US Jews salute IDF soldiers
Support from NY's Jewish communities as IDF soldiers wounded in Operation Cast Lead, Lebanon tour US via Chabad Youth Organization initiative
In the midst of the international crisis centered on the lethal IDF raid on the Gaza aid flotilla, and against a backdrop of cool relations between Jerusalem and Washington, Manhattan's Jewish community is hosting 10 IDF soldiers who were wounded during the second Lebanon war and Operation Cast Lead. The visit is part holiday, part PR campaign.
The soldiers began by meeting some of their American counterparts – US soldiers who were wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. Later, they are expected to enjoy a VIP visit to the White House and a special reception at the Israeli embassy in Washington.
The chabad Israel Center of the upper east side in Manhattan, New York is behind the initiative, which resulted in the soldiers leaving the rehabilitation departments of various hospitals and making the trip to the Big Apple. The organizers recruited many local families, who gave time and money to the project as an expression of their admiration for the IDF.
The main aim is tourism – some fun for the soldiers. But locals also see them as ambassadors for Israel and the IDF.
"There are Jewish or Israeli members we haven't heard from for years, and suddenly, with this issue, doors are opened," Rabbi Uriel Vigler, from Manhattan's Chabad community, said to Ynet. "They are very proud of the State of Israel and the army, and are full of respect and love for the soldiers."
But respect comes not only from within the community. The tour has aroused interest in US media, including the local New York Post and nationwide TV networks.
'Palestinians have better PR'
Ben Spitzer in particular gets a lot of attention. He lost a hand and suffered severe head injuries during Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip, but never ceases to dream. The delegation leader, Menachem Kutner, also invited Ben's father Ofer, who has devoted himself to caring for his son.
"We came here to show the local Jews that what they hear about us from the media is far from the truth," Ofer Spitzer said to Ynet. "The Palestinians have much better PR than us, and it's lucky that New York's Jews get information from Israel as well."
During meetings with community leaders, the soldiers were asked what they expected from the local Jews. They should influence the US Administration, so that it will see the Israeli side, the soldiers said.
Eitan, who was seriously wounded in Operation Cast Lead, told Ynet about his meeting with the Marines.
"We talked about coping with wounds and rehabilitation," he said. "I spoke with a guy wounded by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan… but we didn't speak about the controversies surrounding the wars we were in – after all, we came here to enjoy ourselves."
Rabbi Yosef Aharonov, chairman of the Chabad Youth Organization in Israel, said, "This project is part of an effort to strengthen Jewish communities around the world's identification with what is going on in Israel and with war casualties.
Concern for others is one of the cornerstones at the basis of Chabad's operations in Israel and around the world. These soldiers have great emotional strength, and we feel proud that we were able to help them with a few days of relaxation and rehabilitation that will certainly help them on their way to getting their lives back on track."
