In the November of 1989, Israel’s Cabinet Secretary Elyakim Rubinstein explains how difficult it is to hold out against the pressures by US Secretary of State James Baker.
In a notable departure from his patient disposition, the Rebbe repeatedly interjects, trying to school the Israeli diplomat on the way to earn Americans’ respect.
Sadly, despite Shamir’s hawkish reputation, the process in which Secretary Rubinstein and Prime Minister Shamir engaged led to autonomy in Gaza and the West Bank — and eventually to 10/7.
When Americans apply pressure, they are testing how important an issue is; how integral to your survival.
When you cave, you are declaring that it’s not truly imperative for your survival.
He was right on this, as always.
Once again I fear we are seeing the same old mistakes being made. Biden/Blinken ask for an inch, Israel gives a mile. First the demand is a few humanitarian aid trucks, then it is for fuel that is the lifeblood of the enemy army. And now what perverse demand is made? “Humanitarian pauses,” so that Hamas can retrench while the IDF surrounds them. The Rebbe was right, as always.
With due respect to the kind Rabbi who interpreted the Rebbe’s exchanges with PM Begin as indicating support for Camp David, the Rebbe makes clear here that this was not his position.
Rubenstein and Israel would knuckle under to the anti-Semite Baker at the Madrid “peace” talks that led to the disastrous Oslo Accords.