Last week, on February 15th, vineyards and an olive grove in the Shilo Valley (Binyamin region of Samaria) that had flourished for more than twenty years under the care of fruit grower Hen Ben-Eliyahu were senselessly uprooted on orders from Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
Nearly a decade ago, the Ben-Eliyahus filed and won the right to retain and continue farming their land at a Civil Administration hearing. Unfortunately, a year later someone in the Civil Administration cancelled the judge”s ruling, forcing the Ben- Eliyahus to turn to the High Court – which decided against them. Yet no steps were ever taken to remove the family or their plantings until just now.
With yesterday”s announcement transferring the majority of control over the Civil Administration to Betzalel Smotrich, plus an agreement to appoint a civilian deputy to work on civil issues such as planning, infrastructure, water, zoning, and transportation, we at Crown Heights Women for the Safety and Integrity of Israel look forward to seeing great new opportunities for prosperity and true peace taking off in the Jewish heartland that was miraculously liberated in the Six Day War.
It is our hope that Prime Minister Netanyahu, who has retained final say in these matters, will do all that he can to assist in the launch of this fresh new beginning.
Until now, the justification for smashing Jewish homes and property was to please the US and the UN at bay. Considering the recent vote by the US against Israel in the UN and the arrogant lambaste that came with it by America”s Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, placating this “best friend” no longer seems quite so justifiable.
How prescient of the Lubavitcher Rebbe to have observed long ago that “the complaints will remain just as strong no matter if Israel settles one place or the entire border.”
Oy, oy how many Jewish lives might have been saved had Israeli leaders only taken to heart what the Rebbe was saying!
Standing with MK Limor Son Har Melech
In the midst of the fiasco at the Ben Eliyahu farm, not only were protesters brutally beaten but even more appalling was the alleged reprehensible sexual assault on MK Limor Son Har Melech, R”L.
Intentionally surrounded by four burly border policemen who prevented her from getting out of their “human” chain, Limor”s parliamentary immunity was thrown to the wayside as was her right to protest in a democratic state.
Despite the intensity of the moment, Limor maintained incredible poise and tried to reason with the policemen to let her go.
After suffering several long minutes of humiliation, Limor finally ducked under their arms and holding onto her head covering freed herself, but not before allegedly being sexually assaulted by the men. Rightly so, she gave a smack to one of them and called him chatzuf meaning shameless in English.
Crown Heights Women for the Safety and Integrity of Israel protests, in the strongest terms, against this very severe breach of halakhic and secular laws that protect women against sexual harassment and assault.
Such actions would never have been perpetrated, let alone even considered, against the non-Jewish women and girls who reside in Israel – nor should they ever be!
One can only imagine how much more these policemen might have gotten away with had there not been someone onsite filming them!
We call on the Prime Minister to immediately fire, without pay and benefits, Defense Minister Gallant and his subordinates in the Border Police who issued and carried out the orders to destroy the farm, beat protestors and assault MK Limor Son Har Melech.
There must be zero tolerance for this kind of behavior among the Jewish People, especially in the State of Israel!
Lighting the Rebbe”s Candle
Mr. Netanyahu, G-d Almighty has given you the opportunity to return to power and amend past mistakes. Few get that chance in their lifetime.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe gave you a blessing to illuminate the darkness. We hope that this time around you will light the Rebbe”s candle and carry its flame without hesitation toward true peace, security and sovereignty in the Land of Israel, our G-d Given eternal home.
Tamar Adelstein,is Coordinator of Crown Heights Women for the Safety and Integrity of Israel
