Rabbi Me'ir Kahane hy"d Vindicated?

7 of the Second Month 5771

Like many of you, I received this in an e-mail from Women In Green. I have yet to find a link to it on the web, and so I will post it here, in its entirety, followed by my comments.

Yom ha-Atzmaut 5771
Israel Independence Day 2011
MK Ze'ev Elkin at Netzer:

"There Is No Room on the Hills of Judea and Samaria for Two States. It's Either Us or Them"

Hundreds of people came from throughout Israel last night for the independence celebration at the Netzer hill, organized by Women for Israel's Tomorrow (Women in Green), out of solidarity with those who are struggling there to rescue the state lands from a takeover by the Arabs.

To the cheers by those present, MK Ze'ev Elkin said:

"In the struggle for Gush Etzion in 1948, the Jews fought for a Jewish Jerusalem. In the present struggle for the hills of Judea and Samaria, and also for this hill [Netzer], the struggle is for the future of the Jewish state, no more and no less. For there is no room on these hills for two states. It's either us or them. And so, each hills says 'We are here' - and if us, it's us, and not them."

The Israel Prize laureate former MK Geula Cohen recited the Shehekhiyanu ("... who has brought us to this time") blessing for the Holy One, blessed be He, having enabled her to be part of the struggle for Eretz Israel, from before the establishment of the State of Israel to the present. And here, too, at Netzer, the struggle for Eretz Israel is taking place, Cohen pointed out.

Rabbi Gideon Perl, the Gush Etzion regional rabbi, greeted those present. He related that in every generation there are pioneers who go before the camp, and this is how they act at Netzer, to save the lands.

The happening at Netzer began after the fireworks from all the communities of Gush Etzion had fallen silent. Dozens of cars filled the parking places at the foot of the Netzer hill- parking that had been prepared the preceding day for the convenience of the celebrants. The entire hill was illuminated by torches and spotlights. Looking from below, this seemed to be a settlement that had been established in a day. And indeed, within 24 hours the hill became a place brimming with life. Automobiles and jeeps unloaded equipment for the event: generators, chairs, a stage, a sound system, gravel to improve the paths. The place wore a festive appearance with the dozens of Israeli flags that blew in the wind of the Judean hills.

Guides directed people to the top of the hill. For those who had difficulty in climbing up, a jeep stood in readiness to shuttle them to the top.

Already on the way up, the smell of felafel filled the air, and when the celebrants reached the hill top, they could enjoy hot, fresh felafel that was prepared on the spot, hot coffee and cookies, and the Eretz Israel music of Udi Gefen and the Israelim band. The children enjoyed the balloons in all different shapes by Elazar Brandt.

When Geula Cohen arrived, she asked, amazed: "How did you manage to bring so many people up here?"

The dancing kept everyone physically warm, and the words by the speakers warmed people's hearts, and kept alive the fire of the fighting spirit.

Yes, this was a breathtaking sight at Netzer on Yom ha-Atzmaut 5771. Hundreds of people, men, women, and children, took the hills of Netzer with their feet. On the way they saw the hundreds of trees that have been planted in the past two years by the members of Women in Green and the Netzer Group.

This was a moving evening at Netzer - an evening of growth, thanksgiving, and Eretz Israel.

The following day, Tuesday, Yom ha-Atzmaut, dozens of hikers and families filled the hills of Netzer in order to increase the Jewish presence and to enjoy this enchanting picnic site. Thank G-d, Netzer is on the map of awareness as a place that continues the pioneering spirit of the redemption of the lands of Eretz Israel.

Yom ha-Atzmaut Sameah!
Happy Independence Day!

Correct me if I am wrong, but a Member of K'nesseth is advocating the transfer of Arabs out of Israel, or at least Gush Etzion?

Is that not what Rabbi Me'ir Kahane ztz"l hy"d was saying in his book They Must Go!?

Funny how former MK Ge'ulah Cohen (Techiya) was standing right there.

It was Ge'ulah Cohen's Techiya Party which advocated annexation of Yehudah & Shomron (Judea & Samaria), yet would never think of "transfer."

In fact, it was not Ge'ulah Cohen's Techiya Party which was behind the legislation banning Rabbi Kahane's Kakh Party. That's right. It was a right wing party, not a left wing party which was in the forefront of Kakh's demise in the K'nesseth. (Photo: Rabbi Tzvi Yehudah HaKohen Kook and Rabbi Me'ir Kahane)

Could it be that Ge'ulah Cohen's Techiya Party was concerned over the surveys, suggesting that Rabbi Kahane's Kakh Party was expected to receive 14 mandates in the next elections?

Could it be that Techiya Members of K'nesseth were concerned that those mandates would be taken from them, and not from a left wing party?

All of this is speculation, of course. Yet, it is ironic that former MK Ge'ulah Cohen was a party to such "Kahanist" rhetoric, given her history and apparent negative attitude toward Rabbi Kahane and Kakh.

The following story I was told by one his closest talmidim, illustrates what I mean:

A day in K'nesseth, someone came running up to Rabbi MK Kahane to tell him that MK Ge'ulah Cohen was being attacked by an Arab MK in the K'nesseth cafeteria (I do not recall his name).

Rabbi MK Kahane ran out to the cafeteria to MK Cohen. Whatever ensued, I do not recall. However, it is my understanding that MK Cohen told Rabbi Kahane, "I do not need you to defend me."

Rabbi Kahane replied with something like, "Who said I did it for you. It is a mitzvah to defend a Bat Yisra'el."

MK Cohen stormed away in a huff.

Ah, but alas! The lack of clarity in the translation of MK Elkin's speech concerns me.

Experience has taught me to be a pessimist when such words are being spouted off by MK's at Women In Green events.

MK Elkin most likely was referring to the "one-state" solution, and never intended anyone to think that he would consider the transfer of Arabs out of Yehudah & Shomron.

And, so, it appears that former MK Geulah Cohen was simply hearing someone mention her Techiya Party line, and perhaps even reminiscing about it, without any notion at what a failure it was.

The Techiya Party is dead and gone, B"H.

But saying I told you so, even if these Jews had a clue,would be no vindication for Rabbi Kahane hy"d, who loved Am Yisra'el dearly.

As long as Jews continue to be killed, as long as Jews continue to make the same mistakes, expecting different results, as long as Jews repeat the mistake of negotiating with the Yishma'elim (Arabs) in the way that they do, as long as Jews repeat the mistake of encouraging assimilation among goyshe (non-Jewish) cultures, and as long as Jews repeat the mistake of discouraging aliya (immigration to Israel), even by religious Jews, Rabbi Kahane's memory will not achieve any vindication.