On behalf of Hadassah's 330,000 members and supporters, National President Ellen Hershkin took immediate action following the brutal attacks in Israel on March 8, 2016. Please see her letters, below, to President Barack Obama, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and an email to Hadassah’s members, Associates and supporters.
Terror in Israel: Hadassah Takes Action
Terror attacks against Israelis, soldiers, and visitors continue unabated. In nearly 6 months, hundreds of people have been brutally assaulted by Palestinian adults and teenagers using cars, knives, hatchets, stones and guns. Join us as Hadassah takes action in Israel and the United States.
Advocacy in the United States
In the US, Hadassah National President Ellen Hershkin has called upon President Obama, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to put pressure on the Palestinian leadership to end the terrorism now. Through our National Action Center, Hadassah’s members, Associates and supporters should immediately send letters to their elected officials. Hadassah social media are spreading the word through friends and followers around the world. Here are the letters Ellen sent:
Contact Your Representatives Now ›
Letter from President Ellen Hershkin to all Hadassah members and supporters
Dear Friends,
I know you are as distraught as I am over the almost daily acts of terrorism that the citizens of Israel have faced for the past six months. The terrorism took the life of a visiting American student Tuesday night and critically injured at least a dozen more in three abhorrent attacks throughout the country. This is deplorable, unacceptable and must end now!
The terror attacks have spread throughout the country. Israelis are on constant alert as they go about their lives—working, going to school, waiting for a bus, grocery shopping or walking down a street. Parents have been wounded and killed with knives and hatchets in front of their children; pregnant women have been attacked; teenagers and toddlers have been gravely injured. We express our deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. Over 170 victims have been treated at Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem; many have been rushed to other hospitals near the attack locations.
As practical Zionists who are on the ground, healing both the victims and perpetrators of this violence, we must stand firmly with Israel and ask our elected officials to do the same. The United States must put diplomatic pressure on the Palestinian leadership to condemn the ongoing wave of terrorism and immediately end the incitement they encourage.
We thank Vice President Biden for his strong condemnation of the attacks, and for condemning those in the international community who do not speak out against these crimes against humanity. Hadassah is also sending a letter to President Obama asking for his statement—with the stature of the office of the United States President. In addition, I am writing to the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who visited HMO's terror victims last October, about the shameful lack of international response.
As healers, advocates, and supporters of Israel 330,000 strong, I call for an immediate end to these brutal and barbaric acts. As National President of Hadassah, I constantly speak and work with key decision makers in other prominent Jewish organizations on this extremely important matter. Hadassah is deeply engaged on social media, spreading awareness and encouraging members and Associates to share these important advocacy alerts with their friends and colleagues.
There is great strength in our numbers. As members of Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, I ask you to please join me in sending letters to your elected officials to make sure Israel's security is a top priority. Send a letter through our National Action Center.
Kulanu B'Yachad, we together express our love of Israel through action.
B'Shalom,
Ellen Hershkin
National President
Letter from Hadassah President Ellen Hershkin to the President Barack Obama
March 9, 2016
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500Dear Mr. President:
On behalf of the more than 330,000 members and supporters of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. I thank Vice President Biden for his recent comments following the latest of the horrifying attacks against Israelis that have persisted for nearly six months. We ask that you amplify his words with the stature of the Office of the President of the United States.
The terror attacks have spread to every corner of Israel. Israelis are on constant alert as they go about their lives—working, going to school, waiting for a bus, grocery shopping or walking down a street. Parents have been wounded and killed with knives and hatchets in front of their children; pregnant women have been attacked; teenagers and toddlers have been gravely injured. Over 170 individuals—both the victims and perpetrators—have been treated at Hadassah Medical Organization in Jerusalem. Our medical personnel are justly famous for never giving up on a patient and we strongly urge you to never give up on Israel’s security.
The people of Israel need our help during this time of crisis. The United States must lead the international community in advocating for diplomatic pressure on the Palestinian leadership to condemn the ongoing wave of terror and immediately end the incitement they encourage.
We thank you for your support and implore you to continue standing unequivocally for Israel’s right to defend herself against all threats that endanger the safety and security of her citizens and tourists.
Most respectfully,
Ellen Hershkin
Hadassah National President
Letter from President Ellen Hershkin to His Excellency Ban Ki-moon
March 10, 2016
His Excellency Ban Ki-moon
Secretary-General of the United Nations
United Nations
New York, New YorkDear Mr. Secretary-General,
During your visit this past October to Hadassah’s hospitals in Jerusalem, you saw first-hand the results of the brutal terrorist attacks against Israelis that have continued to persist, almost daily. On behalf of the more than 330,000 members and supporters of Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. I urge you to speak up and condemn the violence and to pressure other world leaders to do the same.
Since your visit, terror attacks have spread to every corner of Israel and over 170 individuals—both the victims and perpetrators—have been, and continue to be, treated at Hadassah’s hospitals in Jerusalem. Israelis are on constant alert as they go about their lives—working, going to school, waiting for a bus, grocery shopping or walking down a street. Parents have been wounded and killed with knives and hatchets in front of their children; pregnant women have been attacked; teenagers and toddlers have been gravely injured. Your visit to our hospitals drew attention to these indiscriminate and barbaric attacks but more must be done.
You have wisely stated that, ”nothing excuses terrorism.” The Palestinian leadership must be pressured to publicly and unequivocally condemn the ongoing wave of terror and immediately end the incitement they encourage. As Israel faces yet another dark hour, the silence coming out of the international community is deafening, shameful and threatens the charter and the fundamental principles of your organization, the United Nations.
As a leader that represents the international community, you have the power to change this reality through your words and actions.
Most respectfully,
Ellen Hershkin
Hadassah National President
