The constant engagement in political negotiations creates a feeling that only yesterday the 'territories' that are being discussed fell into our hands, and that there is some problem here that needs to be solved. A quick glance at the calendar makes it clear how mistaken and unfounded this feeling is. We are talking about a reality that has existed for forty-seven years!
In these days, forty-seven years ago, the Six-Day War broke out, in which precious parts of the Land of Israel were returned to the people of Israel, most notably Old Jerusalem. Forty-seven years are two generations. Those born in those days can already be grandparents to their grandchildren. And we continue to talk about the 'territory problem.'.
The most just war
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Nineteen years earlier, we also 'occupied' territories, but then we didn't call it occupation but liberation, and the war the war of liberation. Thanks to that war, Jews can live safely in Ashdod and Ashkelon, in Acre and Nahariya, in Ramla and Lod, in Beit Shemesh and Kiryat Gat, in Beersheba and Upper Nazareth.
If we talk about official recognition by the world, then the territory intended for the Jewish state is within the borders of the 'partition.' The Arabs never agreed to the 'settlement' in Ramla and Acre. But it was clear to us that these territories were not intended to be handed over to the enemy, but rather this was another step on the way to restoring the entire Land of Israel to the Jewish people. We did not ask for the consent of the Arabs and the approval of the world, and we did what was best for the Jews.
The Six-Day War was the most just war. Arab armies surrounded us and spoke explicitly of their desire to destroy (whether it ever existed or not) the Jewish state. The older among us remember well the anxiety and worry that filled the heart of every Jew during those tense days. But God, the Almighty, stood at our right hand and performed the mighty miracle of victory over our enemies within six days. What exactly do we need to apologize for?
How is it possible that no one would consider handing over Ashkelon, the biblical Philistine city, to Arabs, while negotiations are underway over Jerusalem, Hebron, Shiloh, and Anatot?! Where did we get the self-indulgence to declare immediately after the war that the liberated territories were nothing more than a 'deposit' that would be returned when peace comes?!
The forty-seven years that have passed illustrate to what extent our presence in Judea and Samaria and the Golan Heights is the hand of God. After all, we did not intend to conquer these territories from the beginning. Even after the war, we expressed our willingness to give them up in exchange for a peace agreement. And yet, it becomes clear again and again that it is not the 'territories' that are the 'obstacle' to peace, but our very existence in the Land of Israel.
Build without stuttering
Unfortunately, there are Jews who turn the characteristic of Jewish stubbornness into repeated attempts to give our enemies the territories of our country. Reality has proven time and time again that every such concession has distanced peace. The Oslo Accords flooded our streets with murderous terrorist attacks. The expulsion of the Jews from the Gaza Strip established the state of Hamas over us and the threat of missiles to the entire south and center. And these are their own, as if their eyes were closed.
After forty-seven years, it is time to put an end to all these delusions. We must internalize that we are here to stay. We must build hundreds of thousands more homes in all the cities and towns in Judea and Samaria and the Golan Heights, and announce once and for all, without hesitation, that the people of Israel have returned to their land and the inheritance of their ancestors.
