ARIEL SHARON: MY INTERVIEW WITH THE REBBE

The Lubavitcher Rebbe showed extraordinary knowledge regarding ongoing military matters in Israel, in areas of security and politics, and in those pertaining to international affairs, specifically those connected to instructions emanating from Washington. Moreover, the Rebbe showed knowledge down to the smallest details of the military confrontations that took place during the Six Day War.

The Rebbe said to Sharon: “It will be our greatest insanity if we were to retreat from the new borders. It will expose the lack of trust of the government of Israel; lack of faith in our own strength will only invite external pressure upon us. It is imperative to stop trying to find favor in the eyes of the gentile nations. This has never helped in the past; neither will it ever help for the future. The indecisiveness in Israel must stop. It is obligatory to uproot the mentality of exile [slavery to the gentile nations] from the Land of Israel. Were the government of Israel to decide to inhabit the liberated territories and come out with a call to world Jewry to come and settle these lands, I am certain that half a million young Jewish people would respond to this challenge.”

With regard to the various solutions that have been forwarded, which call for a full or partial retreat on Israel’s part, the Lubavitcher Rebbe said: “This plan will bring about a sharpening of tension in the future. These are solutions run contrary to the natural path.” From the Rebbe’s view, Israel today lies within its natural borders.

With pain did the Rebbe continue: “Every matter which is decided by the government of Israel is known immediately by the gentiles.” He turned to Commander Sharon with the question: “Why does the military not present its view more forcefully regarding the [security of the present] borders?”

Sharon replied: “This is a political decision.”

The Rebbe interrupted him with a wave of his hand in dismissal: “This is not a matter of politics; this is one of security. I believe with perfect faith that we are able, and we must, inhabit these territories.”

[From an interview with Mr. Ariel Sharon, re-printed from the publication “The Rebbe – Thirty Years of Leadership,” page 112.]