JEM: What Israel Must Learn From American History
In November of 1989, Israel’s Cabinet Secretary Elyakim Rubinstein explains how difficult it is to hold out against the pressures by US Secretary of State James Baker. In a notable departure from his patient disposition, the Rebbe repeatedly interjects, trying to school the Israeli diplomat on the way to earn Americans’ respect.
Sadly, despite Shamir’s hawkish reputation, the process in which Secretary Rubinstein and Prime Minister Shamir engaged led to autonomy in Gaza and the West Bank — and eventually to 10/7. When Americans exert pressure, they are testing how important an issue is; how integral is it to your survival? When you cave, you are declaring that it’s not truly imperative.