Six months ago, on May 8, Palestinian terrorists slaughtered our son Koby, 13, and his friend Yosef Ish-Ran, 14. The two boys, who played hooky from 8th grade to go hiking in a dry riverbed a half a kilometer from our home in Israel, were found with their heads crushed and bodies mutilated beyond recognition. The killers dipped their hands into the boys' blood and smeared it on the walls of the cave where the boys were found.
Koby was both an American and an Israeli citizen. He loved Cal Ripken, Michael Jordan, making chocolate milk shakes for the whole family and studying the logic of the Talmud. He was almost finished with 8th grade, and had just started to care about the way he looked. He was kind and athletic and funny, and he was smart, smart enough to understand the way that language affects perception. What we call or name an action often determines how we perceive it.
SOLDIERS IN WAR
In a stunning and painful development, many American newspapers, including The New York Times and The Washington Post, have bought the Palestinian propaganda line that murderers who kill innocent Israelis like Koby are not terrorists trying to instill fear and demoralize a civilian population, but rather "militants" who are engaged in a campaign of warfare against a repressive government.
According to this line of reasoning, our son and other children like him are killed not by terrorists -- but by Palestinian "militants." Militants are engaged in combat, in military action, ready to give up their lives to attack the enemy.
According to this line of reasoning, our son and other children like him were killed not by cowardly and immoral terrorists -- but by brave and honorable Palestinian militants.
Militants are soldiers engaged in war, even if the people they are fighting aren't old enough to shave.
Militants are soldiers engaged in war, even if the people they are fighting aren't old enough to shave.
Calling Palestinian terrorists militants justifies the actions of people like Sheikh Yassin of Hamas and Marwan Barghouti of the Tanzim who eagerly send Palestinians to die "nobly" for their cause, targeting Israeli children, like the 14- and 16-year-olds killed last week in Jerusalem. The two were on the way home from school. They were riding a public bus filled with other high school students when a terrorist opened fire with an M16. The shooter killed the two teenagers and wounded 50 others.
On the day of the shooting, the headlines in The New York Times and elsewhere reported that the attack had been perpetrated by Palestinian militants. In the morning, those militants had been transformed into gunmen -- an even more offensive term, with its old-fashioned atmosphere and vapid neutrality. The word is blameless, a description rather than a definition. A man with a gun, engaged in illegal activity. Illegal, but not necessarily immoral.
What has happened to the word terrorist -- inflicting terror, horror, pain to create overwhelming fear? Why are these men called by innocuous labels when their goal is to kill and maim as many innocent people as they can? And what about terrorism -- a system of inflicting terror on a particular population? Why has that word suddenly been excised from the political rhetoric about Palestinians?
Let us not excuse leaders who extol death by suicide bombing or who encourage their people to spray bullets into a crowd of innocent children on their way home from school. And let us not mistake terrorism as a random event rather than as a institutionalized system of intimidation.
BLOOD AND HATE
Palestinian leaders consciously inculcate the culture of terrorism in their society. That's one reason why polls indicate that more than 75% of the population favor suicide bombings. That's why on the evening of September 11, Palestinians were dancing in the street, celebrating because nearly 6,000 people had been struck down by a "militant" plot on American soil. That's why Palestinians accord rock star status to suicide bombers who die a "martyr's" death. It's a message that legitimizes terrorists like the one who blew up the Sbarro pizza parlor, killing our friend Frimet Roth's 15-year-old daughter, Malky, a flute player and poet.
Palestinians accord rock star status to suicide bombers who die a 'martyr's' death.
The Palestinians celebrated the Sbarro bombing by opening an exhibition at an Islamic university, where there was a cardboard cutout of the Sbarro storefront, and fake blood spilled onto the ground. This is how the Palestinian students learn to glorify the systematized "martyrdom" of good "militants."
Make no mistake about it. Our son Koby was killed by terrorists. We beg you, do not whitewash that fact. Do not justify our son's murder.
And do not jeopardize America's moral fight against terrorism by calling the Palestinians who killed Koby, Yosef, and the others resistance fighters, instead of calling them what they are: cruel, callous, child-killing terrorists with blood on their hands and hate seared into their hearts.
