3 months ago

Rabbinical Congress for Peace Urges Trump: “Don’t Stop Until Hamas is Destroyed”

Members of the RCP with U.S. Ambassador to Israel-elect Mike Huckabee

The Rabbinical Congress for Peace—Pikuach Nefesh (RCP) wrote a letter to President Donald Trump, congratulating him on his victory, and urging the president to take action to “complete [the] destruction of Hamas in Gaza.” • Full Story

By Chabadinfo Reporter

Rabbi Yosef Gerlitzky and Rabbi Avraham Shmuel Levin of the Rabbinical Congress for Peace—Pikuach Nefesh (RCP) wrote a letter to President Donald Trump, congratulating him on his victory and asking to encourage Israel not to stop the war until Hamas is destroyed.

“Our hearts and thoughts are always with the families of the hostages,” the RCP writes. ” There is no doubt that we must do everything possible to secure their release without delay.”

However, they voiced strong opposition to the agreement signed between Israel and Hamas. “This is not how lives are saved—it is how lives are endangered. Not just dozens or hundreds, but the lives of millions of Jews are at risk.”

The RCP urged the president to take action to “complete [the] destruction of Hamas in Gaza.”

The RCP was founded in 1993 in order to alert public attention to the clear position of the Torah concerning territories under Israeli rule. This Halachic ruling is anchored in the supreme value in Jewish Law known as “the sanctity of life.” Saving a life supersedes the entire Torah. Because of this value, the Torah unequivocally forbids relinquishing even one inch of territory under Jewish rule or participating in any negotiations concerning withdrawal from any such territory.

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The full letter, dated 27th of Teves 5785, verbatim:

Dear Mr. President,

Greetings and Blessings,

Please accept our warm congratulations on your victory and our best wishes for your success as you prepare to take on the responsibilities and challenges of your high office.

More than 400 of Israel’s most prominent rabbis, both past and present, are members of the Rabbinical Congress for Peace. Along with millions of Jews worldwide and in Israel, we are deeply saddened and disappointed by the recent hostage agreement between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas.

Our hearts and thoughts are always with the families of the hostages. It is heart-wrenching and deeply painful to witness our precious brothers and sisters enduring the unspeakable anguish of captivity. There is no doubt that we must do everything possible to secure their release without delay. This is a matter of saving lives and upholding the eternal Jewish principle of mutual responsibility.

However, this is not how lives are saved—it is how lives are endangered. Not just dozens or hundreds, but the lives of millions of Jews are at risk.

The recent agreement to free thousands of terrorists in exchange for a few dozen Israeli hostages has given an enormous boost to terrorism. According to Israeli polls, 82% of the terrorists who were released will return to their terrorist activities with greater vigor.

The clear message of the current agreement is to increase the appetite and motivation of Hamas and other terrorist organizations to kidnap Israeli citizens and commit further atrocities. Israel has sent out a message to everyone: abduct Israelis and you will be rewarded with the release of thousands of terrorists; continue killing Jews, and you will always be freed through some form of hostage negotiation, even if captured.

When a nation fights for its existence in the face of enemies seeking its destruction, there is no higher or more important goal than defeating and dismantling the enemy.

We urge you, Mr. President, to encourage the Israeli government not to end the war in Gaza until its ultimate goal is achieved: the complete destruction of Hamas in Gaza.

Respectfully,

Rabbi Joseph Gerlitzky – Rabbi Avrohom S. Lewin
Chairman Executive Director