All Agree: End Oslo Now!

The terrible Arab uprising throughout Eretz Yisroel is finally waking up Jews there and around the world to the fact that our enemies do not want peace. But what can be done to protect ourselves and to ensure the security of the Jewish people in Eretz Yisroel? Chabad Chassidim who remember the Rebbe’s cries back at the beginning of this unfortunate process, feel the time has come to take action.

In Crown Heights, the Vaad Chassidei Chabad HaOlami L’Shleimus HaAretz U’Bitachon Eretz HaKodesh, organized an emergency meeting which took place in 770 on Monday night, Isru Chag. The program opened with emcee Rabbi Shmuel Butman, director of Lubavitch Youth and the Matteh HaOlami L’Havoas HaMoshiach, briefly describing recent events. "Now we see for ourselves how the Rebbe’s prophetic words have come true in every detail, and are as potent today as the day they were said."

A video was shown of the Rebbe vehemently protesting the Camp David accords. This was followed by the recitation of Tehillim led by secretary of the beis din, Rabbi Levi Yitzchok Shapiro.

The first speaker was Rabbi Avrohom Osdoba of the Crown Heights beis din. He quoted the Midrash which refers to the troubles the Jews suffered at the hands of the Plishtim throughout the generations (because of the pact Avrohom Avinu made with them), and called upon people to publicize the Rebbe’s views about not giving away land in Eretz Yisroel.

Crown Heights residents have a special connection with what is happening in Eretz Yisroel, not only because they heard the Rebbe speak about the topic, but because Crown Heights influences what takes place in Eretz Yisroel. Many years ago, in the first sicha the Rebbe spoke about the community in 5729, the Rebbe said that selling a house to a gentile in Crown Heights causes land to be given away in Eretz Yisroel. For this reason Chabad Chassidim of Crown Heights feel a special obligation to protest, and their feelings were expressed by the chairman of the Vaad HaKohol of Crown Heights, R’ Michoel Chazan.

Rabbi Butman called upon all Chabad centers around the world to strongly condemn the atrocities taking place in our land, and to publicize the Rebbe’s views on the matter. He said that the war for shleimus ha’Aretz is directly connected with the revelation and coming of Moshiach. "The war for shleimus ha’Aretz is one of the wars of the Rebbe MH"M on his way to Geula, and as the Rambam says, ‘he will fight the wars of Hashem and be victorious.’"

Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Katzman described the website TruePeace.org. Each week True Peace sends Torah material, particularly the Rebbe’s sichos on shleimus ha’Aretz, along with relevant material on the weekly sidra to rabbanim around the world. The site is run by R’ Meir and R’ Dovid Schmukler and is highly acclaimed. Rabbi Katzman suggested that everybody publicize the site.

Rabbi Leibel Groner said that two years ago when he visited Eretz Yisroel and went to Chevron, it was during the Shiva of Rabbi Raanan (may Hashem avenge his blood) who was murdered by Arabs. Just at that time, a political figure showed up who had visited the Rebbe thirty years before. At that time, the Rebbe said that the path they were taking would eventually endanger Yerushalayim. It seemed farfetched at the time, she admitted, and she was embarrassed to tell her friends what the Rebbe had said. But now, whenever she recalls that yechidus tears come to her eyes. Rabbi Groner called upon rabbanei Chabad to raise their voices in protest and to enlist the tremendous potential of Chabad to stop this dangerous situation at once.

Many people feel helpless under the circumstances. Rabbi Groner quoted a letter from the Rebbe in which he quotes the Rebbe Rayatz on the Mishna about ikvisa d’Meshicha. When the Mishna describes the very characteristics of our times, such as chutzpa, it concludes with, "and we can do nothing but rely on our Father in Heaven." The Rebbe says that this is one of the obstacles of ikvisa d’Meshicha, that people will despair and say they can do nothing and only Hashem can save us. We mustn’t give in to despair. We must encourage one another so that together, with G-d’s help, we will succeed.

Rabbi Yisroel Halperin, shaliach in Hertzeliya spoke heatedly about the momentum being created in public opinion, with people waking up to what the governments over the last ten years have bequeathed to them.

