Last week, on Wednesday morning, my wife and I were on our way to the community of Eli to participate in the festivities of the bris of my great-grandson, Amishav, who was granted to us by the grace of our G-d. On the way from Kiryat Arba to Eli, we already heard on the radio the unbelievable report of Jewish police deliberately clubbing Jewish youngsters, boys and girls, on their heads and all parts of their bodies, shedding their blood at the Jewish community of Amona. I immediately phoned my son, David, who was there. He told me that the youth sitting in the homes that were to be destroyed were clubbed one by one on their heads, indiscriminately, without exception.
Unlike the evacuation of Gush Katif, where the people were removed from their homes with compassion, in the case of Amona, the youngsters were not permitted to leave the homes without each one receiving a brutal blow from police batons. This time, the police had orders to punish the demonstrators by smashing their heads, which they did with a vengeance. Even people standing outside the homes were chased by police on horseback and clubbed while trying to escape. The news reported that member of Knesset Effie Eitam was seriously injured by a police baton, his face completely covered with blood, to the point where he needed to be hospitalized.
You can understand how distraught I was as the joy of my simcha was tainted by the agony of needless Jewish bloodshed. At the bris, I was invited to recite the traditional blessings and naming of the baby. When reciting the words of the prophet Ezekiel (16:6), "And I passed by you and saw you weltering in your own blood and I said unto thee, 'In your blood live,' and I said unto thee, 'In your blood live,'" I realized that these holy words were now describing the terrible events taking place just ten minutes away from the ceremony. I prayed that G-d give us the strength to maintain the flow of life despite the pains brought upon us by fellow Jews, "In your blood, live."
I was called upon to deliver a Torah message as we partook of the seudat mitzvah. I expressed my feelings to our family and friends gathered to celebrate this joyous occasion. There is a need to explain the double expression "In your blood, live... In your blood, live". I always understood it to refer to Jewish blood shed by the hatred of our enemies bent on the destruction of our people. Now, I was ashamed at the feeling that the power of Jewish life must overcome this self-imposed tragedy. I felt a need to point out the ones responsible for this dastardly crime.
On Tuesday night, a group of our people met with Mr. Ehud Olmert and presented him with the offer that the settlers would dismantle the nine houses by themselves within a short time. This would serve to avoid a dangerous and unwanted confrontation, while implementing the order of the Supreme Court. Mr. Olmert chose not to accept the offer and thus intentionally paved the way to this bloody confrontation.
Another effort to implement this offer was made by an appeal to the Supreme Court, which issued a restraining order until a decision would be reached on Wednesday morning. Unfortunately, a majority decision was handed down by two Supreme Court justices, Mrs. Procaccia and Mrs. Arbel, rejecting the appeal. A minority opinion put forth by the third justice, Mr. Rubenstein, was overruled by the majority.
With deep sorrow, along with a strong sense of responsibility, I accuse the acting Prime Minister, Mr. Olmert, and the two judges, Mrs. Procaccia, and Mrs. Arbel, of giving official sanction to a confrontation that could only lead to Jewish bloodshed. Any court that does not weigh the probable outcome of its decisions, and shows no sensitivity for the welfare and well-being of its citizens, cannot be considered a court of justice. What is even more painful is the biased approach of the Supreme Court. If the rule of law is of utmost priority, how is it that the court turns a blind eye toward thousands of illegal homes built by Arabs in Jerusalem, the Negev and the Galilee? Orders to dismantle these homes have been issued, yet never acted upon. Whereas, the dismantling of nine Jewish homes could not suffer even a delay.
Am I wrong in sensing a sickening trend of self-hatred, revealing a complete disengagement from the roots of the Jewish spirit and Zionism? How can Jewish leaders take a path that is constantly creating a dangerous rift within the People of Israel?
Another result of this loss of Jewish national pride and self-respect is the failure of our government to deal seriously with the security of our people and its land. The basic responsibility of a government is to protect and defend the people from its enemies. Ever since the crime of "disengagement", driving Jews from their homes and yielding our land to our enemies, rocket attacks are a daily occurrence in our southern towns. Just this last weekend a baby, seven months old, was severely injured together with her parents. All these months, no effective steps have been taken to stop these murderous attacks. How can any leadership accept a situation where Jewish citizens need to constantly run for cover into shelters? Again I ask, "Is there no feeling of national pride and sensitivity?"
