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On September 11 2001, four airplanes on USA domestic flights were hijacked by Al Queida terrorists and crashed within less than 90 minutes. Two crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, one onto the Pentagon and one crashed into a field in the State of Pennsylvania, after the passengers on the plane managed to thwart the hijackers intentions. Thousands of people were killed in this act of terror.
A year later, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon made a speech at a solidarity ceremony with the American people and the families of the victims.
Below are excerpts from this speech:
"A year has passed since September 11th when the clock of history stood still at the World Trade Center in New York, at the Pentagon in Washington and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. A year has passed since the assault by the forces of terror and evil, an assault, which claimed the lives of thousands of innocent civilians, and sowed unprecedented and massive destruction. An assault which positioned the strategic threat of terror to the values, culture and very existence of Western democratic society at the core of world awareness...
I recall one unforgettable image from that day: amid the sirens, destruction and smoke which engulfed the City of New York immediately following the collapse of the towers, a camera lens captured the Statue of Liberty and her Torch - symbols of the spirit of America -standing steadfast.
On this day we stand together with the -American people: we remember, grieve and will never forget."
Gidi Marinsky
Research Israel Philatelic Service
