Rallying their cause

Bryce Alderton

Shouts in support of Israel filled the air around South Coast Plaza

Sunday afternoon as advocates against terrorism gathered in what Costa

Mesa police deemed a peaceful rally.

About 1,000 supporters, some waving American and Israeli flags, joined

together to support Israel in its latest battle with the Palestinians,

the United States’ war on terrorism and the continued relationship

between the U.S. and Israel.

“We need to support the Bush doctrine to root out the evil of

terrorism and the evil taking place in the world,” said Nurite Grunfeld,

referring to President Bush’s notion that one sides with either the U.S.

or with the terrorists.

“I’m in support of Israel, the U.S., democracy, freedom of speech and

freedom of the press,” said Grunfeld, a Los Angeles resident who attended

the rally with husband Jeff and their three daughters. “We need to

support allies that have systems of democracy like Israel. I’m fed up

with the homicide bombings and the legitimization of [Yasser] Arafat.

There’s no excuse for terrorism. It’s not a valid form of expression.”

There have been about 110 suicide bombings in the last 18 months of

conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

Secretary of State Colin Powell met with Arafat, the Palestinian

leader, for three hours Sunday. They spent about a third of the meeting

centering on the recent suicide bombings and Powell’s claim that they

have to stop in order to make headway in the negotiations toward peace.

However, Arafat said he has upheld his promise, but said Israel must

also withdraw its troops from the West Bank. On Saturday, Arafat released

a statement condemning terrorism against civilians.

The Grunfelds joined about 1,000 Israeli supporters for Sunday’s rally

organized by several organizations including the Middle East Reporting In

Truth, Stand With Us, We Are For Israel Now, Orange County Jewish

Federation, area synagogues and churches and the Council of

Iranian-Jewish Organizations, said Anaheim Hills resident Mike Harari.

“We’re showing support for Israeli and American policies against

terrorism,” Harari said. “It’s a parallel struggle against terrorism;

there’s no difference. This serves as an awareness of terrorism going on

by Palestinians against the Israelis.”

Harari said the groups chose South Coast Plaza for their protest site

because more people would be out to notice it. They also chose Sunday, as

opposed to Saturday, because Jews are supposed to rest on Saturday, their

Sabbath day.

* Bryce Alderton is the news assistant. He may be reached at (949)

574-4298 or by e-mail at o7 bryce.alderton@latimes.comf7 .