Posted on 06/07/18
Jerusalem, Israel - June 7, 2018 - Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani is in Israel for a week. One of his speaking engagements was at a buffet dinner gathering held in the OneFamily Gardens on Wednesday evening.
OneFamily has developed a comprehensive assistance program aimed at addressing the financial, emotional, material, and legal needs of victims of terror and their families. Since 2001, it has grown to service tens of thousands, with OneFamily Centers in Jerusalem, Raanana and Hadera and activities throughout Israel.
The evening program was entitled "Beating Terror in an Age of Political Change." Giuliani commented on former President Bill Clinton's acceptance of Yasser Arafat. And reminded the audience of how Leon Klinghoffer z"l was murdered by the PLO for "being a Jew." While Giuliani was mayor of New York City, Arafat was not welcome.
Marc Belzberg, Chairman of OneFamily introduced Giuliani to an audience to whom he needed no introduction. Many former New Yorkers were in attendance and remembered New York City, before Giuliani turned around the crime capital, and made it a desirable place to live.
The former New York City mayor's response to bus bombings in Jerusalem, coming to Israel to show support, and his support of victims and their families after the September 11 terror attack were well known to his audience. His popularity demonstrated by how many at the dinner guests wanted photos with Giuliani, as well as OneFamily CEO Chantal Belzberg.
As a legal Advisor to President Donald J. Trump, Giuliani's remarks reflected his appreciation for Trump, but also for former President Ronald Reagan, who knew how to stand strong against terrorists. When speaking of the media, Giuliani mentioned a Reagan anecdote. Reagen would read the New York Times and do the opposite, the more criticized, the more he knew "he was doing right."
Giuliani believes terrorism can be beaten, but we need to go on the offence, and added, "Yes, your government does" many attacks are prevented, but terror attacks need to be followed up with deference.
At the end of the question and answer session of the program, OneFamly Board Member, Rachel Moore, made a presentation to Giuliani on behalf of the nonprofit organization.
The international supporters of OneFamily, seated around tables, outside on the pleasant evening, were moved by the video presentation, "ONE." Representing the thousands of families helped by OneFamily, were Israel Prize winner Miriam Perez, who had two sons fall in Israeli wars, and members of the Naftali Fraenkel, z"l, family. OneFamily offers aid to all Israeli victims of terror, not just Jewish victims and their families.
