Mr. Prime Minister: Stand Decisively—History Demands It! In Gaza absolute security and full control [Israeli sovereignty] must be maintained without any form of capitulation. Opiinion.
“How long will you waver between both sides of the fence?” asked Eliyahu HaNavi—a call echoed by the Lubavitcher Rebbe during his 1988 conversation with Haifa’s mayor. “Decide once and for all: the Land of Israel is not like every other land… it must be unmistakably Jewish—this is the Torah of Israel and the inheritance of the Children of Israel.”
As you engage with world leaders in Washington this week, the moment calls for clarity—not compromise. Will you stand unwavering for the Jewish people and the Land of Israel, or once again straddle a fence that history has shown only leads to tragedy?
Across the Jewish world, we join in expressing gratitude—HaKarat HaTov—to President Donald Trump for his bold leadership, especially in Operation Rising Lion, which struck directly at Iran’s nuclear threat. Recognition of past support is a hallmark of Jewish character. But gratitude must never become a leash. If loyalty to benefactors clouds judgment on core issues of sovereignty and security, then Israel risks repeating the very mistakes that brought about the horrors of October 7.
A Painful Lesson from 2005
As whispers grow of a plan to entrust Gaza’s future to an undefined coalition involving Egypt, the UAE, Palestinian Arabs unaligned with Hamas or the Palestinian Authority, and some American involvement, one cannot help but recall the 2005 Disengagement—a wound still open in the Jewish psyche.
8,000 Jews expelled. Homes bulldozed. Synagogues desecrated.
And the promised peace? More rockets. More tunnels. More blood.
It was a disaster packaged in diplomacy, driven by wishful thinking.
Then came October 7—its brutality a direct echo of that betrayal.
The Rebbe’s Warnings Still Ring True
As early as 1991, upon learning of Israel’s participation in the Madrid Talks, the Rebbe urged leaders who could not withstand international pressure to step aside. “Signing away parts of the Land of Israel is a desecration of G-d’s Name—Chillul HaShem.” That applies no less today.
And on 25 Tammuz 1991, speaking to those building Jewish life in Gaza, he was unequivocal: “In Gaza, absolute security and full Israeli control must be maintained without compromise.”
According to Halakha, no Israeli government or cabinet has the authority to cede even an inch of the Land of Israel to non-Jews if it endangers lives. It is not only a legal concern—it is a moral and spiritual imperative.
Moreover, the Rebbe reminded us in 1979 that even a single Jew has the halachic right to object to the surrender of inherited land, making any such agreement invalid. This is not merely symbolism—it is law, it is legacy.
Gaza’s Future: A Jewish Vision for Peace
There is a better way forward. One that does not repeat the folly of disengagement but embraces the vision and resilience of a people who have never abandoned their land—only returned to it, again and again.
It is time to present the Tzedek L’OTEF Plan, crafted by those most impacted—residents of the Gaza periphery and former Gush Katif communities, and endorsed by a majority in the Knesset, by organizations like Nachala, Women in Green, and Regavim. The plan has widespread support in Negev communities and among Jews worldwide.
Tzedek L’OTEF proposes:
- A network of security zones to ensure full IDF control.
- The return of Jewish agriculture and industry to revive the Negev and feed the nation.
- Cultural and economic development aligned with Jewish values, including kosher tourism, academic institutions, and the arts.
- And most sacredly: a Memorial Forest to honor the thousands of martyrs of October 7 and IDF heroes, offering solace and reflection for all who carry trauma, grief, and memory.
President Trump’s vision of a vibrant Mediterranean “Riviera” can still come to life—but only under unambiguous Israeli sovereignty.
The True Peace
Expanding the Abraham Accords and involving international investment from figures like Tony Blair’s Great Trust or his “10 Mega Projects” can be part of the future—but never at the cost of Jewish security or surrendering control.
This is not about isolationism—it is about independence, rooted in Torah, history, and Jewish law.
Let the Prime Minister return from Washington with resolve—not regret. Let him embrace a legacy of truth and strength, not hesitation and appeasement.
We encourage every Jew to reflect deeply—and to explore the JEM video series “Enduring Peace” at enduringpeace.org, which brings the Rebbe’s timeless guidance into this urgent moment.
“Be strong and courageous… for you shall cause this people to inherit the Land which I swore to their ancestors to give them.” (Joshua 1:6)
Now is that moment. The world is watching. History is waiting. Will we choose to stand tall—or fall again into the same pit?
Mrs. Tamar Edelstein and Mrs. Faigie Lobel head Crown Heights Women for the Safety and Integrity of Israel (Mission statement: Uniting Jewish Women around the World Under the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Directives for True Peace)