This article originally appeared in the Jerusalem Post.
(20) Robbie Feinstein, February 19, 2002 12:00 AM
I Wll Never Forget Koby & Yosef
I mourn for Koby, Yosef and all the victims of Arab terrorists. These are tragic times...Israel must be strong
and deter Arab terrorism before it happens! G-d Bless You Always!
(19) Jerry Levine, December 1, 2001 12:00 AM
American media appear to try to justify terrorism by not using that word.
It's about time someone calls a terrorist a terrorist dor certainly, the American seems to not want to do so.Why, I don't know. It appears to be blatant anti-semitism at its undercurrant best. The Jerusalem Post seems to be the only place to get non-palestinian leanings. It's dreadful what has happened to Israeli children but the world doesn't care. If a palestinian child is killed,usually one who is placed in a dangerous situation by his elders or one who throws too many rocks at soldiers after being told to by his elders, a pro palestinian media circus occurs. Hopefully this mess will end someday, but I fear it won't until the last Arab is driven into the sea to steal a promise from that great peacemaker, Yasir Arafat. Keep ip the good work.
(18) Avraham Sedaghat, November 30, 2001 12:00 AM
May you and your family be comforted among the mourners of Zion. May HaShem remember the blood of His servents.
"Israel is holy to HaShem, His first crop. Whoever devours it will be held guilty."
(17) Anonymous, November 28, 2001 12:00 AM
May G-d help you to deal with the pain and I pray for you. Those palestinians terrorist are nothing less than monster. It's a powerful paper, and it tells the true nature of this conflict. I wish the Israelis will deal with those terrorist once and for all. Let's G-d help all Israel .
Shalom
(16) Anonymous, November 22, 2001 12:00 AM
Thank You
I want to thank you so much for having the strenth given to you by GOD to write this letter. With the help of GOD I know that you will be ok in all ways. Those of us that have put our faith in him know that he has a reason behind everything that he does. I know that it is hard but with prayer he will give you comfort, for we are all his children. I am sorry for your loss.
I also want to thank you for seeing how bad the news meadia and others have messed-up the proper way of covering a story. It seems today that you can not say are do anything until someone is sceeming that you are biased or racist. I am a firm believer of calling it like you see it. If someone is a thief then call them a thief and if they are a killer then call them a killer. If they do not like it when someone calls them what they are then they should change what they are. Terrorists are all evil because GOD tells us to love each other and to resist evil ways. I don't think that anyone that kills inocent people of any age deserves to be called anything but a terrorist. Israel should be an example to the rest of the world of how to deal with terrorists everywhere.
Again ThankYou for this letter.
(15) Anonymous, November 21, 2001 12:00 AM
We must join together and fight evil terrorists -- now.
This is the most powerful article I have read on the subject. I was crying by the first paragraph. I am absolutely heartsick for young Koby and Yosef and their families and for all the innocent Jews in Israel and the world over killed by Palestinian terrorists. I am shocked at their barbarism. How could they dip their hands in the blood of the young boys they murdered, gleefully hatefully revelling in it? What kind of monsters are these? It feels suddenly like Germany 1939. It seems every generation of Jews has its antisemites to fight. This is ours. The time is now.
This article must be sent everywhere for publication. It must be emailed to friends and lists. No words can convey my heartfelt condolences to the families who have endured the loss of innocent loved ones to heinous evil. Evil must be named and dealt with. If not, the flames of its fire will continue to burn ever higher.
(14) Anonymous, November 20, 2001 12:00 AM
Tell this to Americans
First, my prayers are with you. I can't imagine the loss that you have faced.
I commend you for writing about the "Good Terrorist" and the amoral thought of calling your son's murderers "militants".
I hope that you will build on your writing. Your story is uniquely tragic and strikes home to Americans of all religions. I hope that you write other commentary in places where Americans are likely to read it - USA Today, New York Times, etc.
The news media is biased - sometimes subtly, sometimes not. This heartrending story drives that point home to regular Americans.
(13) Anonymous, November 20, 2001 12:00 AM
I pray for you....
and ask God to comfort you. I also pray that the USA and it's leaders will see Israels struggles are also her struggles and deal with these terrorist acts with the same determination they are showing in Afghanistan. I would rather die fighting for Israel, then live trying to overlook evil.
