Student explains importance of solidarity

Powerful words were spread across banner after banner on the lawn of the capital building Monday in Washington, D.C. Words of hatred toward Yasser Arafat, comparisons of Arafat and Osama Bin Laden, as well as quotes from President George W. Bush were among the various writings on the posters and banners. The peace rally for the Jewish state of Israel was the largest gathering of American Jews I ever had seen.

This particular rally was put together in less than one week and the turnout was unbelievable. An expected 20,000 turned into an estimated 250,000 actually in attendance. Police and other governmental officials were caught off-guard with the masses of people. Security was minimal. There were no metal detectors or X-ray machines, merely officers guarding two entrances rummaging through bags of the rally-goers and officers with bomb-sniffing dogs. Fear of terrorist acts were in the back of many people's minds, but after watching interviews on the news, many were not concerned.

Oddly enough this thought never crossed my mind until I saw the snipers on top of the Capitol building. The rally-goers were concerned only with the fact that the Jewish people of this country could come together like they did on Monday and support the holy land of Israel.

There were people from all over the country as well as various parts of Canada. Many religious groups, such as Hillel, also were in attendance from various universities around the nation. Jews were not the only ones there in support but non-Jews as well.

This past summer I attended the 16th Maccabiah Games, an olympic-type event held every four years in Israel, on the open swim team. With all of the violence going on there this summer, the decision to go was one I never would want to have to make again. My family, excluding one or two members, adamantly did not want me to go.

In my mind, however, the decision was made. I decided to show my solidarity to Israel and take my chances. It was one of the best experiences of my life, and I never will forget it. Not only did I show my solidarity, but also made friends while I was there that will last a lifetime. I also achieved my lifelong goal of returning to Israel for the games as the final swim meet of my career.

The fear of the worst was initially there with my decision, but once I decided to go, I had to have the mentality that if something were to happen to me while I was in Israel then it was going to happen. I would have no control of it. While in Israel, I only had to live with the fear of attack in the back of my mind for three weeks, but the Israeli people live with this day in and day out. Sept. 11 gave this country a taste of fear and attack that the Israelis endure every day of their lives.

I attended the rally with a teammate of mine from the games who attends UVa. We showed our solidarity to Israel once again.

This fighting must stop. The Arabs and Jews have been in over five wars, and it has accomplished nothing but fatalities and annihilation. Among some of those who spoke of hope and support of the holy land at the rally were House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt, past Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and many other governmental officials. To watch this massive gathering of Jews and non-Jews all in support for the same thing was an unbelievable feeling. Cheers and chants spread through the crowds, and as the Israeli National Anthem played, we felt united.

Melanie Stein is a junior health sciences major.