IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

Translated by Michoel Leib Dobry

During this past week we heard more threatening statements against the free world by the Islamic Republic of Iran. This bastion of state-run terror is attempting to send the world a sign that it has already passed a point of no return, and therefore, if any nation starts up with them now, that country will be heading for serious trouble. According to the mad proclamations of the president of Iran, his regime will soon construct another three nuclear reactors. Ahmadinejad is trying to double-deal: threatening the world while hiding behind declarations that all his actions are reasonable and legitimate. He is seeking to grab the rope at both ends, crying out “Be careful – I’m dangerous and irresponsible” at one end, while feigning innocence on the other.

The window of opportunity is closing. Military experts are divided over the exact date when Iran will reach an irreversible point. Yet, all are in agreement that sooner or later, if not stopped, Iran will attain its desired objective.

During the years that have passed since the government of Israel began to discuss the Iranian atomic program, Iran has managed to build some highly advanced missiles, which they claim can even reach the shores of the United States. They are preparing for total war. The country’s leaders are determined not to become a second Iraq, and they will not allow the Israel Defense Forces to attack them without a full retaliatory response.

DESTROY IT NOW!

As if we didn’t need any further proof that a state of war with Iran is already upon us, there were recently two terrorist attacks against Israeli embassies in India and Georgia. A day after the embassy attacks, an explosive device was detonated in an apartment in Thailand. It was discovered that the device was being prepared for a terrorist attack against Israeli diplomats in Thailand.

After the explosion, two Iranian men escaped from the apartment, but their collaborator didn’t get away, because none of the local taxis agreed to stop for him. He became so frustrated that he threw hand grenades in the direction of one of the taxis that refused to take him and at the police officers that arrived on the scene. His interrogation by the local authorities led to the arrest of his accomplices in Malaysia en route to Iran. They later learned that another member of this terrorist cell, a woman, had managed to evade Thai security forces and had made her way to Tehran.

Unrelated to these events, the United States has devoted much effort over the past few weeks to reach an understanding with the government in Eretz Yisroel regarding how to deal with the Iranian threat. Last week President Obama sent his intelligence chief and national security adviser to Eretz Yisroel for consultations with senior defense officials. Those in the know claim that these representatives of the U.S. administration were sent to try and convince the Israelis not to attack Iran and to allow the sanctions imposed upon Iran to take full effect.

Giving credit where credit is due, it must be said that the government of Israel is holding its own this time around. Thus far, the Israeli position has remained firm that the reactor must be destroyed – the only question is when it will happen. There are those who say that the government’s position on its right to bomb the reactor is like someone saying, “Hold me back. Give me an excuse. Try and finish the deal yourselves; otherwise I won’t be able to withstand the test and I’ll have to take action myself.” Whether these interpretations are correct or not, it appears that the idea that Eretz Yisroel is about to take action on its own managed to shake the international community out of its apathetic stupor.

The prime minister and the defense minister must stop delaying their attack plans and take action against Iran as soon as possible, regardless of the Obama Administration’s political considerations. The prime minister must take full advantage of the primary season within the Republican Party in the race for the Presidency of the United States, during which the various candidates speak openly about how America should assist Eretz Yisroel in attacking the reactor, thereby putting an end to a most troubling crisis that has unnecessarily instilled fear among many of our people in Eretz HaKodesh.

YOU CAN’T RELY ON THE WORLD

It would seem, however, that those who oppose attacking Iran have a trump card. They claim that there is nothing to worry about if we stand alone against the Iranian threat, for if Iran attacks, America will immediately come to our aid. They also argue that the international community simply cannot remain unconcerned in the face of the demented actions of this Moslem ruler. Thus, there’s no need for apprehension, and the Israeli government can sit quietly under the security of the nations of the world.

These arguments sound quite logical, but regrettably, those who make such claims forget what’s happening right now in Syria, where a crazed Arab leader slaughters his own people while the world at-large stands passively and does nothing to stop the murder of the Syrian people. They also forget the assurances made thirty years ago by those who supported the peace treaty with Egypt, certain that if an Arab head of state would call for the treaty’s abrogation, the whole world would rise in protest against him. But this has yet to happen.

Here are the Rebbe’s amazing words from more than thirty years ago during a sicha on Rosh Chodesh Elul 5738, in connection with the rioting that was taking place in Arab countries at the time, and its relevance to security in Eretz Yisroel and throughout the world:

“There is a country north of Eretz Yisroel that has no connection with Jews, and thereby there is no relevance to the statement of ‘Eisav hates Yaakov,’ nor is there any claim that the conquered took something from the conqueror or that they had previously driven people out from there. Yet, despite the fact that there are no such arguments, a large army came in from another country and commits daily acts of murder (not [against] those fighting with them or those who took something from them, but) against innocent people r”l.

“And the excuse they found is that since they have to bring peace, justice, and honesty to the world, they brought in the military with weapons, shooting and killing innocent men, women, and children on a daily basis! They don’t do this at night in secret…rather they do it in broad daylight, and all the seventy nations of the world stand around while everyone cries out and urges them to help etc., and no one dares say a thing! This has been going on for weeks and months, and in recent days, it has taken place with even greater force.

“And all those (governments) that want us to rely upon their guarantees, as they give their word that they won’t allow (the Arabs) to violate the promises they made – they also know from this situation where people urge them to do something – that they won’t lift a finger!

“…We see what’s happening now on the northern side of Eretz Yisroel in an open and public manner, as they send messengers to speak and plead with them to do something, yet they do nothing to prevent the killing of innocent people, and it’s all simply because they want to conquer a land that is not theirs. From this we understand that it’s impossible to rely upon any [of their] promises.”

SENDING A MESSAGE OF CALM

While most of the Israeli public expresses no concern about a war with Iran, there are still many who feel much apprehension. The media in Eretz Yisroel is constantly dealing with the various possibilities in the event of an Iranian attack – or if they develop a nuclear bomb. Such talk merely brings tens of thousands of Jews to a state of panic.

These days remind us of an earlier era when Eretz Yisroel was under the threat of Arab armies. As a result, we have the same task today of publicizing the Rebbe’s announcement of “The Guardian of Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.” As Lubavitcher Chassidim, it is our sacred obligation to spread the message of the prophet of the generation that Eretz Yisroel is the safest place in the world, “a land in which the eyes of Hashem, your G-d, are upon it from the beginning of the year until the end of the year.”

During the most difficult times over the past several decades, the Rebbe spoke with a clear and definite voice. Every Chabad child knows the stories of the Six Day War, the Yom Kippur War, and the gas masks that stayed in the closet during the first Persian Gulf War. This firm voice – the voice of the leader of the generation – must be heard today with even greater vigor. Our responsibility is to calm the Jewish People from all the fear and threats, reminding them that G-d Alm-ghty is standing guard over us.

When we see all these amazing occurrences taking place around us in the Arab world, reminding us of the numerous Midrashim and prophecies of the Redemption, and when we clearly see how G-d’s Mighty Hand is leading all world events to the True and Complete Redemption, there is obviously no reason to fear and there will be great miracles on this occasion as well – and no evil shall befall us.