Buy Your Own Piece of Israel!
Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM - Shabbat Vayetzei 5770

Last week, on Shabbos, I shared with the community a talk given by former Mosad chief, Efraim Halevy. He described how each night Israeli special forces from all commands entered the West Bank. The purpose of these nightly raids, he continued, was not only to ensure Israel's security, but to preserve the Palestinian government, which would immediately fall without Israeli military support.

He cited the example of the billions of dollars that were invested in establishing security infrastructure in Gaza by the Americans and Europeans . This expensive and exhaustive project was overseen by a three-star American general and the money spent on training Palestinian forces, security buildings and modern military apparatus. As soon as Hamas attacked the Palestinian commanders fled to the West Bank while the expensive infrastructure was taken over by Hamas.

Bemoaning the fact that the West has a short memory, he noted that this same three-star general was now training Palestinian forces in the West Bank…

He further went on to state that there was no emergent Palestinian leadership that Israel could negotiate with - they were all simply too weak to control their own affairs, let alone cut a deal with Israel that they were capable of upholding.

I found Halevy's talk fascinating. It was the first time that I had heard a top Israeli government official say that the existence of a Palestinian State was not viable. Indeed, that it would become a failed state infiltrated with the most radical Islamic elements - far more radical than Hamas, according to Halevy - right on Israel's borders.

I later asked him why, if the danger to Israel's security was so clear, was Netanyahu so keen on recommencing negotiations? He responded curtly, "that's what Obama wants, isn't it?"

So there you have it: According to Halevy - and I don't think there is any reason to doubt it, he is after all neither a "settler" nor a "right-winger" - Israel's foreign policy is effectively being governed against her best interests by US demands.

The ultimate question is what can we - here in Australia - do about it?

Last week we hosted Tzvi Slonim, former Chief Parole Officer of Israel, and current head of Israel's Land Redemption Fund. He is a man dedicated to building Israel's security, and came to Australia to explain how it is possible for us to redeem sections of the Land of Israel in a manner that would be recognisable by international courts of law. The principle aim here is not merely religious - it is about enhancing Israel's security in the difficult years ahead.

The Land Redemption Fund selling one dunam (100 sq. meter) lots of land in the Netanya area for $20,000US. The lots were legally purchased from Arabs and all aspects of the operation are legally scrutable and fully co-ordinated with the relevant Israeli government authorities.

I briefly elaborated on Slonim's proposal in shule last Shabbos and suggested that we form syndicates with each person putting in $2,000US for a 10% share. I was amazed with the response, with 11 people committing to purchasing a share so far, and a number of others expressing interest in purchasing a lot outright.

Mr Les Kraus, our treasurer, has kindly agreed to co-ordinate the purchase of South Head lots. Please approach him via email or call on 0425 309 345 if you are interested or wish more information.

For obvious reasons, I do not wish to elaborate on all aspects of this project in print, however if you would like more information, Ari Briggs, NSW Betar Shliach and local co-ordinator of the Land Redemption Fund, would be happy to give you all necessary information. He can be contacted on 0413 061 791 or email.