21 March 2001

Page 2 of Report on a Speech by Ariel Sharon
21 March 2001, 5:30pm, Sheraton New York Ballroom

[Following are fragments of the speeches that took place; there were a total of six speakers. Directly below are pieces from the speeches that preceeded Ariel Sharon. You can read Sharon's remarks here. I have made every effort to keep things accurate and in context, but I also acknowledge that I did not record the speeches, or attempt to transcribe them in their entirety. They are fragments. Text not in quotations consists of my summary or other annotation.]

• First speaker: Burton Resnick, Chairman of the Board, State of Israel Bonds

He welcomed the group, he noted Ariel Sharon's legendary service to the reborn Jewish nation, and spoke briefly about Israel Bonds.

• Second speaker: Cantor Farid Dardashti, Temple Beth El, New Rochelle, NY

The cantor sang the national anthems which, when announced by Resnick, sounded as though he said "the Israeli-American anthem." Must have been my hearing: first, Hatikvah, then the Star Spangled Banner. Was there a rationale behind the order? Am I being overly sensitive? I think so. Nonetheless, I refrain from singing Hatikvah, since it's not my national anthem. I notice that the blonde in the row in front of me manages to sing it between chews, while the two financial guys appear to sort of sing and sort of not. But the group is loud on the whole.

• Third speaker: Rudolf Giuliani, Mayor of New York City

"…We all know that Ariel Sharon possesses the vigor and strength to lead the state of Israel during this troubled time. … he has established himself and has dedicated his life to the service of his country … and people were aware of his status even before he became prime minister."

"…To bring peace will require his skills ... it's not just about the good intentions of the US - good intentions on one side cannot make a peace. Palestinians must prove their commitment to a true and lasting peace."

Giuliani then made a connection between the change of presidential leadership here in the US and there, in Israel. He said he wants Sharon to understand that he has his support and the support of many in the US. He said that "peace must come from strength," and he drew allusions to both World Wars, and how if people had stood up to bullying governments earlier, we might not have had the events we did. [Nevermind that in popular history, Israel's existence is very much the result of the Holocaust; no Holocaust, no Israel. Then what?]

"Ariel Sharon supports the deepest democratic values such as ours," whereupon he noted Israel's status as the one democracy in the Middle East. But, "as Lincoln said a house divided cannot stand," and in the same way "we realize that a divided Jerusalem cannot stand." This got much applause. He then talked about how three religions have "ties" to Jerusalem, but how it has only been since 1967 and the reunification of Jerusalem under Israeli rule that all religions have received equal access to their sites and equal treatment under the law.

[Giuliani concluded his speech shortly thereafter, by giving Sharon a leather jacket with something stitched on the back, several Yankee hats for the grandkids, and an NYPD t-shirt, in Hebrew and English. That, too, brought applause.]

• Fourth speaker: Ronald Lauder, in his role as the Chairman of the Conference of Presidents

"Never since its founding in 1948 has Israel been in a more difficult position, and never has it more needed to be united." … Lauder then talked about a poll has just been completed [by whom?], which showed that by a 5-1 margin, those Americans questioned understood Israel's position, and "stand with Israel." 80% support Israel, and support America's "special relationship" with Israel, and believe that America should defend Israel in the event it is needed, Lauder said.

"They know who is responsible for the violence."

Moreover, "a symbol of our unity for 3,000 years has been Jerusalem and it should be the united, eternal capital of Israel. … Such declarations do not threaten peace - they assure it. ... And I must say, Jerusalem could not be in better shape than with Ariel Sharon as Prime Minister." [Much applause.]

• Fifth speaker: Gideon Patt, President and CEO, State of Israel Bonds

"Tonight, Mr. Prime Minister, you see the realization of unity with the leaders of East Coast Jewry assembled here." [At this point, I tuned out, thinking about whether that was true. Does the fact that these people lead Jewish organizations make them either the heads of, or representative of, East Coast Jewry? Is there even such a thing? Patt went on to talk about Israel Bonds; I stayed tuned out until he finished.]

[Read Ariel Sharon's remarks at: www.sascha.com/ArielSharon_1