Context

The presidents of prestigious universities told a congressional inquiry some months ago, that shouting ‘genocide’ depends on the context.

Actually the context is straightforward: Hatred of Israel and Israelis. And (though they often try to hide it) hatred of Jews.

Antisemitism is as old as the hills, and as new as today’s news. An Iranian Jew who defended himself and killed his attacker, was recently condemned and considered guilty by an Iranian court. Israel is fighting Hamas in self-defence, while the world condemns Israel.

But let’s look closely at the context. Or, another way to phrase it, let’s look at the big picture.

After the Six Day War, Israel was reportedly ready to give back the land they had conquered. The Lubavitcher Rebbe spoke passionately against it, explaining the tremendous danger therein.

After the Yom Kippur War, when Begin agreed to give back land, the Rebbe again warned not to. He quoted the Code of Jewish law which stipulated, that when foreigners come to your border and want to enter your land, even if just for some straw, that we must mobilize even on Shabbat to prevent them from coming into the land. If we don’t, then “it might open up the land before them.”

October 7 showed that the Torah was right. Even before October 7, the Oslo Accords led to intifadas.

In other words, if we look at the context and the big picture, we see clearly that the way to ensure security is to hold on to the land that G-d gave Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the children of Israel.

The world is screaming at two Israeli ministers, Ben Gvir and Smotrich, who are insisting that Netanyahu destroy Hamas, and not give away any land, or else they will leave the coalition and thus bring down Netanyahu’s government. The world condemns these two ministers as being radicals, blocking efforts to give away land for a Palestinian state and thus achieve peace. But the world is misguided. As described above, past events have shown clearly that giving away land brings war. The way to achieve peace, is to not give away land, to mobilize against threats, and to let would-be terrorists see that they have nothing to gain with terrorism. This is the approach that will discourage terrorism, and thus save not just Jewish lives, but Arab lives also.

I have a message for the world: Ben Gvir and Smotrich, who wear head coverings to signify their fear of G-d above, are strong and steadfast in their convictions, which are based on doing what G-d wants.

And Prime Minister Netanyahu recently posted a picture of himself putting on a fallen soldier’s Tefillin. He quoted the words of the Torah (Deuteronomy 28; 10) “And all the nations of the world will see G-d’s name on you, and they will fear you.” Our sages explain that this verse refers to the Tefillin which are worn on the head.

Indeed, also Naftali Bennett (who was Prime Minister for a year and who also wore a head covering) declared clearly that Israel will not give away any land, because of the immense danger involved.

Even common sense and observing recent history will lead an impartial and objective person to conclude that giving away land endangers security and leads to war.

In Chapter 7 of the book of Daniel, it describes the era of Redemption with Moshiach as a time when the high holy ones (meaning, those Jews who are holy and obedient to G-d above) will rule. These days, as we see this happening, we trust that Moshiach is very close.