The Jewish world is still reeling from news of the brutal murder of Ari Fuld, a passionate Zionist who worked tirelessly to spread his message across social media and throughout the world. Ari’s views on Israel and its neighbors were certainly and unabashedly right of center.
That’s why it was quite surprising to see a condolence message from none other than Achinoam Nini (Noa), a passionate advocate for left-wing Zionism. Despite the fact that she undoubtedly disagreed with many of Ari’s views and opinions, she has a strong connection with the Fuld family and felt compelled to offer her sympathies (in Hebrew) via Facebook:
Here’s a rough translation:
“This morning, Ari Fuld was stabbed to death in Efrat. Ari, may his memory be a blessing, was the youngest son of Rabbi Yonah Fuld, one of the influential role models of my life. I was a student of Rabbi Fuld in the yeshiva I attended in New York from kindergarten until 8th grade, SAR Academy. Rabbi Fuld, an Orthodox rabbi who was very “open” in his opinions and his heart, was one of the most wonderful, intelligent, and “people-loving” people I’ve met in this world. He would come to my concerts with radiant happiness, and would call on every birthday to wish me well as if I was still 12. He was proud of me despite our differences of opinion, and would tell me that I applied what he taught me: to love your neighbor as yourself. I owe him a tremendous amount, and love him and his family from the depths of my heart. This news broke me to pieces. I can’t breathe. Oy, Rebbe… I am sending hugs and condolences from the depths of my broken heart.”
Quite a beautiful sentiment from someone far on the opposite side of the political spectrum. Kol Hakavod!
As for the family and admirers of Ari Fuld, Hamakom Yenachem. By all accounts, the nation of Israel has lost a warrior and hero, and he will be sorely missed.
Yael Berkowitz
September 19, 2018 at 3:12 pmMr. Tamir,
Considering that on the Left the reaction to a Settler being killed often — though of course not always — ranges from “Well, what did he expect?!” to “Good!” — jshron had reason to be surprised at the thoughtful and empathetic comment from Nini.
As for the settlements themselves, one can argue against their advisability and against their morality, but it’s simply incorrect to say that they were “pushed down the throats of the Israeli People”. Many Israeli — perhaps most — are not emotionally or theoretically attached to the settlement enterprise, but few nowadays believe that it’s preventing peace or that if it were dismantled our situation wouldn’t worsen.
David Graniewitz
September 18, 2018 at 9:26 amWhy is it surprising that one human being should express sadness at the tragic death of another human being? Is politics so important to you that you would not send condolences to the family of a victim whose opinions you did not agree with?
jshron
September 18, 2018 at 10:29 am“Surprising” may not have been the best word. I’m impressed that she spoke out.
Glenn Tamir
September 17, 2018 at 4:49 pmYour “surprise” that Noa would leave such a thoughtful message shows how little you understand the motives of those who are against the settlement policies our politicians have pushed down the throats of the Israeli People. Unfortunately, I doubt this will have any effect and we will undoubtedly witness more such murders that those policies have enabled.
jshron
September 17, 2018 at 5:16 pmI saw this after reading several disturbing sentiments on social media to the extent of “he got what he deserved”. Considering our very divisive political climate, Noa didn’t need to say anything. I’m impressed she did!
Yaakov Golbert
September 18, 2018 at 7:03 amYou think the policies of allowing Jews to resettle our homeland “enabled,” murders like that of Ari Fulds? Do the Arabs need”enabling” to murder Jews? They have been doing its for more than a hundred years. What enabled the massacres of 1929 in Hebron and many other places? When Rabin and Barack instituted the peaceful policies which you so sanctimoniously advocate, did they evoke a peaceful response? Or did they evoke even more and bloodier attacks? Wasn’t the period of maximum concessions, under Rabin and Peres were the very periods when bus bombing began? Concessions only prove to the Arabs that we are weak and that what brings them results is killing more Jews.
Daniel
September 18, 2018 at 7:33 amGlenn, the only enabler is Islam. The day you realize that is the day we come closer to living in safety and freedom in our homeland.
Steven Saitowitz
September 21, 2018 at 6:18 amAfter living in Israel for almost 27 years, her response does surprise me. typically the extreme left in Israel have attempted to de humanize those Jews living in Shomron and Yehuda by constantly referring to them as “settlelrs”. Basically either were all “settlers” or none of us are settlers. The fact that we settled Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, Ramat haSharon etc first and those cities in Shomron and Yehuda afterward, should not allow the left to discriminate against those living in Shomron and Yehuda. They constantly do this, trying to deny them universities, schools and other services. Trying to have their homes destroyed because they dont agree that their homes should be there in the first place etc. So it was very brave of the singer to express her condolences because rest assured she will soon be assailed by the extreme left, for doing so. The Arab/Israeli confilict started long before the first home eas built in Shomrom and Yehuda. It did not start in 1967 and it i did not start in 1948. The hebron pogrom where Arabs murdered Jews just because they were Jews took place in 1929. Many other Jews were murdered for being Jews long before the first, “settlement”. So those on the left who try to blame the “settlers”, simply put are nothing but a gang of thugs and liars, and tby siding with the arabs they simply are complicit in the murders of Jews.