The Lubavitcher Rebbe on: A Referendum

B"H

From the writings of The Lubavitcher Rebbe

The wording of the question, when they go to make a referendum on giving away territory!

“I suspect those who wish to solve the dispute on the retreat by making a referendum, because inherent danger lies in the very wording which will be offered. If they will come and ask the nation: “Are you prepared to give up land in return for peace?” - this would constitute a deliberate misleading of the voters, because by posing the question in this deceitful form, they are already slipping in half the response which they wish to elicit; as if to suggest that giving away land will bring peace.

If they are going for such a referendum, this should be only on condition that they will set out the wording in a form such as follows:
Is it worth while to place a life-threatening danger into every single home in Eretz Israel, to bring on the threat of war, with Israel left remaining without oil, without borders, without defense, with the enemy close to our major population centers, in return for the signature of Sadat (at the time this was said - translator), at a time when Egypt to this day has already betrayed their signature four times; and it is clear that Sadat will not live much longer and will not rule over Egypt for ever; and it is clear that he has no control over the Arabs in Yehuda and Shomron, and that the Arabs of Yehuda and Shomron announce publicly that their intention is to annihilate and kill all people who dwell in Zion. And it is clear that even were one group to agree to peace, other groups will not be in agreement – so the question is – given this situation, is it worth while to return lands in return for a piece of paper which obligates nobody?”

(From a private interview with Mr Shmuel Katz)