Rep. Nadler: Islamist Zealotry is a Threat to Individual Liberty, “Ain Somchin Al Hanes”

Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-10) delivered the following statement at the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) memorial at the Lincoln Square Synagogue about the recent terrorist attack on Charlie Hebdo magazine and the Kosher supermarket in Paris, France:

“Let me begin by thanking Michael Miller and the JCRC for gathering us all here, and by expressing our solidarity with the people of France in this trying hour.

“What are we to make of the attacks on Charlie Hebdo? and on a kosher grocery store in Paris?

“First, that Islamist zealotry is a threat to individual liberty, to democracy, to gender equality, to religious freedom – to everything free people hold dear.

“Second, that Islamist zealotry is a particular threat to Jews – raising a new and murderous form of anti-Semitism.

“Third, demonstrating once again the essential role of Israel as a refuge for Jews, who have been persecuted and murdered in so many nations, and whose safety in much of Europe is, for the second time in a century, sharply in question.

“ISIS, Hamas, Hezbollah, Al Qaeda show that the quote from the Haggada – ‘B’chol dor vador omdim aleinu lechaloteinu’ – ‘In every generation they rise up against us, to destroy us’ – is once again applicable in this generation.

“‘Vehakadosh Baruch Hu matzileinu miyadam’ – ‘And the Almighty saves us from their hands.’

“But the Talmud tells us – ‘Ain somchin al hanes.’ We cannot rely on miracles. As John F. Kennedy said, ‘Here on Earth, G-d’s work must . . . be our own.’

“All of us, all men and women of good will, all believers in liberty and equality, must join in the Lord’s work, in combating Islamist zealotry, in combating the increasing attacks on Jews, and on freedom of expression, and in proclaiming and promoting freedom of thought, the right of all – of both sexes – to equality and education.

“This may be a generation’s work, but free men and women, when confronted by totalitarian challenges, have always risen to meet the challenge, and now must again.”

{Gavriel Sitrit-Matzav.com Newscenter}