American-Israeli Community Hit Hard With Murder Of Ari Fuld

By | September 17, 2018

By Joel Leyden
Israel News Agency

Jerusalem, Israel — September 17, 2018 … Israel is one Jewish nation. But it does consist of several vibrant communities within. We have the Russian, the Ethiopian, the Iraqi, Yemen, German, American, secular and ultra orthodox religious.

Unlike the native born Israeli – the Sabra – Americans who move or make “Aliyah” to Israel are a very strong, creative and independent breed.

They have walked away from an easy life in the US where having a disposal income is the norm. Most have not grown up in Israel having entered grade school with fellow Israelis who are able to provide a natural support system for them. That’s called Protexia or “protection”.

Ari Fuld was an American Israeli. He was one of our finest.

He served in an IDF combat unit – an elite member of the Paratroopers. He was an observant Jew who studied and taught Torah. He believed in self defense, secured a Karate black belt and taught young children to defend themselves.

Ari advocated for the Israeli soldier – doing all he could to make their life of a higher quality while serving. He was a loving husband and father of four young children.

This New York born native, died as he lived – defending Israel.

Ari was not in uniform. Rather he was just taking care of every day chores preparing for Yom Kippur as he stood outside the shopping mall in Efrat.

An Islamic terrorist approached him from the back. If this terrorist had the nerve to openly confront Ari, it would have been the terrorist that was buried. Rather, as the weak coward that he is, the Arab terrorist stabbed Ari several times in the back and attempted to run off.

In pain and weakened, Ari turned around and gave chase, jumping over obstacles as he reached for his gun. He took a classic shooting stance and got off a few rounds – enough lead to stop the terrorist from taking more lives.

Ari Fuld knew the meaning of being a victim and was not going to become one.

American Israelis move to Israel for several reasons. But perhaps the most noted is that we will not allow another Holocaust to manifest itself anywhere in the world. We will no longer allow any person and or organization to turn us into a victim.

American Israelis know they are taking a risk living on the front line of democracy in the Middle East. They face Islamic Holy War – Jihad – on a daily basis. Confronting rockets from Hezbollah in Lebanon, terror tunnels dug by Hamas in Gaza and knives in Jerusalem.

Whether in uniform or in jeans, American-Israelis will not run from it.

Josh Hasten, who said he had known Fuld for about a decade, said his friend traveled widely to showcase “the beauty and reality of life” in the country.

“Ari was born and raised in the US but his family has been in the country for over 20 years,” said Hasten.  “So while he spoke perfect English and didn’t have an accent, he was Israeli in that he was completely integrated into society.  His Hebrew was just like any Israelis and of course, Ari was a proud soldier in the paratroopers unit of the IDF. He fought in the Second Lebanon War in 2006, and as one of his family members shared at his funeral, he was miraculously saved when his protective vest absorbed the shrapnel from an enemy explosive device.”

Hasten added: “But what was so special about Ari was the fact that during all of his waking hours (and there is no way that he slept much), his purpose in life was to defend the Jewish People in the Land of Israel. Whether it was in the IDF, serving in the reserves (another story shared at the funeral was that several years ago the army sent him his discharge orders, since he was over 40, but he literally shredded them, and continued to serve till his death), or serving as a volunteer first-responder on the Efrat community’s emergency response team, Ari was physically a defender of Israel.”

“At the same time Ari was at the forefront of the other battle here in Israel – the battle of ideas. Ari was an avid pro-Israel activist and was well-known for being a top notch public diplomacy personality. He wasn’t in the government, and didn’t have an official title, but as a volunteer, DAILY, he would use all the tools at his disposal to share Israel’s story with the world. Whether during tough times – being the first at the scene of a terror attack to report the truth, or in good times – sharing the beauty of the country and its holy sites, Ari was there.”

“He lived a hero and died a hero,” said Fuld’s brother, Hillel Fuld.

Ari Fuld’s bullets were not aimed at one Arab, Islamic terrorist. They were targeted at every human being who embraces genocide, anti-semitism and hate.

Now it is the job of the Israeli police, the IDF and Israel’s INTEL community to avenge this murder. It is the responsibility of the US government as well to address incitement and violence in Israel- as Ari was a proud American citizen. Closing the offices of the PLO in Washington was a good start.

 

 

In seeking an effective, immediate response, the Israeli government should transcend demolishing the family house of an Islamic, Arab terrorist. Rather – they should go for the head of the snake – demolish the house of Iran, a government which feeds this hate, violence and Jihad on a daily basis.

Whether though assassination or the use of F-16’s – we will see a response.

In doing so, we need to thank the Israeli security services … and every American living in and out of Israel that supports an undivided Jerusalem as our ancient, biblical, historical, religious, legal and cultural home.

 

Please make a donation to Ari’s family: www.gofundme.com/ari-fuld

 

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