Thousands Attend Protest Demonstration In New York

In the wake of the critical situation in Eretz Yisroel, a demonstration was held on Sunday, May 21, outside the Hilton Hotel in Manhattan, protesting the giving away of land. A dinner for Israel Bonds was taking place at the time, with Shimon Peres as guest of honor. The rabbanim of Crown Heights called upon the community — men, women, and children — to attend the demonstration.

Dr. Yosef Prager, one of the organizers of the demonstration, was the emcee. He called upon Rabbi Osdoba, member of the Crown Heights Beis Din, to lead the recital of Tehillim. Rabbi Reichman, a member of the board of Yeshiva University, spoke. He addressed the absurdity of the Israeli government’s approach, which endangers the lives of millions of Jews.

Rabbi Shmuel Butman, director of Lubavitch Youth Organization, noted that handing over the villages adjacent to Yerushalayim was made possible by the votes of Arab members of the Knesset, as there was no Jewish majority. Rabbi Butman also denounced the Shas leadership for endangering the residents of Eretz Yisroel in exchange for money.

Ms. Galinsky noted that Mayor Guiliani wasn’t embarrassed to throw terrorist Arafat out of an official event which took place in New York, whereas the Israeli government submits to everything Arafat says and puts out a red carpet for him.

Rabbi Y.Y. Katzman explained that the problem is not just with regard to the settlements in Yesha or Yerushalayim, but that the Arabs want Tel Aviv and Chaifa and all of Eretz Yisroel. If, ch’v, the government doesn’t stop offering concessions, who knows what it could lead to.

Rabbi Yekusiel Rapp related what the Rebbe said to one of the mayors living in Eretz Yisroel about pressure from the United States to return land. The Rebbe said the pressure came from Israeli politicians and not from the U.S. Rabbi Rapp also mentioned what the Rebbe told Geula Cohen thirty years ago, his forecast for the future, which we are experiencing right now.

Lubavitchers set up tefillin stands and helped passersby with the mitzva. They also distributed thousands of pamphlets containing selections from various sichos about shleimus HaAretz.

There was a separate children’s program led by Rabbi Shimie Weinbaum, who spoke about the children’s power to annul the evil plans of the enemy, as the Rebbe told us. This is based on the pasuk, “M’pi olelim v’yonkim yisadta oz, l’hashbis oyeiv u’misnakem.”

The children recited the 12 Pesukim and “Yechi.”

The demonstration, which was broadcast on American television, conveyed the Rebbe’s views on the so-called peace talks.

The organizers of the demonstration thanked the Vaad HaKahal of Crown Heights for their help in organizing the event, as well as Rabbi Yisroel Ber Kaplan, Rabbi Rapp, Rabbi Danny Cohen, Rabbi Albukurk, and Rabbi S.Z. Hertzel.