Security
for Israel Comes From
G-D Alone
Prophetic
words of the Lubavitcher Rebbe to the (then) Israeli Transportation
Minister, Moshe Katzav,
Yud Shevat, 5752; January 15,1992,
Moshe
Katzav is now the President of Israel
Translated (from the original Hebrew) by Mordechai Sones
and Yankel Koncepolski
When
the Transportation Minister, Moshe Katzav, was introduced to
the Rebbe, the Rebbe shook his hand (continuing to hold his
hand for the entire duration of the conversation) and blessed
him as follows: `Within the realm of your position, you should
merit to solidify the bond between the Nation of Israel, the
Torah of Israel, and G-D, so that these three should never be
separated.'
The
Rebbe then continued: `I recently heard a strange and frightening
rumor regarding talks and impending decisions on the part of
the Israeli government concerning surrendering parts of the
Land of Israel. They are currently discussing a five year plan
(Madrid talks) which they describe as `autonomy'; In truth,
however, the semantics are meaningless and it makes no difference
how they render the issue, because the plain truth is that these
talks and affairs fall under the explicitly stated Torah prohibition
of not granting favors to the nations, which includes the prohibition
of ceding any part of Eretz Yisroel to the nations of the world.
These talks will eventually lead to the actual surrender of
parts of the Land of Israel. It then follows, that the very
fact of holding such talks constitutes a rejection of G-D and
His Torah, of Eretz Yisroel and the holiness of the Land of
Israel.
Discussions
of autonomy plans are just a prelude to surrendering parts of
Eretz Yisroel - and not just small territories, but rather large
expansive parts such as Judea, Samaria, Gaza, Hevron and Jerusalem
etc. This involves life and death issues! As has been stated,
it is irrelevant what the Jews think, say and how they interpret
this; what matters is how the gentiles understand it. They interpret
the plan as one eventually leading to surrender of parts of
Eretz Yisroel and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
You
understand Arabic, so go and ask the Arabs who live there what
their intention is in discussing a five year autonomy plan.
You will see that they will tell you that their intention is
that they will actually be given parts of Eretz Yisroel for
the purpose of establishing a Palestinian state. It automatically
follows that it is totally irrelevant how the Jews wish to interpret
it because what matters is how the gentiles view the issue.
The
very act of discussing autonomy plans is a desecration of G-Dís
Name and holiness. The fact that there are individual Jews in
Eretz Yisroel who do not keep Torah and Mitzvos relates specifically
to desecrating their personal lives, but here we are discussing
a situation in which the government of Israel will publicly
declare war against G-D and His Torah.
As
to the explanation (of the Likud) that the only matter under
discussion is the limited self-rule, whereby the Arabs will
be in charge of their own education and agriculture etc. but
not foreign affairs and security, and that this is only a trial
period... these are all matters of diplomacy and I shall not
argue with you on this, as it seems that you understand more
on diplomacy than I. However, here we are not discussing diplomacy,
but the surrender of parts of Eretz Yisroel. The very fact that
a negotiation on this is taking place is a desecration of G-Dís
Name and in opposition to G-D and His Torah. It then makes absolutely
no difference what kind of diplomatic icing the Jews put on
top of it.
The
reason which is being given for these talks is that there is
a mass immigration from Russia, and Israel therefore needs Americaís
loan guarantees etc., and we must take into account what the
American government will say -- this consideration is the first
step to giving away land. The proof of this is, that the Likud
themselves state that the reason why they are doing all this
is because of the pressure from the goyim - so afterwards, when
there will be more pressure, they will capitulate further ad
infinitum. We have seen this in the past; buckling under pressure
brings to more pressure.'
(Minister
Katzav remarked that in the previous year President Bush had
sent a letter opposing a Palestinian state, but a year later
Bush just wrote that he was not in favor of a Palestinian state,
so we see here a change of stance.)
The
Rebbe responded: `And we see in which direction the change
is headed.'
It
is unfathomable that a Jew who believes in G-D and His Torah
could be a party to such actions, or could add his signature
to such an arrangement. Likewise, it is preferable that the
(Shamir) government should fall and there should not be a Jewish
government, since the only reason they are even discussing these
plans is because of pressure from the nations (as they themselves
admit.) This being the case, it would be preferable that they
establish -- G-D forbid -- a non-Jewish government in Eretz
Yisroel who will from the outset decide what to do with Eretz
Yisroel - at least then there will not be Jews signing on such
agreements!
You
certainly know Mr. Menachem Begin who at the outset did not
agree with the Camp David ideas and was strongly against them.
Eventually, however, he began to make compromises, and from
what we hear today, he has great remorse over having given up
a part of the Land of Israel. `Had it been people who do not
believe in G-D who were responsible for this, it would be possible
to understand. But that the signature for abandoning parts of
Eretz Yisroel should emanate from Jews who believe in G-D -
this is a desecration of His Name.
Shamir
believes in G-D and in the holiness of the Land of Israel -
so it is completely mind-boggling that he should be the one
to agree to negotiate on a plan whose eventual outcome is the
surrendering of parts of Eretz Yisroel `Security of the Land
of Israel comes from G-D alone, and if they would act accordingly
and stand firmly as the hour dictates, there would not be any
reason to worry about the safety of Eretz Yisroel.
Meanwhile,
they only speak of a five year interim period because they are
afraid to openly state that they want to give up parts of Eretz
Yisroel, but their true intentions are clear. According to my
estimation, Shamir himself knows this - and better than I.
Shamir
has many merits in connection with the land of Israel which
go back to the time of the Irgun, when the gentiles had control
over Eretz Yisroel. Shamir fought against this; now it is he
who speaks of giving away parts of Eretz Yisroel!
In
my opinion, what practically must be done now is for Shamir
to immediately halt the decision and negotiations on autonomy.
I
always fought for a Shamir government, as I did everything within
my power so that a government be established with Shamir as
its head - however, if they will continue in this direction
of negotiations then I, Menachem Mendel, will be the first to
fight with all my forcefulness and might against Shamir so that
his government will fall. `Up until today it has only been Mr.
Shimon Peres against Shamirís government, but if Shamir continues
in this direction negotiating about autonomy, then I too will
be against the government of Shamir.
If
Shamir is unable to stand the pressure of the goyim, let him
publicly declare that he cannot withstand the pressure and is
unable to continue as Prime Minister.
As
I have said many times in the past, a shamir is Biblically known
as a worm which cuts through hard stone - so let Shamir release
a shamir into the decision to speak about these matters of giving
up parts of the Land of Israel. Then the decision and all thought
of such matters will be hewn and totally nullified, ceasing
to exist.'
Minister
Moshe Katzav: `The Rebbe shlita is the one who established
the present government, and we would like the continued blessing
of the Rebbe for this government which will add holiness to
the government.'
The
Rebbe: `When Shamir will add holiness to Eretz Yisroel,
the he will gain the strength to stand against all the pressures.'
Minister
Moshe Katzav: `Shamir will surely be strong.'
The
Rebbe: `Until now he has been strong, and we must therefore
see to it that they immediately cease all talk about autonomy.'
You
will surely relate all this to Mr. Shamir and not be angry with
me for placing such an unpleasant task upon you. Relay this
with all the forcefulness with which I have said it to you.
I apologize for speaking such harsh words, because in truth
this is a matter that needs to be discussed at greater length,
but now is not the time to go into it further (approximately
10,000 Jews and non-Jews were waiting in the cold for a precious
moment with the Rebbe.)
May
there be only good news to relate and may they only discuss
the holiness of Eretz Yisroel and Am Yisroel. May there be good
news.'
