In the days following September 11, 2001, many foreign nationals paid homage to New York's victims by laying wreaths and writing inscriptions in memorial books. Among those paying their respects and offering condolences were a large number of Israeli visitors and ex-patriots who, whether individually or collectively, had already experienced several decades of terrorist atrocities. While the collapse of the twin towers was indeed a uniquely momentous event – a horrific spectacular carried out on the world's largest stage – the Israeli New Yorkers had already witnessed the essence of this horror before. They had smelled the smoke and witnessed the carnage. They had seen such devastation and destruction – the bodies, the families, the loss, the death, and the bereaved. They had already buried many victims of terrorism and embraced many survivors. No one could have been more sympathetic to New Yorkers on that fateful day.

One Hebrew inscription attached to a wreath sticks in the mind. Summoning up the words of the prophet Jeremiah, one anonymous Israeli in the crowd wrote of her pre-September 11 American friends: “they had eyes, but could not see.” A week later, former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed similar sentiments when addressing the US Congress. He said America had received a wake-up call from hell. His words were received with loud, unanimous applause by members of the House.