The horrific events of September 11th, 2001, are etched into the memories of millions worldwide. Amidst the widespread shock and grief, some eyewitness accounts raised questions that continue to linger. One such account from a New Jersey resident sparked an investigation into a group of young Israeli men and their possible connection to Israeli intelligence, focusing on their seemingly unusual behavior as the World Trade Center towers burned.
From her apartment building in New Jersey, Maria, whose last name was withheld for privacy, had a clear view of the World Trade Center. On that fateful morning, a call from a neighbor drew her attention to the unfolding tragedy across the river. Grabbing her binoculars, Maria watched the devastation in lower Manhattan. However, amidst the chaos and destruction, something else captured her attention and raised immediate red flags about a group of individuals seemingly celebrating the catastrophe.
Maria’s Suspicious Observation
Maria recounted observing three young men on the roof of a white van parked in her apartment building’s parking lot. According to Maria’s testimony, these men were not reacting with shock or horror to the unfolding events. Instead, “They seemed to be taking a movie,” she stated. This wasn’t just passive observation; Maria detailed that the men were actively filming or photographing themselves with the burning World Trade Center as a backdrop. It was their demeanor that struck Maria as deeply unsettling. “They were like happy, you know … They didn’t look shocked to me. I thought it was very strange,” she explained.
এতটাই disturbed by what she witnessed, Maria took decisive action. She recorded the license plate number of the van and promptly contacted the police. Her call set in motion a chain of events that quickly involved the FBI, leading to a statewide alert being issued for the white van and its occupants.
The Arrest and Questioning
Later that afternoon, at approximately 4 p.m. on September 11th, the van was located on a service road near Giants Stadium off Route 3 in New Jersey. A police officer initiated a traffic stop and discovered five men inside, ranging in age from 22 to 27. The officers, with weapons drawn, ordered the men out of the vehicle and placed them in handcuffs.
The subsequent arrest and search of the van revealed several details that heightened the officers’ suspicions. One of the men was found to be concealing $4,700 in cash inside his sock. Another was in possession of two foreign passports. Adding to the intrigue, a box cutter was discovered in the van. However, the most significant revelation came when the five men identified themselves as Israeli citizens.
Suspicious Findings and Statements
The police report detailed a particularly telling exchange. One of the passengers reportedly informed the officers that they had been on the West Side Highway in Manhattan “during the incident,” referring to the World Trade Center attack. Furthermore, Sivan Kurzberg, identified as the driver of the van, made a statement that further fueled suspicions. According to the report, Kurzberg stated, “We are Israeli. We are not your problem. Your problems are our problems. The Palestinians are the problem.” The other men in the van were identified as Paul Kurzberg, Yaron Shmuel, Oded Ellner, and Omer Marmari.
The incident of the “dancing Israelis” remains a controversial and debated topic within the broader narrative of 9/11. While official reports and investigations have offered explanations, the initial eyewitness account and the subsequent findings continue to fuel questions and speculation regarding the true nature and intentions of these individuals on that pivotal day.
