Confronting Terror in India

November 27, 2008

by Daniel E. Levenson

As I am writing this, the TV is on behind me, and I am listening to news of the horrific terrorist attack in Mumbai, India, where terrorists have murdered over a hundred people, injured hundreds more, and continue to hold an unknown number hostage. The loss of even one human life in sectarian violence is deeply disturbing, but this assault on so many places and so many people, with attackers reportedly firing randomly at people in restaurants and hotel lobbies, is particularly upsetting. We can only hope that those who are still being held hostage will be released safely, and that the Indian authorities will be able to bring the situation to a swift and peaceful resolution.

The State of Israel and various Jewish organizations have been responding to the situation with messages of support and humanitarian aid, and I would have expected nothing less. Haaretz, for example, is reporting that “Israel's national emergency service said Thursday it had dispatched a team of doctors and medics to Mumbai after a string of coordinated terror attacks in ten separate locations took the lives of at least 125 people, and left hundreds wounded.” The American Jewish Committee posted an open letter to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, saying in part,“We wish to express our deepest condolences for the deaths sustained, our profound hope for the full recovery of the injured, and our outrage over the scale and brazenness of these assaults. As this tragedy is still unfolding, we understand that a number of people are being held hostage, and we join you in hoping for their safe and quick release.”

The Jerusalem Post is reporting that one of the places which was attacked was the Chabad Center in Mumbai, and that a number of Israelis may be being held inside. On their website, the Jerusalem Post has reported that “Chabad spokesman in Israel, Moni Ender, said there were eight Israelis inside the house, including Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his wife Rivka Holtzberg. According to a Foreign Ministry estimate, a total of between 10 and 15 Israelis were being held by terrorists at both the Chabad House and the Oberoi Hotel.” These latest events highlight for me, anyway, that we need to continue to be vigilant in opposing those who would seek to sow seeds of destruction, targeting democratic nations around the world, and unfortunately, it seems like Jews are a constant target for Islamic fundamentalists.  As we in America begin to celebrate our national day of thanks giving, let us all take a moment to think of those who are still in harms way in India and hope that they will soon be safe.