On Tuesday, at Rep. Elise Stefanik’s confirmation hearing for ambassador to the U.N. the following exchange happened with Senator Chris Van Hollen.
Van Hollen: “Do you subscribe to the view… that Israel has a biblical right to the entire West Bank?”
Stefanik: “Yes”
Van Hollen: “[This is] a view that was not held by the founders of the State of Israel.”
While I commend Rep. Stefanik for publicly declaring the truth and am delighted that many in the new administration share this view, this part of Senator Van Hollen’s response was unfortunately on target. Not only did the state founders not publicly declare this view, but it remains virtually absent from the official public relations talking points of its representatives until today.
If the representatives of the United States are publicly proclaiming the truth, the time has come for Israel to do the same, publicly and unabashedly. Now is a good time to correct this historic and tragic error.
This week’s Torah portion Vaeira opens with G-d’s promise to the Jewish people they will be redeemed from Egyptian slavery and inherit the Promised Land. “I will bring you to the land regarding which I raised My hand to swear that I would give it to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you as a heritage; for I am G-d.’”(Exodus 6:8)
The land is ours. Not because it was a Jewish state 3,000 years ago. Not because ever since then there has been a continuous Jewish presence. Not because the United Nations agrees that this is the Jewish homeland. Not because an independent state was proclaimed in 1948. These facts, when devoid of the true basis of our claim, fail to hold firm in the current struggle. The basis of our right to the land is that G-d, the Creator of the world, gave it to us as an eternal inheritance, as recorded in the Torah.
Israel is facing tremendous challenges. We hope and pray for G-d’s protection, and that true peace and tranquility reign there for all. However, we must know and appreciate why Jews belong there in the first place, and be open and candid about it. Even if Israel’s detractors and enemies refuse to share these beliefs, they will certainly respect Israel for being honest in its beliefs.
While it would be wonderful to influence Israeli society with this, I believe this message is relevant to every Jew in the world. Although I discourage engaging in useless debates on the topic, every Jew automatically represents Israel to a circle of friends and acquaintances. Just being confident and secure with the knowledge that we have the strongest, irrefutable claim and right to the land is enough to project this truth to everyone and make an impact.
I highly recommend watching this video entitled Israel's Deed of Ownership | The Rebbe's Roadmap to Peace, Episode 1 to appreciate this perspective’s fundamental truth, intellectual depth, and practical relevance.