By COLlive reporter
In an interview set to be published in the upcoming Tishrei issue of the COLlive Magazine, Rabbi Yosef Gutnick speaks about the need for the Israeli government to continue its military operations even with the United States and other countries calling for a ceasefire.
Rabbi Gutnick, the Australian business magnate who holds the title ‘Special Shliach of the Rebbe for the Integrity of the Land of Israel,’ believes that his friend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has some accounting and apologizing to do.
“He needs to find a way to atone for past mistakes, especially regarding Hamas and the way they were treated over the years,” Gutnick said in a phone conversation from his home in Melbourne, from where he shuttles to his second home in Jerusalem.
While Netanyahu was in office, Gutnick points out, the Hamas regime was able to build an underground city with tunnels and launched countless rockets at the Holy Land with nary a response that would deprive them of these capabilities.
But although we are about to enter the 10 Days of Teshuva, between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, during which such accounting is typically done, Gutnick said that the day of reckoning isn’t now. Right now, Netanyahu has a job to do.
“Netanyahu, thank G-d, is standing strong on many important issues in the military campaign in Gaza—especially with the Philadelphi Corridor, which has become fertile ground for cooperation between Egypt and Hamas, aiding in the smuggling of weapons through tunnels and other means connected to this corridor.
“The hope is that this strong stance will not falter for even a moment,” Gutnick added. “Let’s hope he won’t make any more mistakes or be forced into compromises.” Gutnick quoted what Rav Yehuda Hanasi said (Avodah Zarah 10b) about second chances, “One can acquire their world in one moment.”
Ignoring Pressure
As the U.S. elections approach, both presidential candidates are urging Israel to end the war. Rabbi Gutnick recalls the Rebbe’s strong stance against halting operations midway. During the First Lebanon War, the Rebbe emphasized that defending the Holy Land and its people was a great merit, with soldiers risking their lives and deserving open miracles.
The Rebbe prayed that leaders fulfill their sacred duty and complete military operations. He warned, “Do not stop in the middle of surgery!” Using an analogy, the Rebbe compared halting military action to a coward asking doctors to pause surgery at the sight of blood—an absurd idea in both cases. He stressed that once the operation begins, it must be finished.
The Rebbe added that after past wars, some wanted to stop operations to consult international opinions, Rabbi Gutnick said. He warned this approach had already caused great harm. Despite the ongoing conflict, some still think pausing is wise, but the Rebbe argued this only leads to more suffering. He said responsibility rests on leaders to complete the mission, just as past failures—like the Yom Kippur War—caused unnecessary loss.
And there is one more thing to focus on, according to Rabbi Gutnick.
“Alongside the ‘turn away from evil,’ we must also engage in ‘do good,’ especially now. Netanyahu has a historic opportunity for the Jewish people to continue the momentum of building the settlement in Judea, Samaria, and Jerusalem, ensuring that the State of Israel becomes a strong and stable country. The more we build in Judea and Samaria, the more security we provide for the Land of Israel, and the more protected it will be.
“I received a directive from the Rebbe that I must actively work to promote settlement,” Rabbi Gutnick added. “And now, precisely during the Gaza and northern military campaigns, this is the right time—to show our enemies that those who sought to harm us will face not only a full-force attack but also a deepening of our hold on the Land of Israel, which was given to us by G-d.”
VIDEO
Rabbi Gutnick interviewed on Real Talk with Hadassah Chen on Israel National News
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Most important is to listen to military advisers just as the Rebbe said to listen to professional doctors for medical advice.
…their advice is based strictly on military or medical factors, without political or other biases. Sadly, in neither field is that always the case.
Drop a copy at his door 😉
I was sincerely hoping for a while now, that some official spokesman would approach Bibi and Defense Minister Gallant to give them REASSURANCE and ENCOURAGEMENT , to continue their holy work of defending our G-D given LAND by eliminating the evil enemies WITHOUT CEASING FIRE! Standing STRONG through the PRESSURE of the United States and their kronies, takes courage, pride and steadfastness.. Keep up the Good Work, Bibi and Gallant etc. ONLY through STRENGTH, with the help of Hashem will we persevere! We are forever indebted to the Angels in Green, our heroic soldiers who give their lives up for… Read more »
Yosef Gutnik should remind Bibi that in 2006 Rabbi Groner obm was part of a delegation to then PM Ariel Sharon trying to impress upon him the folly of “disengaging” from Gaza. Sharon’s govt. didn’t listen and that led to the situation of today. If Bibi wants to win the war, he should listen. If Bibi wants to do the right thing, he should listen. If he’s concerned about his legacy, he should listen. Bring a fully-sourced course of action based on the Rebbe’s teachings. It’s not enough to generally babble about standing strong.