PM Sharon Meets With Chabad Leaders

2005-06-28

Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met this afternoon (Tuesday), 28.6.05, with a delegation of Chabad Hassidic leaders, including Rabbi Yehuda Leib Groner, who had been the Lubavitcher Rebbe's secretary, Chabad Israel Rabbinical Court Director Rabbi Yitzhak Yehuda Yaruslavski, Chabad Israel Rabbinical Court Deputy Director Rabbi Menachem Glocobosky, Mateh Binyamin Regional Council Rabbi Shimon Elitov, Chabad Spokesman Menachem Brod and other senior rabbis.

Rabbi Groner began the meeting, which was held in a good atmosphere, by recounting stories about Prime Minister Sharon's meetings with the Lubavitcher Rebbe and about the warm ties between them. The Chabad representatives told the Prime Minister that they strongly oppose the Disengagement Plan due to the fact that the Lubavitcher Rebbe opposed any concession over any part of the Land of Israel. Rabbi Groner said that, "While we came here in order to remind the Prime Minister that Rebbe said that it was forbidden to make concessions over even the tiniest speck, it is also important to uphold the law. In his words, we must protest against the Plan but everything must be done according to the law." Chabad Spokesman Brod said that, "While we do not have your experience and knowledge, we do have the Rebbe and we are certain that he is right. Therefore, our public is in so much pain and is so upset. It is difficult for us to control the storm within Chabad but we say that we are against violence and incitement."

Prime Minister Sharon briefed the Chabad leaders on the advantages of the Disengagement Plan (http://tinyurl.com/43l87), on the circumstances that led him to initiate it, and on the importance that he ascribes to the settlement movement. The Prime Minister said that he knew that Chabad members oppose the Plan and that he has no intention of trying to persuade them: "It is important for me to explain to you that incitement, the developing hatred and the threats are leading towards a great danger. This situation, which we saw this morning regarding IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz, is incredibly dangerous. Nobody in the country has the right to block roads or damage public installations. There is a small group of extremists here that is trying to force its will on the nation." The Prime Minister also referred to the phenomenon of refusal and said that it was very grave.

Prime Minister Sharon said that the pictures and reports of the activities of Chabad members have caused great damage to Chabad and, as a result, great damage to Judaism: "The public does not understand the difference between the various factions."

Prime Minister Sharon added that the phenomenon of violence towards the security forces could not continue: "We will not allow anyone to raise a hand against a soldier, policeman or member of the security forces. If this nation wants to continue to exist as a democratic state it must prevent this with great force. It cannot be that Kach members attack policemen and soldiers." The Prime Minister said that if there is no unity among Jews and the situation in which there is hatred, incitement, threats and aggression against the security forces continues, the state will be unable to endure. "You must make your voices heard even if it is not easy for you, because this situation is dangerous."

Prime Minister Sharon said that he understands the difficulty and the pain: "This was also a painful and difficult decision for me, perhaps the most painful and difficult that I ever made. But I came to the conclusion that it is very important for Israel. The Plan was submitted to the Knesset and the Government and passed by a large majority. True, this is difficult and painful but the State of Israel has decided - we are leaving Gaza. Even if it is difficult, the Plan will be implemented. The Plan will be implemented because it is the right thing for the State of Israel."

Rabbi Elitov said that Chabad members were in good spirits: "We cannot be suspected of violence. Even the sharpest protest must be done without incitement and without harsh calls. This is not the Chabad way."

Rabbi Glocobosky told Prime Minister Sharon: "We know that you think that this is for the good of Israel but as friends and family members we remind you what the Rebbe said."

Rabbi Elitov added: "You met with the Rebbe many times and you are like part of our family. Even among families there are arguments but this does not deny the friendship and the esteem. We say to you: Official Chabad is against all harsh remarks and sweeping propaganda; we have also published this in the newspapers."

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis