Israel joined nations around the world today in commemorating the one-year anniversary of the terror attacks on America. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon lead the state's official ceremony at his office, which began at 3:46PM - corresponding to 8:46AM New York time - the moment American Airlines Flight #11 slammed into the north tower of the World Trade Center.
Yesterday, Sharon shared his thoughts about last year's suicide attacks during the weekly Cabinet meeting. He said, "Our hearts are with the innocent victims' families and with the American people. I hold US President George Bush in the highest esteem for the true leadership that he showed in understanding the great historic challenge facing him. Israel, which has been engaged in a war against murderous terror since its independence to this very day, knows that there is no compromise in the war against terror. Any display of weakness in the battle against terror is destined to claim a heavy price."
An Israeli delegation lead by Foreign Minister Shimon Peres is in New York and will take part in a Jewish communal memorial service at Manhattan's Park East synagogue this afternoon. The event was organized by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Tonight, President Moshe Katzav and Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert will be on hand at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem for the opening of a photography gallery dedicated to the memories of victims of September 11.
Arutz Sheva's Ariel Kahane spoke with World Trade Center survivor Ari Schonbrun this afternoon. Schonburn, an Israeli citizen and Cantor Fitzgerald brokerage employee, was on the 78th floor of the north tower, when the first hijacked plane collided with the building. Cantor workers totaling 658 died in the attack. He also spoke to Arutz Sheva on September 12, 2001 detailing his escape from the building.
Kahane: How have things been this past year?
Schonburn: It's been somewhat of a difficult year. There have been good times and bad times. The last two weeks have been very hard. I have been spending time with the families of my colleagues who were killed in the attack. Tomorrow our company will hold a memorial ceremony in Central Park.
Kahane: How did the attack impact your life?
Schonburn: What happened last Sept. 11 remains a part of me everyday. I'll never forget the images from that day: the building shaking, the thick smoke and the screams. It forced to me to reflect on what's really important in life, namely my family. Money and other materialistic items are irrelevant… Now when I leave the house in the morning I wonder if it will be the last time I say goodbye to my family… When I say, I love you to my wife or kids, it's truly from the heart.
Kahane: How can you explain your survival?
Schonburn: Look, I am a G-d-fearing Jew. I can't explain why I survived. Perhaps G-d was telling me that I still have things that I need to get done in this world. It just wasn't my time to go.
Kahane also spoke with former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu about the attacks. Netanyahu said that prior to September 11, Israel was alone in fighting terror. However, afterwards he said, "The United States - the Roman Empire of our day - became united with us in our battle." Netanyahu also said that Israel should throw Yasser Arafat out of her midst, the same way the US expelled the Taliban from Afghanistan. "While Israel fights valiantly against those terror cells that seek our destruction, we must expel the foundations of terror, namely Arafat and his regime."
Yesterday, Sharon shared his thoughts about last year's suicide attacks during the weekly Cabinet meeting. He said, "Our hearts are with the innocent victims' families and with the American people. I hold US President George Bush in the highest esteem for the true leadership that he showed in understanding the great historic challenge facing him. Israel, which has been engaged in a war against murderous terror since its independence to this very day, knows that there is no compromise in the war against terror. Any display of weakness in the battle against terror is destined to claim a heavy price."
An Israeli delegation lead by Foreign Minister Shimon Peres is in New York and will take part in a Jewish communal memorial service at Manhattan's Park East synagogue this afternoon. The event was organized by the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. Tonight, President Moshe Katzav and Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert will be on hand at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem for the opening of a photography gallery dedicated to the memories of victims of September 11.
Arutz Sheva's Ariel Kahane spoke with World Trade Center survivor Ari Schonbrun this afternoon. Schonburn, an Israeli citizen and Cantor Fitzgerald brokerage employee, was on the 78th floor of the north tower, when the first hijacked plane collided with the building. Cantor workers totaling 658 died in the attack. He also spoke to Arutz Sheva on September 12, 2001 detailing his escape from the building.
Kahane: How have things been this past year?
Schonburn: It's been somewhat of a difficult year. There have been good times and bad times. The last two weeks have been very hard. I have been spending time with the families of my colleagues who were killed in the attack. Tomorrow our company will hold a memorial ceremony in Central Park.
Kahane: How did the attack impact your life?
Schonburn: What happened last Sept. 11 remains a part of me everyday. I'll never forget the images from that day: the building shaking, the thick smoke and the screams. It forced to me to reflect on what's really important in life, namely my family. Money and other materialistic items are irrelevant… Now when I leave the house in the morning I wonder if it will be the last time I say goodbye to my family… When I say, I love you to my wife or kids, it's truly from the heart.
Kahane: How can you explain your survival?
Schonburn: Look, I am a G-d-fearing Jew. I can't explain why I survived. Perhaps G-d was telling me that I still have things that I need to get done in this world. It just wasn't my time to go.
Kahane also spoke with former Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu about the attacks. Netanyahu said that prior to September 11, Israel was alone in fighting terror. However, afterwards he said, "The United States - the Roman Empire of our day - became united with us in our battle." Netanyahu also said that Israel should throw Yasser Arafat out of her midst, the same way the US expelled the Taliban from Afghanistan. "While Israel fights valiantly against those terror cells that seek our destruction, we must expel the foundations of terror, namely Arafat and his regime."