B”H
26th of Elul, 5771
Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu,
I write this letter with the hope that you will read it with an open heart and mind. Please do.
In your speech at the United Nations, you eloquently explained how all previous “peace deals” brought about only terror and bloodshed. You pointed out how the PA is not a partner for peace. Then, you went on to proclaim that you’re ready to speak peace with the above partner, if they are only willing. In addition, you even announced the results of those negotiations: the ceding of parts of the Land of Israel. Those same lands which you had just shown in your speech – by giving them away – would endanger the lives of the citizens of Israel.
If there is anything that the government in Israel should have learned over the years, it is that concessions and offers of concessions – lead to pressure and more concessions, then more pressure and more concessions. In no way is this a means of gaining respect in the world. Not only does this approach not forestall pressure, but it only increases it tenfold.
Imagine this: A burglar attempts to strike at the homeowner of the house he is burglarizing; the victim defends himself, ejects the burglar from his home, and leaves him whimpering on his front lawn; the victim then taps his assailant on the shoulder and asks if he would like his weapon back on condition that he promise not to use it again; the former burglar yells back in no uncertain terms that he will never agree to cease using his weapon; the former victim begs the man to agree; showing his willingness to return the burglar’s weapon – he invites him into his house and hands him a kitchen knife saying “see! I don’t mind your having a weapon; all I want is for you to say these 5 words: “I will be your friend!””
Now, besides for the suicidal behavior of the victim, he will also turn everyone against him; the average person watching this scene will surely come to the logical conclusion that there is something more behind the seemingly simple good/bad guy scene. This conclusion, or assumption (that the good guy might really be the bad guy), would in effect be totally confirmed when the bad guy actually says and claims just that.
Make no mistake about it; we are on a direct path to a situation when Israel will be forced to stand up to the world. These are not my words (to be sure, nor is this whole letter), but rather the words of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the Moshe of our generation (said in 1978). And unfortunately, as you know all too well, this is already the situation. We must wake up before we find ourselves forced to defend our very right to exist in the Land of Israel (if that is not already happening).
~~~
The key to the situation is in your hands – a key being a tool which opens doors standing in ones way while at the same time locks doors against undesirable elements:
You must stand unshakeable and uncompromising – firm in our right to the entire Land of Israel given to us by the God of Israel. It is time to stand up to the world, not only in rhetoric and with hypocritical policies; you must be clear in speech and most importantly in action; no part of the Land of Israel is up for negotiation!
This approach will bring security to our land by making it clear to terrorists etc. that we are here to stay and that we are ready to protect ourselves to the fullest. And it will likewise forestall pressure when the world realizes the futility of such pressure having any effect.
You mentioned the Rebbe, and that he told you to light a candle of truth. – For truth to take effect, it must be conveyed unequivocally, otherwise, it fits into the category of “every lie has a bit of truth”. The truth then only solidifies the lie and the liars. – What truth was he referring to? He was referring to this truth, that no one part of the Land of Israel, given to the people of Israel, as recorded in the Torah of Israel – can be given up to anyone or even negotiated! No Jew or – how much more so – non-Jew, has the right to make “painful concessions” over this land. It does not belong to any individual or group – it is the eternal inheritance of the Jewish people.
Now the arguments of “It’s too late”, “What will the world say”, “Its not realistic”, etc. are simply ludicrous when someone thinks objectively. No one is saying that the above mentioned approach is perfect, it is far from perfect, precisely because of the criminal neglect of it for so long. There are only two options: give in until there is nothing left to give or hold on strong to the Land and fight our enemies.
As mentioned, we must wake up to a hard reality. We must finally heed the warnings of the Rebbe. Time and time again he warned that negotiations would lead to terrorism and pressure and eventually to a Palestinian (terror) state. Even though he has unfortunately been proven right, again and again – it is as if we are blind and deaf, as we continue down the path of self-destruction. One has only to look in the Tanach for such precedents, as the prophet of the generation begged, pleaded, and warned the Jewish people, only for his words to fall on deaf ears. In the words of Yishaya Hanavi (50:2.): “Why have I come, yet there is no man? I have called, but there is no answer?”.
~~~
In conclusion, it must be emphasized, that in addition to there being only one logical solution in any case, we are given chances from above every now and then to make it all the easier to do the right thing. Now is such an opportunity. As the Arabs declare statehood at the UN, the government of Israel now has the political right to cancel all previous agreements and can more easily say to the world: “We have now learnt our lesson, we will now focus solely on the security of our citizens and we will never give up our God given homeland”
This takes strength, but you already have it, as you have been blessed by the Rebbe, in particular, a few days before Shavuot in 1991. Mr. Morad Zamir then requested a blessing for you.
The Rebbe responded: “Tell him that certainly he’ll continue to hold on to the hard line as before and (if) there be occasion to add strength, he certainly will find strength in himself to continue for the time being and after that.”
It is also important to note that if you do follow the right path, you are guaranteed by the Rebbe that it won’t be long before much of the world, as God fearing and Bible believing people, will begin to respect us and our right to the Land of Israel.
We must do our part in first respecting ourselves – the opposite of which it states in the Torah (Bamidbar 13:31-33) concerning the spies sent by Moshe into the land of Israel who said (while giving a bad report on the Land that God had promised them): “we were like grasshoppers in our eyes, and [therefore] so we were in their eyes!”
