From Entebbe to the Temple Mount The Test of Jewish Leadership

by Rabbi Eliezer Waldman Rosh Yeshiva, Yeshivat Kiryat Arba
July 8, 1999

There are three significant events which take place this time of year, all of
which seem interrelated: July fourth, the American Independence day; the
beginning of our annual period of mourning, for the destruction of Jewish
independence and the Temple, the heart of Jewish faith and worship; and this
week's Torah portion, in which we find the mitzvah of inheriting and settling
the Land.

America just celebrated its Independence Day on July fourth. Back in 1776 the
American colonists decided to take on the greatest power of that era, Great
Britain, in order to assert their independence. It was a bold decision, but one
of faith and conviction. The inner strength displayed by the American patriots
has been referred to as "the Spirit of 76". That spirit projected a feeling of a
deep dedication to the rights of a nation to fight for its independence, and to
do so even against seemingly overwhelming odds.

We Jews in Israel also have our "Spirit of 76". On July fourth, 1976, Operation
Entebbe took place. An Air France jet was hijacked on its way to Tel Aviv and
forced to land in Uganda. This was an era in which skyjackings were rampant and
no world power seemed to be able to stop them. In this case, the Jewish
passengers were singled out to be held as hostages. It mattered not whether they
were Israeli citizens. Enemies of the Jewish people understand the indelible
connection between the Jewish People and the Jewish State. Perhaps in reaction
to this instinctive connection on the part of enemies of the Jewish people, the
leaders of the Jewish State took responsibility for the safety of Jewish
hostages in a foreign country. The IDF, in a daring raid at the airport in
Entebbe, overpowered the hijackers, rescued the hostages and brought them home
to Israel.

It is this recognition of responsibility for all Jews, no matter where they may
be, which is the greatest expression of Jewish sovereignty. The test of Jewish
national leadership is its willingness to implement this responsibility
regardless of the danger of antagonizing friend or foe, who are always quick to
apply hypocritical accusations of violating international law to those who would
rescue victims of piracy. When courageous Jewish leaders stand up to the
challenge and accept their responsibility to take risks in spite of such danger,
then even the most difficult task will be successful because we are assured of
Divine Blessing. Certainly a nation which is even willing to reach out over
foreign borders in order to save the lives of its people would never agree to
compromise on its own territorial integrity. 

Our Spirit of 76, which emphasizes our struggle for independence, coincides with
the beginning of our three week period of mourning for the destruction of the
holy Temple in Jerusalem. Unfortunately our war of independence has not ended,
for two basic reasons. First, in terms of ensuring Jewish existence, we are
still under threat of destruction by our Arab neighbors who speak openly of
jihad, a holy war to liberate the Jewish homeland from the Jewish people. Arafat
and his ilk have never rejected this concept. Yet the leaders of the nations of
the world not only refuse to condemn this heinous goal, but honor those who
espouse it. Arafat is wined and dined by leaders of nations in the world and
received as a legitimate head of state in the highest governmental circles.
Further to this we see these heads of state making demands upon Israel to yield
our birthright to frauds. Unfortunately the failure of our leaders to accept
full responsibility for Jewish life and national pride has set the stage for the
nations of the world to conduct this disgraceful policy of appeasing terror and
denying our rights to our homeland.

The second challenge to our independence is inherent in the abandoning of the
Zionist dream by some of our leaders. The spirit of Zionism, the driving force
which has inspired Jews for over two thousand years to strive to come home to
the Jewish homeland, is under attack today. Some of our own people are beginning
to question our most basic rights of renewing Jewish life in the heart of our
homeland, especially in Jerusalem. It has also been suggested that we yield our
defensive positions in southern Lebanon, shirking our responsibility for the
northern Galilee in reaction to Hisballah terror. Some demand that we "open the
window of opportunity" and recognize the "nobility" of Asad, of Syria and
finally achieve a "true peace" by surrendering the Golan Heights and uprooting
its Jewish communities. Don't our Jewish "pursuers of peace" understand that we
are creating an image of a defeated army running away from the battlefield. This
image of surrendering to terror will only encourage our enemies to realize their
dream of turning the Galilee into Greater Syria.