"People are crying out for a real solution. We must go out and tell them that what is going on is part of the wars of Hashem which Moshiach is waging, and that all this is part of Geula. It’s time to convey two clear messages to the people: 1) we may not talk about concessions, and 2) we must be fully confident in the realization of the Rebbe’s prophecy.

"The Left did an excellent job of promulgating an irrational lie. If this happened in the realm of k’lipa, the same can happen, l’havdil, in kedusha. Let us disseminate the true besura and people will accept it with open arms."

The guest speaker of the evening was Mr. Malcolm Hoenlein, director of the Council of Jewish Presidents in the United States. He is influential in government offices both here and in Eretz Yisroel. Rabbi Butman introduced him as someone who is not a Lubavitcher, but as someone who has connections with the entire world. Mr. Hoenlein surprised the crowd by correcting Rabbi Butman, saying, "I am also a Lubavitcher."

In his speech, Mr. Hoenlein announced his lack of faith in the Oslo Accords, which have been exposed as a farce, particularly now that Prime Minister Barak offered to divide Yerushalayim. He said they want to transform their lie into reality and our reality into a lie, but we cannot allow that to happen. It is not a war only against Eretz Yisroel, he went on to say, but a war against Jews and Judaism! He thanked Rabbi Butman and Chabad Chassidim for their solidarity on behalf of the security of Eretz Yisroel.

Israeli President Moshe Katzav spoke live via hook-up. He said he remembered well, as does every Chabad Chassid, what the Rebbe told him on Yud Sh’vat 5752 at "dollars" about being against plans of autonomy or even talking about it. Katzav mentioned three points in his speech: 1) the cruelty of the Arabs, 2) the new situation which has brought about Jewish unity, 3) the Rebbe’s vision and how right he was.

Rabbi Yehuda Rubin, shaliach in Alon Moreh where Rabbi Hillel Lieberman (may Hashem avenge his blood) was killed, also spoke via live hook-up. Rabbi Rubin apologized on behalf of Rabbi Z’vulun Lieberman, Hillel’s father, who had been planning to speak via hook-up too, but had had to catch a flight to the U.S.

Rabbi Rubin described the unbearable situation on the one hand, and the incredible miracles taking place on the other hand. "There is a change amongst the people," he said. "Perhaps it isn’t deep enough, but there is definitely a change. People who believed in ‘peace’ are finally realizing that the Arabs are our sworn enemies and not partners for peace."

Mr. Noam Arnon of Chevron spoke, and then Rabbi Yekusiel Rapp said that when Ron Nachman came to the Rebbe for the first time and told the Rebbe that his purpose in coming was to convince the Americans to stop pressuring Israel, the Rebbe responded that he was better off convincing those in Eretz Yisroel not to cave into pressure.

Knesset member Benny Alon addressed the audience, saying, "We erred by not emphasizing the Rebbe’s explanations and not stressing the danger to life involved. Today we see what the Rebbe foresaw years ago. It’s miraculous that the Prime Minister is from the Left, because had he been from the Right, the Left would have blamed the government and brought it down. Today they have nothing to say but, ‘We made a mistake.’"

Rabbi Butman thanked Rabbi Rapp who organized the meeting along with him, as well as R’ Danny Cohen and Yonason Rubin.

Israeli President Katzav: The Rebbe’s Holy Words Reverberate In My Ears

"Greetings to Chabad Chassidim gathered in 770 in Brooklyn in order to pray for the peace of our fellow Jews. Baruch Hashem, we have the power of faith and the ability to overcome hardships. Our relations with the Palestinians have reached an all time low, and we have the koach, with G-d’s help, to overcome.

"The Jewish people are rachmanim bnei rachmanim (merciful, children of the merciful) and do not want to take revenge, but they did unspeakable acts. An Israeli officer of a joint Israeli-Palestinian patrol was murdered a half-hour after drinking coffee with him and after months of joint patrols. The lynching of two soldiers in Ramalla, shooting at homes in Gilo, the destruction of Kever Yosef, etc.

"Baruch Hashem, we are uniting and working on establishing a unity government in order that the best minds in leadership will work on behalf of the Jewish people.

"I remember well the eighteen minutes the Rebbe spoke with me in Shvat 1992. I remember the Rebbe’s shining eyes and holy visage. The Rebbe’s holy words still reverberate in my ears. The Rebbe was right in everything he said."