~~~
Let us speedily merit the fulfillment of the Pasuk (Bechukotai 26, 6.): “And I will grant peace in the Land, and you will lie down with no one to frighten [you]; I will remove wild beasts from the Land, and no army will pass through your land” Amen.
With blessings for the new year,
K’tiva Vachatima Tova L’shana Tova Umetukah
Mayer Schmukler
TruePeace.org, founder
could’t say it better myself
Thank you to the author.
Why aren’t we hearing the Rebbe’s voice being said by official reps? Rabbonim, Merkos, Chabad.org… someone?
Actually, JEM is I think the only one who has been doing so. But that’s is in a very defined format. They cannot really provide commentary to events. The Rebbe always said about this issue, that Rabbonim have a CHOIV to make “Daas Torah” known.
Your’e right, the writer didn’t mention anything about “BABEL” or “Bavel” for that matter.
But what he did do was make the “safety” issue abundantly clear throughout the ENTIRE letter, in a way that i haven’t seen before.
(i suggest you read this (great) article again)
Great article!
Thanks for posting!!!!
… And well written
So true!
The Rebbe said a million times that it would be the same if we were dealing with Babel, since the issue here is SAFETY.
Just as important as that land being ours.
Why do ALL Lubavitchers forget to mention that????
Does it really have to reach such a point when a Yungerman with a job has to take it upon himself to make the Rebbe’s voice heard? When the Rebbe is mentioned on such a scale it should be “official Chabad” who should be sending Netanyahu such letters and making the Rebbe’s stand clear. “What would the Rebbe say after such a speech?” is what we should be asking ourselves. And being – like the Rebbe says on 3 Shvat 5752 – the “aaron your brother”‘s who must speak for the Rebbe – we must make the Rebbe’s opinion known!… Read more »
Are the nicest guys I know. They are the real deal.
good job
“The key to the situation is in your hands – a key being a tool which opens doors standing in ones way while at the same time locks doors against undesirable elements”
Once again, COL proves themselves;
Thank you!
Keep it up
Great job with the pictures accompanying the article
Thanks!
Best editorial
This article is grate
Hope Bibi reads this!
I said it once, I said it twice, Ill say it again.
No other website touches your toes.
There is a reason why quality authors like Mayer send their stuff to COLLIVE
THANK YOU COL
Well done……
Good Gebentched Yur
yasher Koach!
This is totally what I thought- Thanks for expressing this so eloquently.
THANKS FOR SHARING.
I sincerely hope that this was actually sent to Bebe.
Thanks!
Kudos to u- Mayer!
Totally agree with commentor who sais we dont have to go on secular websites anymore, thx to such great pieces.
Thx!
COL DOES IT AGAIN- GREAT OP-ED
This is Mayer Schmukler from New York, originally from Montreal
mayer from los angeles?
Thank you for this positive, yet relevant article.
Nice.
Clarifying
Oasis
Learning
Thank you!
Thank you COL!
Great op-ed!
Keep it up COL
Very well written, addressing important points.
is a very good website. I just went on it. It has a lot of information and is very easy to read. Highly recommended. I think it would be great if COL has a link to this website so that people could be informed. I know alot of my friends don’t really know about Eretz Yisroel and their are FFBs! So this website is very good because it explains everything in a very clear way like this letter. Also, I am really happy to see that COL is taking leadership in bringing dignity to the online chabad world and is… Read more »
This article is very important. I had mixed feelings when hearing that Netanyahu mentioned the Rebbe in his speech to the UN. On the one hand, he spoke truth to power and used the strength he received from the Rebbe on the other, in the same speech, he starts talking about giving up, giving in, etc.
If we could make a petition or open letter -or online petition, that would be amazing, and I think Netanyahu is a good man at heart. He needs our chizuk. This letter is very powerful.
good job collive for posting, keep it up with posting positive op-ed’s as such
Thanks for posting COL
Great stuff keep up the good work
so important
Very clear directives. Agreed – Bibi quotes the Rebbe and then contravenes the Rebbe’s very wishes. Very respectfully written and very clear.
meir great job
Yasher Koach. This letter articulates some very important points and does so well. It is really important that the Rebbe’s voice be heard in these dark times.
Just checked it out 😉
GREAT ARTICLE!
Mandatory reading for anyone Lubavitcher who wants to know the sit.
Thank you COL for providing us with such great writing.
I don’t have to go on Goyish or secular websites anymore.
Keep up the great work!
Sincerely,
A BIG fan of the BEST LUBAVITCH WEBSITE OUT THERE- COLLIVE.COM
Others try- but COL remains the best out there.
Once again- you’ve proved yourself.
Yasher Koach
COL should feature more of this Mayer.
This is Mayer Schmukler (originally from Montreal).
This letter is well written and makes all the points of the Rebbe vividly clear. Question is: Did Bibi Netanyahu read this letter?
We need to pray that Netanyahu reads it, and moreover, takes it very seriously.
k’sivs Vichasima Tova
L.A. Reiter
Very well written and right to the point. Which Schmukler is this?
This is excellent. thank you! Can this be made into a petition for greater impact?
Your letter is such emes. The Rebbe did not want the Israelis to even talk about giving land,let alone actually give it away. How could he quote the Rebbe, but miss the main message that the Rebbe taught us all?
Well written, but seems to have arrived at the wrong address.
Kudos to you Mayer!