We warned our government that pulling out of Gaza would bring even more rocket attacks closer to Ashkelon and Tel Aviv. The response was that if that happens, then our army would return to that area and destroy completely the source of the attacks. Needless to say, nothing like that has happened. The attacks are continuing more intensely. The only conclusion I can reach from this unconscionable situation is that a government that does not have the courage and determination to use its armed forces against its enemies, but instead turns them viciously against its most loyal citizens - this government must be removed.
Sunday night, a mass demonstration took place in Jerusalem with the participation of more than a hundred thousand people. This was the first time since the degradation we experienced at the "disengagement" from Gush Katif that we could again absorb the spiritual elevation of multitudes of faithful Jews coming together to strengthen one another at a time of crisis. We all came to express our outrage at the shedding of the blood of Jews demonstrating in favor of strengthening the Zionist ideal of building our land and against the biased injustice of our government, again needlessly destroying Jewish homes in our country. All the speakers called for the establishment of a committee of inquiry to investigate the cruel, violent actions by the police commandos against young and old alike. The horrible pictures you all have seen were reminiscent of the darkest period of Jewish life in exile. It is unthinkable that such scenes should take place in the Land of Israel and be perpetuated by a Jewish government against its own people!
Among the speakers were those members of Knesset who were injured and appeared with heads bandaged and arms in slings. The general impression left by the speakers was not of hatred, but of deep anguish and humiliation brought upon us by our own brothers who are blind to the reality of Jewish destiny. The most powerful call for the future was a call for unity. We feel a crucial need for the unity of loyal and faithful Jews.
Responsible political leaders, as well as rabbis and Zionists aware of this period of crisis, must arouse the deepest spiritual powers within the Jewish soul. These powers are inherent only in the Divine land of Israel. The eternal secret weapon of Jewish unity must be restored and put into action in such a way that will create a leadership that will secure the life of the Jewish people and its homeland. We pray to the G-d of Israel to direct us to this goal and open the eyes of all Jews to the process of redemption inherent in our return to our holy Land.
"And who is like your people Israel, that is one nation in the Land?" -- II Shemuel 7:23
Unlike the evacuation of Gush Katif, where the people were removed from their homes with compassion, in the case of Amona, the youngsters were not permitted to leave the homes without each one receiving a brutal blow from police batons. This time, the police had orders to punish the demonstrators by smashing their heads, which they did with a vengeance. Even people standing outside the homes were chased by police on horseback and clubbed while trying to escape. The news reported that member of Knesset Effie Eitam was seriously injured by a police baton, his face completely covered with blood, to the point where he needed to be hospitalized.
You can understand how distraught I was as the joy of my simcha was tainted by the agony of needless Jewish bloodshed. At the bris, I was invited to recite the traditional blessings and naming of the baby. When reciting the words of the prophet Ezekiel (16:6), "And I passed by you and saw you weltering in your own blood and I said unto thee, 'In your blood live,' and I said unto thee, 'In your blood live,'" I realized that these holy words were now describing the terrible events taking place just ten minutes away from the ceremony. I prayed that G-d give us the strength to maintain the flow of life despite the pains brought upon us by fellow Jews, "In your blood, live."
I was called upon to deliver a Torah message as we partook of the seudat mitzvah. I expressed my feelings to our family and friends gathered to celebrate this joyous occasion. There is a need to explain the double expression "In your blood, live... In your blood, live". I always understood it to refer to Jewish blood shed by the hatred of our enemies bent on the destruction of our people. Now, I was ashamed at the feeling that the power of Jewish life must overcome this self-imposed tragedy. I felt a need to point out the ones responsible for this dastardly crime.
On Tuesday night, a group of our people met with Mr. Ehud Olmert and presented him with the offer that the settlers would dismantle the nine houses by themselves within a short time. This would serve to avoid a dangerous and unwanted confrontation, while implementing the order of the Supreme Court. Mr. Olmert chose not to accept the offer and thus intentionally paved the way to this bloody confrontation.
