[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 172 (Sunday, November 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    COMMEMORATING FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF TERROR ATTACK ON MOUNT SCOPUS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ERIC CANTOR

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 21, 2003

  Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I had the great opportunity to return to 
Israel during this past August. Every visit to Israel brings forth so 
many emotions, some happy, some sad, but always inspirational. My visit 
was approximately a year after one of the most senseless and brutal 
attacks that has taken place since the beginning of the so-called 
second Intifada. On July 31, 2002, a terrorist placed a bomb in the 
cafeteria at Hebrew University. Nine young people were killed and many 
more wounded. Of the nine, five were Americans. I mourn the loss of all 
innocent lives, but this particular attack stands out for two main 
reasons.
  First, of course, the attack underscores the close relationship of 
Hebrew University to the United States. This goes beyond the tragic 
deaths of the five Americans. The fact that so many Americans were 
there and that so many are still going there to study underscores the 
close relationship between this university and the people of the United 
States. Thousands of Americans have studied at Hebrew University, 
particularly in their exceptional ``year-abroad'' program and in their 
graduate schools. Many are there still and many more will follow. Many 
scientists from Hebrew University are also recipients of research 
grants from the American government and American institutions. Their 
work has been and continues to be of the highest quality. Second, 
targeting Hebrew University for such an attack was truly heinous. 
Throughout its long and distinguished history, Hebrew University has 
reached out to students and scholars of all religions and races.
  The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the ``flagship'' of Israeli 
universities, was first conceived in the 19th century against the 
background of discrimination and persecution in Europe. Jews were 
barred from higher education in Russia and Romania, and there were 
similar restrictions in many other countries. Also, there was an 
increasing demand from high school graduates in pre-state Israel for 
higher education.
  The idea of a university in the Holy Land was proposed by Chaim 
Weizmann, Israel's first president. Among those backing the idea and 
assisting in raising financial support for the future university was 
Albert Einstein. The university's foundation stones were dedicated on 
Mount Scopus overlooking Jerusalem in 1918. Even before the university 
officially opened its doors in 1925, there was an inaugural lecture 
given by Einstein in 1923.
  From its core of three institutes in the exact sciences and Jewish 
studies, the university expanded rapidly to eventually include all 
areas of higher education--the social sciences, law, medicine, dental 
medicine, agriculture, social work and education. The War of 
Independence, with its division of Jerusalem, caused the loss of the 
Mt. Scopus campus to the university in 1948 and its subsequent 
dispersal to various sites in West Jerusalem.
  After the Six-Day War of 1967 and the reunification of Jerusalem, the 
university returned to Mt. Scopus, which again became the main campus. 
Today the university operates from four campuses--three in Jerusalem 
and one in Rehovot and has a total enrollment of some 23,000 students 
and an academic staff of about 1,200.
  The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is an institution of international 
renown and is a beacon of open inquiry and academic freedom in the 
Middle East. The key point is that the university is open to all, 
regardless of nationality, ethnic origin, religion or race. Its 
Rothberg International School hosts students from dozens of countries, 
and its Jewish National and University Library is an unparalleled 
research source used by scholars from around the world.
  The following is a copy of a speech delivered by Menachem Magidor, 
President of the Hebrew University, on the occasion of the first 
anniversary of the attack on the school.

  President Magidor's Speech at the Ceremony Commemorating the First 
            Anniversary of the Terror Attack on Mount Scopus

       Just one year ago.at exactly this moment, this was the 
     scene of a ghastly event, a scene of broken glass, overturned 
     tables, blood and the cries of the injured and dying.
       ``Desolation, devastation and destruction!''
       One year has passed--the murdered have been laid to rest, 
     and among the injured, there are those who have recovered 
     fully, and there are those who will never return to their 
     former selves. The blood has been washed away, the blackened 
     walls have been repainted, students rush to classes, and 
     young people gather at the new tables in the cafeteria, 
     engaged in lively and friendly conversations.
       Has life simply returned to the way it was before? Of 
     course not, because of those who are no longer with us.
       Because Marla Bennett and Benjamin Blutstein will never 
     continue on their marvelous journey of discovery of their 
     roots and traditions;
       Because David Gritz will never continue with his unique 
     combination of philosophy, Jewish Studies and music;
       Because David Diego Ladowski will never serve society and 
     the country as he had aspired to, and to promote the peace in 
     which he believed despite the forces of darkness exemplified 
     by those who murdered him;
       Because Revital Barashi will no longer share her pleasant 
     manner with her colleagues in the corridors of the Faculty of 
     Law;
       Because Dina Carter will never continue with her dedicated 
     work in the Library and Janis Ruth Coulter will never 
     continue to devote herself to the University in America.
       Because we will never again see the wonderful smile that 
     lit up the face of Levina Shapira,
       Because the intelligence and the wisdom which Daphna Spruch 
     personified has gone and will never return.
       And even those amongst us who were not here last year, or 
     who arrived after the dreadful explosion, cannot return to 
     being how they were before. Because we all understand that 
     this University, which is so dear to us all, is hated by the 
     forces of darkness, and that it was not by chance that the 
     University was chosen as a target because we are Israeli or 
     Jewish, but dafka because we are dedicated to openness and 
     tolerance, because we are part of the free and enlightened 
     world and the wicked spared no effort to strike at the 
     University, dafka because our Campuses are oases of wisdom, 
     of dialogue between people of different faiths and 
     backgrounds, of different beliefs and religions.
       And then, you realize that this Campus is part of the war 
     zone in the war for the rebirth of the Jewish people in its 
     land, part of the war zone in the war of the free world 
     against the forces of hate, intolerance and tyranny.
       The year that has passed has not been an easy one. Those 
     who lost their dear ones have found it difficult to accept 
     their loss; the wounded have fought to rebuild their lives 
     again, but the emotional and physical scars will forever be 
     with them.
       The Hebrew University family gritted their teeth, and 
     returned to the sacred work of research and teaching. We were 
     faced with almost impossible decisions. The threats against 
     this University, its principles and all that it represents 
     haven't disappeared.
       We have had to make painful compromises between security 
     considerations and maintaining a free and dynamic Campus. The 
     economic situation and the budgetary burdens have not made it 
     any easier, but the year that has passed has proved to us 
     all, as has happened so many times during the 78 years of the 
     existence of the Hebrew University, that this living and 
     growing tree, called the Hebrew University, is difficult to 
     uproot.
       Because the University's existence draws its life's breath 
     from the never-ending struggle for truth; because it aspires 
     to help the advancement of humanity; because it is rooted 
     deep in the essence of our traditions while its branches 
     stretch forth to the winds of tolerance, openness and respect 
     for one another; because despite the forces of darkness that 
     tried to destroy it, it has not lost its aspirations for 
     peace.
       May the memory of the nine be blessed.

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