(12) Janet Miller, November 20, 2001 12:00 AM
Politically correct language must die.
I am so FED UP with politically correct language--'vision impaired' for blind; 'immune suppressed' for HIV+; and yes--MILITANT for terrorist. Mr. and Mrs. Mandell--please accept my sympathy for the death of your son.
A militant or a freedom fighter does not intentionally harm schoolboys or busloads of civilians. These aberrant beings who violate every religion's code of decency and re-write religion and history need to be called what they are--thugs; sociopaths; TERRORISTS. These are not people who wish to peacefully coexist with their Jewish neighbors, but to destroy them to suit their own evil purposes. The sooner the Western media stops glorifying them and starts calling them and their actions what they are, the sooner their 'cause' will be seen as the sham it is by the rest of the world.
(11) Anonymous, November 19, 2001 12:00 AM
The Truth
Our prayers and sympathy are with you.
The truth is always under attack and supressed. May be it always will be. We must continue to hold to, and seek it at all costs.
(10) Anonymous, November 19, 2001 12:00 AM
How Sad....
I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your son.
(9) Anonymous, November 19, 2001 12:00 AM
I want to show my utmost support to the parents of these young childeren that were killed by mindless and discusting terrorist. It hurts very deep to hear this story. All my Love to my breten, my people, Avigdor
(8) Anonymous, November 19, 2001 12:00 AM
The truth comes out
Here in Canada we are the recipients of CNN or FOX news. We don't get an unbiased view of the actual events or circumstances. My condolances go to the parents.
(7) Charles Feldman, November 19, 2001 12:00 AM
We must never forget these boys....
I have been after Joshua Hammer of Newsweek magazine for justification and explanation of four words that he put in his article on the subject of these two boys deaths. He claims that Palestinian roots in Tekoa run just as deep as Jewish roots. Those four words, "run just as deep" haunt me and should disturb every living and breathing Jewish person on this earth , for they are simply not true. To this day I carry that article with me and from time to time I try to get Newsweek to print a retraction. Below is a paragragh from on of my letters:
The article titled “Death in a Sacred Place” written by Hammer in the May 21st edition states that the settlement of Tekoa that was founded in 1974 was a historical Jewish land where David shepherded his fathers flocks, the prophet Amos was born, and where Rabbi Shimon ben Yohai a second century mystic who developed the cabala philosophy dwelled for 20 years. He clearly demonstrated that Jewish roots in this sacred place run very deep. The article also states that Palestinian roots run just as deep. Can he please publish examples of Palestinian personalities and figures from history in the same concise and accurate manner that he listed those that were of Jewish origin? I have asked about this in May and even FAXED Hammer in Jerusalem. I am still waiting for an answer from you and him. I am sure that your professional researchers can provide the examples I requested.
All concerned people should "hammer" newsweek until we get an answer from them. The lives lost here are precious and these boys must never be forgotten.
(6) Anonymous, November 19, 2001 12:00 AM
Golda Meir said...
I saw the movie about Golda Meir. When Golda was asked " when will there be peace" Golda said " When they love thier own children more then they hate us"
How sad but true. They do not even love their own children, they send them out to be suicide bombers placing no value on their own children's lives. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, may they prosper that love thee.
(5) Chezi Goldberg, November 19, 2001 12:00 AM
Show This To George W. Bush
Dear Seth and Sherri,
Your piece about Good Terrorists says it like no one else has said it before.
Perhaps President G.W Bush would benefit from a face to face meeting with two parents who must cringe everytime the Americans try to differentiate between good and bad terrorists. Sort of resembles the difference between good and bad Nazis.
Or maybe he would understand it better if you told him that there are good and bad Al Quaida terrorists.
May you be comforted in your tragic and horrific loss. I can tell you that when news of Kobi's murder reached the airwaves, many of us were changed forever.
Chezi Goldberg
LifeLine
www.jewishpress.com
(4) Mordechai Bendon, November 18, 2001 12:00 AM
Just in case you hadn’t worked it out yet...
Thank you for this article. I'd just like to add something.
