ADDRESS BY TZIPORA COHEN,
SURVIVOR OF THE SEPTEMBER 2003 SUICIDE BOMBING IN JERUSALEM

To be presented to the General Assembly of the Disciples of Christ, in response to the proposed Resolution 0522 against Israel’s Security Fence.

Dear Delegates

In an ideal world we wouldn't need gates around our properties, locks on our front doors, or security checks at the airport. But reality isn't always pleasant - and parents must protect their children, people must protect their properties, and countries must protect their citizens…

When I hear the words 'tear down the wall'- I hear exploding cafes, buses blowing up, and other sounds I could not put into words. When I see people (of faith) uniting to bring down the one thing that can prevent more innocent people being killed or permanently scarred from mass killings, I am personally offended, and pained to say the least.

Allow me to share my own experience with Israeli reality just 2 summers ago:

It was just 5 days into my Summer vacation to Israel, and - although many of my friends expressed surprise at my going at a time of escalated violence - I kept telling myself to look at all the Israeli's going about their everyday activities and live like them - and live like them I did - only more than I had ever expected to.

On Tuesday evening, Sept. 9th, 2003, myself and 2 friends headed out for Cafe Hillel in the German Colony of Jerusalem for a late dinner. Being all safe and precautious as usual, we took a taxi over there. It was a beautiful, balmy night, and so we had the taxi leave us a block or so from the cafe and leisurely strolled our way there. As we approached, we noted that the outside seating area was quite populated and unanimously agreed that we didn't think it safe to sit outside. Sadly, security guards checking bags is now routine at most Israeli venues and many cafes. In fact, we only felt comfortable eating out at a cafe that had a security guard, and so - already prepared - we opened our bags for the heroic security guard to check them.

We sat towards the back of the cafe, in a line on a couch-like seat that was against the back wall, really just relaxing, observing, and making small-talk. It was the quintessential calm before the storm.

Not too long after having picked at my salad, and sipped maybe 1/3 of my coffee, the entire place just exploded in what felt like a huge electric shock, shattering everything around us - and sending everything flying. Everything went black.

I cannot even describe the noise because it must have been so loud and piercing that it went right through me, and out of me, either that, or so deep into me that I no longer can hear it. But it is the silence which followed that I cannot forget. The split-second in which the world seems to end and you are not actually sure you are there, until you are awakened by what follows; piercing screams and cries - life and death so brazenly side by side...

In the days that followed, many called to say they had heard the 'bad news' of my being in Cafe Hillel, and following that in hospital, but I just want to point out the 'good news' of how blessed I am to be standing here today. Not everyone in that cafe was as lucky as I, not everyone in every suicide attack in Israel is as fortunate as I, and I honestly cannot explain why I was spared and saved in more than one miraculous way. Perhaps just to share my story in an effort to make people outside the walls of Israel understand but a little of what Israeli's endure on a daily basis.

My friends and I were lucky not to be knocked unconscious still even with my back literally against the wall, the one place I was hit by shrapnel was precisely in my back. Upon examination, the doctors could not stop exclaiming how fortunate I am that the shrapnel entered but an inch or so from my spine, where obviously - had it hit, the results would have been devastating. The shrapnel covered a significant distance on entry - over 12 centimeters deep - and the mere fact that it missed my stomach, abdomen and many other crucial organs was miraculous to say the least.

After the surgery, I recovered well physically, thank G-d, but the physical and emotional scars I am left with will surely last a lifetime.

For the rest of my life I will walk around with painful reminders of what I have experienced often interfering with everyday activities - but nothing pains me more than to watch the world stand by, having the opportunity to help prevent more of such atrocities, and not doing so.

I beg of you to take a stand against terror - tear down the walls of misunderstanding - and realize that it could have been any one of us; that by tearing down the security wall you will literally be forcing thousands of innocent people to walk in the line of immediate danger - every day.

I came a long way to share my story simply because of how important this issue is to me it disturbs me to think that anyone may want to tear down a wall that can prevent more of the same suicide bombings I experienced.

I do not want to deliver any political message simply to implore of well-meaning people as yourselves that you become aware of how many innocent lives the security wall has saved and will continue to save, with your help.

I'm not only concerned, but also surprised that you would venture to pass such a resolution without even seeking to first engage or get to know the Israeli perspective.

Moreover, having spent significant time at the convention today and having met so many wonderful, humanitarian people -, it shocks me to think there would be any among you who would want to tear down a wall that will literally empower terrorists and kill thousands more innocent people.

And, as upsetting as it can sometimes be to recall the events I endured, I want you to know that I am available to share my experiences if you'd like to ask any questions, and I would really welcome the opportunity to speak to the entire convention.

I hope you can make it happen.