Rabbi’s Commentary

Dear Friend of The Fellowship,

A year ago, the world was stunned by the events unfolding in Paris.

First, brothers Sherif and Said Kouachi – both masked, dressed in black, and armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles – forced their way into the editorial offices of Charlie Hebdo magazine, killing 12, including staff members, security personnel, and a guest. The next day, a lone gunman armed with a pistol and a machine gun shot several people in a Paris suburb, killing a policewoman. And the following day, while the brothers were engaged in an 8-hour standoff with police, gunman Amedy Coulibaly took several people hostage at a kosher supermarket in Paris, demanding the Kouachi brothers be allowed to go free. Coulibaly killed four hostages before commandos stormed the supermarket, killing him and freeing 15 other hostages.

Now, we have seen more heinous attacks by extremists – in France, in Mali, in California, and elsewhere. These attacks have become all too familiar. Yes, they outrage and grieve us. But surprise at such acts of violent extremism ceased long ago. In Israel, we have lived with them for many years. And now, the rest of the world is coming to know – sadly – the reality Israelis face every day.

In the wake of the San Bernardino shooting, and similar attacks throughout the world, I fear all of us are losing our surprise at such violence; this violence has become “business as usual.”

My friends, the battle against this extremism is not just Israel’s battle. It is our battle. Let us pray for the day when the free world will unite, with firm resolve, to fight it.

With prayers for shalom, peace,

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
President and Founder, International Fellowship of Christians and Jews^® of Canada

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