The most treacherous suggestion conjured up by a twisted Jewish mind was made
public just a few days ago. In order to achieve a "real peace" with the PLO we
must prove our sensitivity to their national aspirations by allowing them to fly
the PLO flag on the Temple Mount! How can a Jewish leader be so insensitive to
Jewish national pride as to advocate the desecration of the holiest Jewish
shrine with the symbol of Arab terror, paying homage to an entity bent on
destruction of the Jewish people? Especially during the time of year when Jews
all over the world are mourning the destruction of the holy Temple, it is
inconceivable that any Jew, much less a cabinet member in the Israeli
government, could suggest willingly desecrating the very object of our mourning.
How dare he presume, in the name of the Jewish government, to reject the Divine
gift of Jewish sovereignty over our holiest shrine, the Temple Mount, even were
the recipients of his humble gesture true friends of the Jewish people, much
less those who are dedicated to our destruction?

The true test of leadership is the ability to stand up to those who would limit
our rights in our homeland and say a consistent "No", loud and clear. It must
unequivocally declare that any act taken against the security of the state will
be met with a powerful and swift response. A true leader would never negotiate
on our basic rights to our homeland. . . not with our enemies, nor even with our
friends. Once you as much as express a willingness to do this you accept the
principle that you are prepared to give up what is yours. Only those who have
the strength to back up their principles with action will gain the respect of
friend and foe alike. It is a lack of strength to stand behind our own
convictions, on the part of Israeli governments ever since the Six Day War of
June 1967, which has encouraged our enemies to continue to demand that we
surrender our rights to our homeland. Not once has a Jewish leader stood up and
declared that Land for Peace is another term for extortion which has no place in
real peace negotiations.

We are awaiting the formation of a new government under Ehud Barak. The fact is
that the majority of Israeli voters elected parties which support Jewish
heritage and self-respect. As a result of this fact Mr. Barak had a difficult
time putting together a coalition which would reflect a clear left-wing policy.
As a matter of fact, during the negotiations with the various factions, he made
alterations to his basic governmental policies in order to make them more
acceptable to potential partners. Barak was a strong military leader, and he
does have the potential to be a good Prime Minister. Because of the strong
showing of religious and right wing parties in the recent election we have
reason to hope that the new government will be in a position to justify our
expectations. 

There is still a chance for this government to restore the image of the Jewish
"spirit of 76", by appreciating the great gift of Jewish independence and
security in our homeland. May I suggest that our new prime minister draw his
strength, faith, and courage to stand up to the challenges by friend and foe
alike, from the mitzvah of "yishuv Eretz Yisrael," appearing in this week's
Torah portion. 

The Torah commands us: "You shall inherit the land and settle it because I have
given you the Land in order to inherit it." Numbers 33:53

Our sages explain that there are two parts to the mitzvah. First we should take
possession of the land; and secondly, not allow it to remain desolate but to
rebuild Jewish life. The ideological lesson teaches us that only the Jews can
bring life to the Land. Any foreign rule can only bring terror and destruction.
This ideology has been proven in the history of the Middle East. During two
thousand years of Jewish Exile, the Land remained desolate. Only Jewish return
in the last hundred years enhanced by great efforts dedication and sacrifice
have turned the desolate Land into a Garden of Eden which can bring a blessing
to the entire area. This reality is the realization of the words of our
prophets. This is the genuine New Middle East.

I call upon our new Prime Minister to gather his strength and faith from this
prophetic vision and implement a policy of true independence. This means telling
the leaders of all the nations that only we will determine our internal policy.
No one will tell us where we may or may not live in our own homeland. No one
will dare suggest that we yield any part of our sovereignty to others. I can
hear Mrs Albright saying, "We recognize your independence, but we never really
meant for you to be independent. We are your protectors. We will tell you when
and where to build your homes. We will tell you when and how to defend
yourselves. And we promise to protect you so you needn't worry about giving land
and weapons to your enemies. And, remember, never take unilateral steps without
our prior permission." Do you accept this Mr. Barak? Is this the kind of
independence for which our ancestors dreamed and generations of Jews sacrificed
so much? Robin Cook, Jacque Chiraqque, Tony Blair, Madaleine Albright, and Bill
Clinton can be allies if they wish, but they must be made to understand that
they have no business interfering in the internal affairs of the Jewish State.
Never would such a concept as "illegal settlements" or "Land for Peace" be
tolerated by a self respecting government. 

I turn to you, Mr. Barak, as one of the commanders of the Entebbe operation, to
bring that spirit of Jewish courage and responsibility to the heart of Israel
and the Temple Mount. By implementing a policy of genuine and complete
independence you will have the privilege of helping to establish a meaningful
"new Middle East", and thus help transform our days of mourning to days of joy.