Daughter of Terror Victim Visits Mother of 13-Year Old

(Photo: Hallel Yaffa Ariel (2003 – 2016) and her
mother).

 

 

It’s been eighteen years since the murder of my father, Rabbi Shlomo
Ra’anan. The murder last week of 13-year-old Hallel Yaffa Ariel occurred almost on
the same date. It’s time for the Israeli Government to stop accommodating our
enemies, and change direction regarding the brutal enemy in front of us.

 

Today I returned from a condolence call at the Ariel family’s home. The eve
of first of the month of Elul marks 18 years since my father’s murder.

 

The terrorist crawled through the window and stabbed him while he was in his
pajamas ready to go to bed. Dad fought the terrorist who stabbed him multiple
times. 

 

But in front of my mother’s eyes he stabbed him again in his heart and ran
away. 

 

When I went yesterday to the Ariel family, one of the neighbors took me to
Hallel’s room. “The terrorist came from the window of the house and murdered her here as
she lay in bed,” she told me.

 

(Photo: Rabbi Shlomo Raanan, a grandson of Rabbi Abraham Isaac
Kook.)

 

Even those who did not know the family were shocked and came from afar to pay
their respects. I remembered the pain during my father’s shiva services. Even Prime
Minister Benyamin Netanyahu came. He promised to build new residences in
Hebron… and I’m trying to think of what happened in the 18 years since that we
are now again at this point. A terrorist entered a house and in cold-blood murdered a
defenseless person in bed. 

 

Dad was killed in the period after the 1997 Hebron Redeployment Agreement was
signed in which the PA gained control of 97% of Hebron. 

 

We were cut off from Jewish property dating back hundreds of years, from land
legally purchased by the community, and from holy places such as the Cave of Otniel. They were
suddenly on the other side of the border. 

 

The PA residents were supposed to behave towards us peacefully. But they did
not. Since the Hebron Accords terrorism has grown. Incitement and systematic hatred has
only gained momentum. The defense establishment is on the defensive. After the murder of
my father, roadblocks and checkpoints were set up. The army has netted many terrorists
but they have not “drained the swamp.” This morning we again woke up to the sound of
incitement being broadcast from the minarets of the mosques.

 

When I look out my window at the PA side of Hebron, I see massive construction projects. A
huge shopping mall, apartment buildings, luxurious villas. All around us, the hills are
covered with houses for PA residents. 

 

But we, the Jews, are fighting for every housing unit. Even though we have
clear ownership papers proven in court, we are forbidden to enter our property.
The zoning approval that was promised after my father’s murder was only carried out in
part. There are only seven of the 17 housing units approved for construction. Hebron
homes purchased at full price, just like Abraham bought the Cave of Machpela at full
price, now stand deserted after the residents have been expelled by the
government. 

 

The Jewish community is being choked and cannot not develop. Children in the
community who marry, can not live in Hebron because there is no possibility of
housing. 

 

18 years and still the Israeli government casts aside the historical and
moral right to the land of Israel. 

 

18 years of terrorism and incitement continues to exist and to receive
funding and cooperation. 

 

18 years and half a million Jews cling valiantly to their homes and land,
refusing to surrender to murderous terrorists. 

 

18 years and I feel like crying out – enough !!! 

 

The Jewish people returned home! 

 

Stop responding after the murder. Enough of a defensive policy, which leaves
us always at a disadvantage. 

 

Enough of us begging for every home and apartment. It’s time to apply
sovereignty and to build Kiryat Arba and Hebron as anywhere else in the
world!