorism that is embodied by groups such as Hamas, Hizbollah and all the other groups aided by the Iranian extremist regime. Iran must learn that they can not support acts of terrorism around the world without paying a price. Iran and other rogue countries which support, fund and train terrorists have no place in the family of civilized nations. They must receive a very strong message today, namely, that the United States will stand behind its Antiterrorism Act and enforce the judgment won by the Flatow family against Iran.”

“Hamas and Hizbollah, henchmen of the Iranian extremist regime and their allies seek the destruction of the state of Israel. They seek to instill terror in the hearts of Jews and Israelis all over the world as well as in those of others who do not agree with their religious and political views. We must use every channel that can isolate, condemn, and undermine states and groups that foster and carry out acts of terrorism as they threaten the freedom, values and principles that America holds so dear.”