Despite being founded 250 years ago, the "Chabad" movement has returned to the spotlight once again following the murder of a Jewish rabbi on November 21. This renewed focus has sparked discussions about the movement both locally and globally, making it a point of interest for many.
Despite the secular nature of the ousted Israeli Minister of War Yoav Gallant, he has once again shed light on the "Chabad" movement by participating in its conference held in New York City on December 12, 2024, where he spoke about Operation "Al-Aqsa Flood," claiming, according to the Hebrew site "Walla," that "Israel" has achieved unprecedented successes thanks to the faith of the people of "Israel."
What Does "Chabad" Mean?
The term "Chabad" is a Hebrew acronym for the three intellectual capabilities: "wisdom, understanding, knowledge." It is one of the largest Hasidic movements known worldwide, indeed the largest Jewish organization. It was established by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi in 1788 and originated in Belarus, specifically in the village of Lubavitch, where it is often referred to as the "Lubavitch movement." The name is also associated with “the Lubavitcher Rebbe"; the term means “Rabbi of Lubavitch.” The movement later moved to Latvia, then Poland, and finally to the United States in 1940, where it established its headquarters in Brooklyn, New York.
"Chabad" is concerned with the spiritual and material needs of all Jews worldwide and enhancing their deeper connection to Jewish rituals and beliefs.
On December 1, 2024, the "Hebrew Channel 10" confirmed that the movement has penetrated over 110 countries around the world, in addition to all 50 U.S. states, after hundreds of Jews joined it over the past year alone, from various parts of the world, alongside 100 Jews within "Israel" alone.
The Movement's Beliefs
The movement describes itself as the most dynamic force in Jewish life today. According to the movement's official site, it is "a philosophy, a movement, and an organization" all at once. Shneur Zalman of Liadi, in his book "Tanya," known as "The Constitution of the Chabad Movement," claims that "gentiles are satanic, beastly creatures devoid of good, and that there is a fundamental difference between Jews and non-Jews. The existence of gentiles in the world is a temporary occurrence; they were created to serve Jews." This idea essentially means that "the Jew is a pillar of the universe, while others are merely servants to that Jew."
In his encyclopedia "Jews, Judaism, and Zionism," Dr. Abdel Wahab El-Masiri confirms that the "Chabad" movement focuses on the Torah and intellectual contemplation, and therefore, the first Hasidic Talmudical school (Yeshiva) was affiliated with this movement.
Members of the movement rely on the teachings of their seven leaders who explained the most intricate and sensitive aspects of Jewish mysticism, embodying the ancient Torah qualities of piety and leadership. The members focus on spiritual practices, mysticism, and personal connection to God. They believe that Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994), the seventh and last rabbi of the movement, is one of the most prominent Jewish figures of the twentieth century, and many of his followers consider him "the awaited Messiah," with some denying his physical death!
The movement rejects conceding land for peace and doubts the possibility of achieving peace between "Israel" and the Arabs.
The Tasks of the Radical Religious Movement
The Chabad centers spread around the world provide kosher food for local Jews and travelers, a place for prayer, and other religious services. These religious houses, numbering about 3,500 institutions, host lessons, lectures, and workshops related to Judaism, as well as special events that focus primarily on the spiritual and material needs of all Jews wherever they are, claiming to unify them worldwide, enabling them to know their traditions and deepen their connection to Jewish rituals and beliefs.
Kushner, Chabad, and the "Deal of the Century"
Immediately following the announcement of Rabbi Kogan's death in an Arab country, the "Seventh Hebrew Channel" highlighted the relationship between Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of elected US President Donald Trump, and the Chabad movement. It confirmed that he and his brother donated two million dollars to the extremist group, opening the door to the extent of the Kushner family's religious fundamentalism and the amount of money they have donated to Zionist institutions both inside and outside the Zionist entity, and to settlements in the West Bank, like "Itamar," which harbors the most extreme rabbis.
The true nature of Chabad is uncovered by the extent of its influence on Kushner in formulating the "Deal of the Century" and Trump's return to the White House.
This situation does not stop here; talks continue regarding the extent of the Kushner family's involvement in the "Deal of the Century," which involves the ongoing Zionist control over most of the West Bank occupied by "Israel" in 1967, the annexation of large settlement blocs in the West Bank to the entity, and the city of Jerusalem remaining unified under "Israeli" sovereignty.
However, the Israeli National Security Studies Center stated in a study published in January 2020 that while formulating the "Deal of the Century," Kushner did not overlook meeting with all leaders of Zionist parties, especially the extremist Lieberman, leaders of the settlements, and think tanks, in order to establish a preferred final solution from the "Israeli" perspective, at the expense of Palestinian lands.
Claims of the Movement Regarding the West Bank
The danger of the movement, according to its publications, lies in its rejection of the idea of land concessions for peace, and its skepticism about the possibility of reaching peace between "Israel" and the Arabs. It claims that maintaining possession of the territories seized in the 1967 war is essential not only to prevent attacks but also to protect against terrorism. Additionally, it asserts that the presence of Arab populations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip poses ongoing security problems that must be resolved.
The Movement’s Perspective on the "Al-Aqsa Flood"
On December 6, 2023, Channel 14 reported that some soldiers from the occupying army of "haredim" raised a sign on a house in the town of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza, announcing it to be the first house of "Chabad" in Gaza. Soldier Yossi Eliyahu raised a sign written in both Hebrew and English pertaining to this matter.
It was emphasized that since the beginning of the war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, soldiers affiliated with the "Chabad" movement decided to enter Gaza and engage in various actions and activities under the pretext of boosting the morale of the soldiers. Additionally, they aimed to encourage the rest of the soldiers, who are secular, to adopt their extremist ideas and to perform Talmudic prayers, alongside distributing cakes and carrying the "menorah" wherever soldiers were stationed in the sector. However, it is clear that these activities aim to forcibly displace Palestinians and impose Jewish settlement in Gaza.
Jewish Settlement in Gaza
This was affirmed by the official website of the movement on December 4, 2024, when it conducted an interview with Reserve Colonel Amir Avivi, the former head of the Chief of Staff's Office. He emphasized that complete Jewish settlement in Gaza, in the long term, is the solution for the country—not only for ideological reasons but for security reasons as well. He claims that anyone wanting complete security control over Gaza must facilitate Jewish settlement there; without it, the army will not be able to remain in the region.
Images of Zionist tanks patrolling Gaza, raising the yellow flag of the "Chabad" movement with a blue crown and the Hebrew word "Mashiach" underneath, circulated in Hebrew media. This reflects the beliefs of extremist Jewish groups who believe that the Messiah will bring salvation and victory to "Israel," according to Jewish belief.
In conclusion, the true nature of "Chabad" is revealed in its simplest examples, particularly in its connection and influence on Jared Kushner in shaping the "Deal of the Century." This situation may worsen in the future with Trump's return to the White House.
