Last week, seven people were murdered when Palestinian terrorists exploded a bomb at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Among the victims was Marla Bennett, who I knew well from my time as a student activist in Berkeley. All those who knew Marla will remember her for her kindness, her integrity, and her devotion to the nation and the land of Israel. Words cannot express my shock at Marla's death.

Matthew Eisenfeld, Sara Duker, Alisa Flatow, David Boim -- the names of these young American victims of Palestinian terrorism have long been seared in my memory. I am familiar with their stories. In law school I studied their families' cases against Iran and Hamas. I assisted in one of the lawsuits. And I have felt sadness and anger over each of their tragic fates. But now that Marla Bennett is added to the list, the anger and sadness turns to grief and shock. Whereas I would once have had the strength to discuss politics and ideology after such an attack, I now lack that strength, and am unable to concentrate on anything but the victim, who is no longer a story to be imagined in my mind, but a flesh and blood memory.

I believed that Marla made the proper decision when she chose to remain in Israel. My view has not changed. But the shock of Marla's death shattered the confidence I needed to express that view. Only when the shock lifts will I be able to begin to put together the shards of that confidence.

I do have enough confidence left, however, to know one thing. Those responsible for Marla's death must be held accountable. The murder of American citizens is a crime under American law. The United States must demand the extradition of all those who are legally responsible: those who carried out the attack, those who planned it, and those who provided material support.

Nor can we forgive those who bear moral responsibility. Less than two weeks after Matthew Eisenfeld and Sara Duker were murdered, along with two dozen others, when terrorists bombed the number eighteen bus in Jerusalem, a rally was held in Berkeley which called for more murders of Jews. A tenured professor attended that rally. We can not forget that within our midst there are people who support terrorism, and we must bring this to light.

In April a petition was published which called for a boycott of ties with Israeli Academics. Over one thousand academics have signed it or similar petitions. Then, a month ago, two board members of an academic journal were fired for the sole reason that they were employed by an Israeli University. These attempts to de-legitimize contact with and incite hatred against Israeli Universities cannot be viewed as isolated from the bombing of the Hebrew University. Those who signed and those who supported these petitions bear a degree of responsibility for Marla's death, and this we may not forget.



May he who brings peace in the heavens bring peace upon us and all of Israel.



Alan D. Miller, Esq.