Resolution Adopted by the CCAR
RESOLUTION ON HAMAS TERROR
Adopted by the 107th Annual Convention of the
Central Conference of American Rabbis
March, 1996
Background
Rabbi Hanan Brichto, z”l, our beloved teacher of Tanach at Hebrew Union
College- Jewish Institute of Religion, once taught that he believed that
“Amelek” referred not to an ethnic community but rather was the Biblical term
for terrorist. The command to wipe out the Amalekites is, according to Rabbi
Brichto, a command to us to wipe out terrorism. Each year at this season we
Jews rejoice at the defeat of terrorism as we celebrate the defeat of the
Amalekite Haman.
The joy of the month of Adar was shattered for us this year by the acts of
terrorism in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv of the modern day Amalekites, the
ideological descendants of Haman called Hamas. In Hebrew “Hamas” is the word
for “terror” and “destruction.”
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Central Conference of American Rabbis extends its
condolences to the families of all the victims of these recent terrorist
attacks among whom were men, women and children; Israeli citizens, Americans,
other foreign tourists and temporary workers.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we extend our wishes for a “Refu-ah Sh’leima” to
all the injured. Our prayers are with them.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we express our full support to the Israeli
Government in its efforts to combat terrorism and that we call upon the newly
elected Palestinian Authority and its chairman Yassir Arafat to more fully
cooperate with Israel in preventing terrorist attacks.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the CCAR supports the Israeli government’s
determination to continue with the Peace process and supports the Israeli
government’s demand that the Palestinian Council must immediately
unequivocally and publicly revoke all references to the destruction of Israel
contained in the PLO covenant.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we commend President Clinton for his strong and
immediate support for Israel. His convening of the Sharm-el-Sheik conference
and his visit to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv sent a positive statement to Israel
and all the world. The CCAR urges the Congress to ratify the transfer of
anti-terrorist technological assistance to Israel that the President has
proposed. We further call upon the President and Congress to pass and sign
legislation to restrict the transfer of funds from American organizations to
Hamas.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we reaffirm our commitment to the Land of Israel
and its People. We pledge to not only continue to visit Israel personally but
also to encourage our members, including our teenagers to do so likewise.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we pledge to continue to teach the message that
we are commanded to be God’s partners in combating terror and building a
Sukkah of peace over ourselves and over the whole Middle East. Only when we
turn our anger into action will Hamas take its place along side the Hamans of
history whom we have survived. Let us, as we prepare for Passover, the
festival of freedom, vow to support the efforts of the Israeli government and
the United States government to build a foundation of peace with security.
May this be a better year in which the children of Isaac and the children of
Ishmael plant the trees of life which will serve as the standards for the
Sukkah of Peace. May this Sukkah of peace be a true Mishkan and Ohel Mo-ed, a
dwelling place for God and a tent of meeting for us, for all the people of
Israel and all God’s children.