Dear all,

I hope you are well. I am writing to you all as participants on the Machar programme with some sad news. Over the past 17 months our TV screens and newspapers have been dominated by events taking place in Israel. All too regularly we are confronted by images and stories of the death of another Israeli as a result of a vicious and sickening attack. Whether it is a 6 week old baby or a 60 year old man we often feel a sense of loss and pain as if we had lost a member of our own family. Yet having said this, it was not until this past weekend that I was ever faced with the news that someone who I had come into personal combat with had had their life snatched away cruelly and unnecessarily.

I am sure you will recall the news on Sunday that 10 Israeli soldiers had been killed at an IDF outpost in Ofra on the West bank by a Palestinian sniper. Those of you who know the story in more detail will
be aware of the fact that one of those who lost their life was a paramedic who came in after the shooting had stopped to save the lives of those who had been shot, but as he moved in, was gunned down and killed himself. This paramedic was Yochai Porat, the coordinator of the Magen David adom programme who spoke to us in Tel Aviv in December - he was on his milouim service.

We spent less than an hour that day with Yochai, yet on receiving the news of his death I experienced a feeling that I have never felt before. To see the images on TV and read the stories in the newspaper about our brethren loosing their lives is one thing, to read an article or watch reports about the murder of someone who you recall so vividly talking with is another. Having seen how much good Yochai did not only for Israeli's, but all those in need, his death is a tragic example of the waste of life that is continuing in the Middle East.

In memory of Yochai Porat Z''L, may we pray for peace in our beloved Israel and that those responsible for his death are brought to justice.

Alan

Alan Senitt
UJS Chairperson