Another effort to implement this offer was made by an appeal to the Supreme Court, which issued a restraining order until a decision would be reached on Wednesday morning. Unfortunately, a majority decision was handed down by two Supreme Court justices, Mrs. Procaccia and Mrs. Arbel, rejecting the appeal. A minority opinion put forth by the third justice, Mr. Rubenstein, was overruled by the majority.
With deep sorrow, along with a strong sense of responsibility, I accuse the acting Prime Minister, Mr. Olmert, and the two judges, Mrs. Procaccia, and Mrs. Arbel, of giving official sanction to a confrontation that could only lead to Jewish bloodshed. Any court that does not weigh the probable outcome of its decisions, and shows no sensitivity for the welfare and well-being of its citizens, cannot be considered a court of justice. What is even more painful is the biased approach of the Supreme Court. If the rule of law is of utmost priority, how is it that the court turns a blind eye toward thousands of illegal homes built by Arabs in Jerusalem, the Negev and the Galilee? Orders to dismantle these homes have been issued, yet never acted upon. Whereas, the dismantling of nine Jewish homes could not suffer even a delay.
Am I wrong in sensing a sickening trend of self-hatred, revealing a complete disengagement from the roots of the Jewish spirit and Zionism? How can Jewish leaders take a path that is constantly creating a dangerous rift within the People of Israel?
Another result of this loss of Jewish national pride and self-respect is the failure of our government to deal seriously with the security of our people and its land. The basic responsibility of a government is to protect and defend the people from its enemies. Ever since the crime of "disengagement", driving Jews from their homes and yielding our land to our enemies, rocket attacks are a daily occurrence in our southern towns. Just this last weekend a baby, seven months old, was severely injured together with her parents. All these months, no effective steps have been taken to stop these murderous attacks. How can any leadership accept a situation where Jewish citizens need to constantly run for cover into shelters? Again I ask, "Is there no feeling of national pride and sensitivity?"
We warned our government that pulling out of Gaza would bring even more rocket attacks closer to Ashkelon and Tel Aviv. The response was that if that happens, then our army would return to that area and destroy completely the source of the attacks. Needless to say, nothing like that has happened. The attacks are continuing more intensely. The only conclusion I can reach from this unconscionable situation is that a government that does not have the courage and determination to use its armed forces against its enemies, but instead turns them viciously against its most loyal citizens - this government must be removed.
Sunday night, a mass demonstration took place in Jerusalem with the participation of more than a hundred thousand people. This was the first time since the degradation we experienced at the "disengagement" from Gush Katif that we could again absorb the spiritual elevation of multitudes of faithful Jews coming together to strengthen one another at a time of crisis. We all came to express our outrage at the shedding of the blood of Jews demonstrating in favor of strengthening the Zionist ideal of building our land and against the biased injustice of our government, again needlessly destroying Jewish homes in our country. All the speakers called for the establishment of a committee of inquiry to investigate the cruel, violent actions by the police commandos against young and old alike. The horrible pictures you all have seen were reminiscent of the darkest period of Jewish life in exile. It is unthinkable that such scenes should take place in the Land of Israel and be perpetuated by a Jewish government against its own people!
Among the speakers were those members of Knesset who were injured and appeared with heads bandaged and arms in slings. The general impression left by the speakers was not of hatred, but of deep anguish and humiliation brought upon us by our own brothers who are blind to the reality of Jewish destiny. The most powerful call for the future was a call for unity. We feel a crucial need for the unity of loyal and faithful Jews.
Responsible political leaders, as well as rabbis and Zionists aware of this period of crisis, must arouse the deepest spiritual powers within the Jewish soul. These powers are inherent only in the Divine land of Israel. The eternal secret weapon of Jewish unity must be restored and put into action in such a way that will create a leadership that will secure the life of the Jewish people and its homeland. We pray to the G-d of Israel to direct us to this goal and open the eyes of all Jews to the process of redemption inherent in our return to our holy Land.
"And who is like your people Israel, that is one nation in the Land?" -- II Shemuel 7:23