Local ZOA organization meets
with Pennsylvania security chief


By Julian Walker
Times Staff Writer

The Zionist Organization of America exists to act as an advocacy agent for the plight of Israel and Jews worldwide.
Founded in 1897, the group lobbied for the creation of a sovereign Israeli state for more than 50 years before it became a reality in 1948.
Since that time, the nation has constantly had to ward off attacks — conventional, guerrilla and terrorist — from hostile neighbors who covet its land.
At the ZOA Greater Philadelphia District quarterly meeting last week, much of the talk was about national security, both in America and Israel.
Both countries have a seeming common enemy in the form of radical Muslims — many of whom hail from Middle Eastern countries that have and continue to target Israel.
Keith Martin, Pennsylvania’s director of homeland security, spoke at the session about the increased need for vigilance in light of terrorist attacks against both countries.
"The bad guys will not go away. They are counting on us to quit," said Martin, a Vietnam War veteran and longtime television journalist from the Scranton area who was appointed to his current post by Gov. Ed Rendell in February 2003. "We believe the people of Pennsylvania are our best offense and defense."
In that role, Martin "coordinates all elements of the public and private sector homeland security effort in the state."
That includes regular consultations with law enforcement and military officials as well as elected leaders.
There is also a citizen component to the challenge of defending our borders. Just as police rely on tips, so too do security officials in need of information from regular folks.
"In our war against terror, there is no reason for (people) to be alarmed, just alert," he said.
The public can visit the state homeland-security Web site (www.homeland security.state.pa.us) for constant updates about ways to assist law enforcement. If citizens notice something unusual or suspicious, they are advised to call the Pennsylvania State Police terrorism tip line at 888-292-1990.
Also appearing before the group, for likely the last time, was Israeli consul general Giora Becher.
For the past four years, Becher has served as an envoy of the Israeli government in this region of the United States. His territory includes South Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia.
In those states, Becher served as an "emissary of the government of Israel to this region to press Israel’s government business, to promote its interests in the region and to strengthen the ties between Israeli people and American people."
Becher has been a fixture in the local Jewish community, often appearing at ZOA functions and events and rallies about solidarity with Israel and other functions pertaining to Jewish life and Hebrew culture. oo