RUTHFULLY YOURS

American broadcaster Glenn Beck held an inspirational rally “Restoring Courage” in support of Israel and the Jewish people at the Davidson Center near the Kotel Plaza Wednesday. The rally was attended by thousands, many of whom came to Israel with him, and was viewed by many more on a giant screen at Safra Square in Jerusalem and worldwide on Beck’s web-based television station.

“What can I teach Israel about courage?” he asked after the audience had risen for “Hatikva”, Israel’s national anthem, led by famed singer Dudu Fisher, with many waving Israeli and American flags. “Nothing”, he said with emphasis.

“I am going to learn courage here. There is more courage in one square mile in Israel than in all of Europe”, bringing the audience to its feet.

Beck awarded prizes for Faith, Hope and Charity respectively to the Fogel family, the Arab and Jewish owners of Maxime’s restaurant in Haifa that was the site of a suicide bomb, and philanthropic supermarket chain owner Rami Levi, showing a moving film about each of the recipients.

“Everything we know about human rights and real civilization came from this place, this land,” he said. “Whether you live by 613 commandments, 10 commandments, or one sweet Golden Rule, it all started here. It all started here – the throne of G-d. Israel did not come into being because of the Balfour Declaration, but because of G-d’s Covenant with the Jewish people.”

“When the world turns its back on Israel and the Jewish people, the world turns its back on human rights. Without the Jewish people, humanity would never know that every single individual life has dignity, that every single life is sacred. That G-d names every star and knows every soul. That was G-d’s message to Abraham. That was G-d’s message to Moses. That is the message of the Jewish people to the world and by their very existence they teach it to us, every single day.”

“It’s easy to blame Israel so that’s what the human rights organizations that ignore Libya and Syria do. Dismiss them. Evil is there again, swastikas are seen again, in Cairo they called for gas chambers. We know you mean what you say, but so do we. And we’re going to win.”

“Who will stand by the Jewish people? Target me. I will. G-d is with me and I am not afraid. Lo Ira[I fear not],” he repeated in Hebrew, his voice breaking, telling about the death threats he has received since his first trip to Israel in 2002.

Beck called on the viewers to join his march for responsibility and support for Israel behind a “The Pillar of Fire” and not to wait for others to solve the problems of injustice and falsehood that face the world.

Alex Rove sang “Let them hear you” and the audience echoed his words.

“Who will protect your rights better?” Beck asked with passion. “A king? A president or you? Who will protect the truth? The media?” – this last to rousing laughter – “A reporter? A producer? Or you?”

“Abraham was old, Moses was hard of speech, Joseph was in prison, David was just a boy, Ruth was a widow, Lazarus was dead–they did it – what’s your excuse?”