Netanya - the toll of terror.

When Palestinian terror attacks hit Israel most Jews, and many Christians, agonize over the dead and the injured.

The sympathy and prayers are heartfelt and concern is genuine. In two years of constant murderous attacks the trigger to most of the outpouring of sentiment was the Passover Massacre executed by Palestinian terrorists at the Park Hotel in Netanya. This horrendous and evil act of mass murder was carried out on mainly poor and elderly victims gathered for the traditional feast that celebrates the Jewish peoples journey from affliction and persecution to nationhood in a land we can call our own.

Huge sums of money poured into the coffers of major organizations as a result of the shock felt in the aftermath of the Netanya event. Hundreds of millions of dollars were raised for the victims of terror. Yet the Netanya residents saw little of this money. If only ten percent of the three hundred million dollars reportedly raised by the United Jewish Community had arrived in Netanya there would be no need for the formation of Netanya Terror Victims Fund, a grassroots voluntary group to answer the unresolved needs of survivors and victims families in Netanya. Netanya terror victims are the forgotten victims of terror.

People and groups did step up to the plate and help the unfortunate Israeli victims of the current Palestinian policy of terror. However, there are many more supporters of Israel whose response is lip service and sympathy where 'tachles' (practical help) would be much more useful. Israel did not show lip service to the captured Jews in Entebbe years ago. We sent our finest to rescue them and bring them safely home. Israel did not express sympathy to the fourteen thousand Ethiopian Jews caught in the crossfire of a civil war. We sent men and equipment to airlift them out of their war-torn country one night in 'Operation Moses'.

Israel did not send condolences to the starving of Rwanda, or the earthquake victims of Turkey. We were among the first on the scene with our medical crews and tented hospitals. Because of this, there is a certain sense of disappointment by communities for whom adopting a terror victim means sending letters of sympathy and support, when she is unable to maintain her children in kindergarten, or pay for urgent household repairs. Letters of sympathy do little practical good to trauma patients who need encouragement and support in adopting new vocational skills in an effort to rehabilitate them back into having useful lives.

Solidarity missions have come to Israel this year, and their visit has been appreciated by a country that feels itself deserted by those who profess to love us. Many of these missions failed to include Netanya in their itinerary, preferring to base themselves in the luxury hotels of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Why is it that, this Succoth, over two thousand Christian pilgrims are currently touring Israel, yet fellow Jews have stayed away? Succoth is usually a time when Netanya is packed with tourists. Vacation apartments and hotels are full, and local businesses take the profits of this season to see them through the winter. A local Hebrew newspaper has reported, this week, on the occupancy figures of Netanya hotels this Succoth. Here are some of their findings:

Park Hotel - 3 Metropole - none

Carmel Hotel - 5 Jeremy - closed

Blue Weiss - 5 Seasons - single figures

Grand Yahalom - none Blue Bay - closed

A total of thirty tourists occupy the Galil, Residence, and Goldar hotels. Restaurants and shops are empty. The famous Midrahov of Netanya resembles a ghost town. Netanya, a town dependant on tourism, is in danger of economic collapse.

The immediate and urgent victims of terror are those who have lost loved ones, those who are broken in body or mind, who are incapable, physically or financially, to put their shattered lives back together.

But the toll of terror digs deep into all aspects of a town to include the waitresses and kitchen staff of hotels and cafes, the reception and maintenance staff of local hotels, the shop owners, the real estate offices, the taxi drivers, the suppliers. Netanya, as a result of twelve attacks in two years that has killed fifty of its citizens and injured hundreds, is a dying town. Dying as a result of Palestinian terror. Dying as a result of those who profess to love us - but do not support us.