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OVERSEAS YOUTH CONNECT WITH ISRAELI SOLDIERS VIA MAIL
 Over 9,000 personal letters to Israeli soldiers have been received from Jewish children, youth and students in response to a worldwide campaign initiated by the Jewish Agency to give Diaspora youth the opportunity to connect and identify with Israel's soldiers. The letters, which came from Jewish communities on five continents, were written in English, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, and French as well as Hebrew. These letters, received via the mail, fax, and email, were placed into individual envelopes and delivered to soldiers through IDF representatives. David Saunders from the UK was one of many Christian friends who also wrote to express support. Referring to the rally in London's Trafalgar Square that he had just attended, Saunders writes: "Nearly 60,000 people attended from all over the UK. It was a privilege to stand with you in your struggle to-day; my own weapon available to me is prayer - that the politicians, peacemakers and your own initiatives will succeed in bringing you peace, many of us pray for this; but how can this be when Arafat does not seem to want peace. I pray that his heart will change or he be removed from his position and that real progress for peace will come to you. Your God is a great and mighty God. . . . . . I am very sorry for the distortion that other nations and the media put on the news of this conflict. I am sorry too for my country not standing by you 60 years ago. I love to think that that would never happen again and that this nation especially would stand by you and your own brave action as highly trained and disciplined soldiers from day to day. . . . . . May you find encouragement in your daily work for the love of Israel and be assured there are many in UK who wish you well too. Simon Berry, another Christain wrote, "I have just returned home from the Israel Solidarity rally in Trafalgar Square, London. I am so grateful for the privilege of being able to attend the rally and to stand in support of Israel in her hour of need." A number of hate letters have also been received.
Letters my be sent (handwritten or typed) to: Letter for an Israeli Soldier, The Jewish Agency for Israel, 633 Third Avenue 21st Floor, New York, NY 10017
All letter writers should include their name and address to allow the soldiers to answer.
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