YOUNG ISRAEL STATEMENT ON THE OKLAHOMA CITY TORNADO
"The National Council of Young Israel joins with the entire nation in expressing our shock and disbelief at the path of utter devastation that the deadly Oklahoma City tornado left in its wake. We express our heartfelt condolences to the many families who lost loved ones as a result of this massive natural disaster, and our thoughts and prayers are with all those families whose homes and personal belongings were claimed by the monstrous twister.
"We are pained thinking about the psychological and emotional impact that this tragedy will inevitably have on the countless children who witnessed the brute force of the storm first hand, and we pray that they will be able to overcome this horrific experience. After viewing the carnage at Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Oklahoma and Briarwood Elementary School in Oklahoma City, we marvel at the heroic actions of the faculty and administration that did everything they could to try and save as many children as possible before the storm hit.
"May all those who sustained injuries have a speedy and complete recovery and may all those who were directly impacted by the storm have the strength and resolve to persevere in the face of such tremendous adversity."
YOUNG ISRAEL EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR SYRIAN AIR STRIKE
The National Council of Young Israel today expressed its support for the defensive air strikes launched by Israel against targets in Syria this past weekend. The targets were reportedly weapons that were being shipped from Iran to the terrorist group Hezbollah and several key military installations.
"The National Council of Young Israel wholeheartedly supports Israel's right to strike strategic targets in Syria in an effort to protect its borders and safeguard its citizens," said Farley Weiss, president of the National Council of Young Israel. "With its neighbors stockpiling weapons that enable them to carry out deadly strikes on Israeli soil, the State of Israel is perfectly within its rights to do whatever is necessary to thwart any attacks and preempt future tragedies involving Israeli civilians."
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YOUNG ISRAEL BACKS CONGRESSIONAL LETTER URGING THE DISMISSAL OF CONTROVERSIAL UN OFFICIAL
The National Council of Young Israel today voiced its support for two congressional letters which call for the removal of "Special Rapporteur" Richard Falk from his United Nations post with the U.N. Human Rights Council.
In letters sent to President Obama and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on April 29th, twenty-five leading members of Congress called for the removal of Falk due to his "twisted anti-American and anti-Israel views" and "long record of offensive statements, conduct, and poor judgment." The letters also cited Falk's "despicable comments blaming the U.S. and Israel for the horrific Boston Marathon terrorist bombings."
The letters were spearheaded by Representative Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania and were signed by an array of prominent congressional leaders, including House Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul of Texas, House Deputy Whip Peter Roskam of Illinois, and
