Dear friends, I am writing to present a problem I have with an article appearing in the past (Aug 19, 2005) issue of the Jewish Times - “Jewish Terror Fiend Killed by Mob Justice,” written by ‘Winter.’ While I agree with the overall conclusion the author reaches - namely, that the Arab and world press greatly distort the truth in their efforts to slander a particular group (the Jews) - I take issue with how the author portrayed the subject of the article: the unfortunate death (and preceding actions) of Eden Natan-Zada.

Throughout the article, Natan-Zada is referred to as “mentally disturbed,” “stupid,” and “sick”; a man who went on a “murder binge” in “defiance of the planned pull out of Gaza.” Such treatment of Natan-Zada’s actions and death - which we know very little about, despite the numerous reports from the world press “claiming” otherwise - is, I feel, unwarranted and unbecoming of individuals who care deeply for the dignity of another human being, and for the truth. While virtually all reports were quick to paint Natan-Zada as a terrorist, an extremist, a psychopath - the truth is that we don’t know even the most basic facts of what happened on that sad day. All we know is that five individuals wound up dead. How they died is a mystery; how can we jump to the conclusion that the act was premeditated, murderous, or even politically motivated? With Nataz-Zada lynched by a mob, dead and unable to defend himself - and with his name, and his family’s name, being dragged through the mud by a press which is so eager to vilify the Jews - how can we not act like menschen to a fellow Jew, and give him the benefit of the doubt? For all we know, the act was entirely in self-defense; certainly, no facts have been brought to light, which openly contradict this view of Nataz-Zada’s actions. For a clearer look at our ignorance as to what actually happened on that sad, sad day, I refer you to the following article which appeared on the Arutz-7 news site, by Jared Israel: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/article.php3?id=5430

It is my hope that we may treat the actions of those who are now dead with care and consideration, and not give ourselves over to hasty judgments and unwarranted conclusions - and thereby bring no shame to ourselves.

B’Ahavas Yisrael,

Gil Kobrin