A terrorist opened fire two weeks ago on an Egged bus No. 25 at the French Hill junction. My wife, 9 months pregnant, was on another bus about 5 minutes away from French Hill when the terrorist opened fire. (Baruch Hashem, mother and baby son are doing well, Brit on Wednesday BE"H).
The terrorist managed to murder two teenagers, Menashe Regev, 14, and New York-born Shoshana Ben-Yishai, 16 and injure more than 50 others before a civilian and police ran behind the bus, from where he was firing and shot him dead.
I wanted to tell you all, just in case you hadn’t worked it out yet, why the world press (if they bothered to report on this story at all!) referred to the teenagers as “settlers” and to the man that shot the terrorist dead as a “gun carrying settler”. The definition of terrorism according to most dictionaries is " to purposefully harm innocent civilians, for the purpose of terrorizing them to accept your demands."
Notice that this is a subjective definition because first one has to define the word “innocent”. The US can bomb Afghanistan into the ground and not be called terrorists because the Taliban are not innocent.
What happened in New York was a terrorist act because the 6,000 people that died were innocent.
This is why the world press must refer to the Jewish victims of Arab murders as “settlers”. This loaded term sends an unspoken message to all that any settler is by definition not innocent. Whether the settler be a 6 month baby or an 80 year old women. Placing the word settler before the name tells everyone that these people are not innocent and therefore justifies not defining their murders as terrorist attacks. The murderers are not terrorists but “militants”. In other words, the world press are saying that “those Jews deserved what they got!”. There is a definition for such thoughts: it’s called anti-Semitism.
(3) Yael, November 18, 2001 12:00 AM
We are no different..
..than the generations before us who had to continually face anti-semitism as a regular part of life.
We are only realizing this so clearly today by the expressed world sentiments about our people.
I am so sorry to hear about these tragedies which happened to Seth and Sherri and tragically, so many others.
Mordechai, your well-written words are so painfully true. I hope that us American Jews will be worthy, together with those already in Israel to greet Moshiach - very soon.
(2) emma, November 18, 2001 12:00 AM
Thank you
I am so pleased to read your article. Where do I begin? You are a family that I think of and pray for daily,and I am not all that religious. I wonder how you find the strength and emuna to get out of bed each day, and I marvel at the fact that you can write something so true and powerful that will hopefully enlighten people about the reality of what happens here in eretz Israel, I am in awe of each of you as parents. I have a son your age, and I will never forget the day that I learned of your sweet childs murder. If I were in your place I am not sure that I could write articles, I would probably be locked up in jail for mass murder or in a psych ward. I am not religious like you , but I believe in eretz Israel, and that you have every right to be where you are living , and I respect you for it. The terrorists are the ones that need to be expelled from the land, not beautiful loving Jews such as yourself and above all precious jewish children, that are Israeli children. They call you and your children settlers , okay but what does the rest of this antisemetic world call the children of terrorists, or as they would say "militants?". I wish you only good things, and I pray that you will have peace in your life, and that you are blessed and above all that the loss of your precious child is never forgotten by any of us.
with much respect and love,
emma cole
(1) Gershon Lesser, November 18, 2001 12:00 AM
with tears
How can you read this under and inside the skin commentary with dry eyes. And having shed tears, for whom? For those boys, and the other innocents? For Jews
who cannot be seen as good, but preferably as merely dead? For the parents whose lives after the killings of those boys took on a new dimension as they realized the search for meaning is bankrupt of human reach speaking only with blood letting bullets? Terrorists they are..militants they are not...worse.....they are consciencsless
killers, murders, psychopathic ability to overcome the most simple standards of any people, who delight in blood letting of others, and others childrens,and who do that deed ...even that deed.....without empathetic honor.
Murder but with abuse, pain, suffering,
and of babies. Babies don't drive tanks, they're easy targets.
Palestinians are they? Human people with soul and search for a communal life are they? Willing themselves to die for Allah's right hand blessings, they stalk babies. Notice...no leaders have yet chosen to join Allah. They have merely sent their trained robots.
For the babies then..Shma Ysrael Hashem Elohainu, Hashem Echod.For the living, wake up and return what must be returned in lesson. Hope is just not going to be enough.