Let me state clearly and forcefully: the Israel Defense Forces, its commanders and soldiers, adhere to the purest principles of moral behavior, even at the expense of endangering their own lives. This phenomenon is not to be found in any other army in the world. Many of those nations and their leaders who are so busy accusing us of injustices are dictatorships and dictators with no inkling of democratic practices and who are the greatest supporters of terror. It is a disgraceful fact that puts all the other nations to shame for allowing these accusers to appear as the authentic judges of truth and for going along with their perverted accusations.

We certainly will not yield to political and misguided investigations, committee findings, and resolutions of the United Nations. The existence of the independent State of Israel is not contingent upon alleged good will and superficial declarations of concern and responsibility for the defense of Israel .

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The establishment of Jewish independence, the ingathering of the exiles, the great efforts of turning a desolate land into a blossoming Garden of Eden, the development of the creative and productive talents of the Jewish people, the amazing success of the Jewish state in taking a central position in all fields of human progress, and above all, the amazing strengthening of Torah life – all of this is part of a divinely guided process of redemption.

I am sure that strong Jewish faith has been the driving force over the past 100 years guiding the devoted and pioneering people of Israel along a path leading to creation of this divine phenomenon called the State of Israel. The blessing generated by the bond of a land and its people continues in our generation and we in Hebron have the privilege of being active participants. We are continuing in the path of our father Abraham, overcoming all difficulties, pain and barriers along the way.

The eternal power of life within our people will eventually convince our enemies that their wicked plans to destroy Jewish independence will never succeed. We believe the divine command to Abraham “Lech lecha” was meant to be a blessing. We are sure that this blessing is driving us forward despite all the difficulties stemming from international terror (which is still not really being confronted by the nations of the world).

Just as we are sure that a leadership of faith will arise to lead the Jewish people, we expect an authentic leadership to come forth among the nations of the world – leaders who will finally understand that they will merit a blessing only upon accepting the phenomenon of this divine bond between the Jewish people and its homeland.

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Rabbi Eliezer Waldman is rosh yeshivaof Yeshivat Nir Kiryat Arba.