Today marks
the 70th anniversary of the publication in the New York Times of a letter to
the editor by a group of Jewish intellectuals including Hannah Arendt and
Albert Einstein.
The letter was written on the
occasion of the visit to the United States of Menachem Begin. Begin, who had
led the Jewish terror organisation Irgun, had recently formed a right-wing
political party named Herut.
The establishment of Herut was,
they believed, a development full of ominous portent that would lead Israel
down the path which would legitimise “ultra-nationalism, religious mysticism
and racial superiority.”
Herut later morphed into Likud
which first came to power in 1977 and today is the leading party of a coalition
universally acknowledged to be Israel's most right-wing government ever.
December 4, 1948
TO THE EDITORS OF THE NEW YORK TIMES:
Among the most disturbing political phenomena of our times is
the emergence in the newly created state of Israel of the “Freedom Party” (Tnuat Haherut), a political party
closely akin in its organization, methods, political philosophy and social
appeal to the Nazi and Fascist parties. It was formed out of the membership and
following of the former Irgun Zvai Leumi, a terrorist, right-wing, chauvinist
organization in Palestine.
The current visit of Menachem Begin, leader of this party, to
the United States is obviously calculated to give the impression of American
support for his party in the coming Israeli elections, and to cement political
ties with conservative Zionist elements in the United States. Several Americans
of national repute have lent their names to welcome his visit. It is
inconceivable that those who oppose fascism throughout the world, if correctly
informed as to Mr. Begin’s political record and perspectives, could add their
names and support to the movement he represents.
Before irreparable damage is done by way of financial
contributions, public manifestations in Begin’s behalf, and the creation in
Palestine of the impression that a large segment of America supports Fascist
elements in Israel, the American public must be informed as to the record and
objectives of Mr. Begin and his movement.
The public avowals of Begin’s party are no guide whatever to its
actual character. Today they speak of freedom, democracy and anti-imperialism,
whereas until recently they openly preached the doctrine of the Fascist state.
It is in its actions that the terrorist party betrays its real character; from
its past actions we can judge what it may be expected to do in the future.
Attack on Arab Village
A shocking example was their behavior in the Arab village of
Deir Yassin. This village, off the main roads and surrounded by Jewish lands,
had taken no part in the war, and had even fought off Arab bands who wanted to
use the village as their base. On April 9 (THE
NEW YORK TIMES), terrorist bands
attacked this peaceful village, which was not a military objective in the
fighting, killed most of its inhabitants “240 men, women, and children” and
kept a few of them alive to parade as captives through the streets of
Jerusalem. Most of the Jewish community was horrified at the deed, and the
Jewish Agency sent a telegram of apology to King Abdullah of Trans-Jordan. But
the terrorists, far from being ashamed of their act, were proud of this
massacre, publicized it widely, and invited all the foreign correspondents
present in the country to view the heaped corpses and the general havoc at Deir
Yassin.
The Deir Yassin incident exemplifies the character and actions
of the Freedom Party.
Within the Jewish community they have preached an admixture of
ultranationalism, religious mysticism, and racial superiority. Like other
Fascist parties they have been used to break strikes, and have themselves
pressed for the destruction of free trade unions. In their stead they have
proposed corporate unions on the Italian Fascist model.
During the last years of sporadic anti-British violence, the IZL
and Stern groups inaugurated a reign of terror in the Palestine Jewish
community. Teachers were beaten up for speaking against them, adults were shot
for not letting their children join them. By gangster methods, beatings,
window-smashing, and wide-spread robberies, the terrorists intimidated the
population and exacted a heavy tribute.
The people of the Freedom Party have had no part in the
constructive achievements in Palestine. They have reclaimed no land, built no
settlements, and only detracted from the Jewish defense activity. Their
much-publicized immigration endeavors were minute, and devoted mainly to
bringing in Fascist compatriots.
The discrepancies between the bold claims now being made by
Begin and his party, and their record of past performance in Palestine bear the
imprint of no ordinary political party. This is the unmistakable stamp of a
Fascist party for whom terrorism (against Jews, Arabs, and British alike), and
misrepresentation are means, and a “Leader State” is the goal.
In the light of the foregoing considerations, it is imperative
that the truth about Mr. Begin and his movement be made known in this country.
It is all the more tragic that the top leadership of American Zionism has
refused to campaign against Begin’s efforts, or even to expose to its own
constituents the dangers to Israel from support to Begin.
The undersigned therefore take this means of publicly presenting
a few salient facts concerning Begin and his party; and of urging all concerned
not to support this latest manifestation of fascism.
(signed)
ISIDORE ABRAMOWITZ, HANNAH ARENDT, ABRAHAM BRICK, RABBI JESSURUN
CARDOZO, ALBERT EINSTEIN, HERMAN EISEN, M.D., HAYIM FINEMAN, M. GALLEN, M.D.,
H.H. HARRIS, ZELIG S. HARRIS, SIDNEY HOOK, FRED KARUSH, BRURIA KAUFMAN, IRMA L.
LINDHEIM, NACHMAN MAISEL, SYMOUR MELMAN, MYER D. MENDELSON, M.D., HARRY M.
ORLINSKY, SAMUEL PITLICK, FRITZ ROHRLICH, LOUIS P. ROCKER, RUTH SAGER, ITZHAK
SANKOWSKY, I.J. SCHOENBERG, SAMUEL SHUMAN, M. ZNGER, IRMA WOLPE, STEFAN WOLPE.
New York, Dec. 2, 1948
Adeyinka Makinde is a writer based in London, England.
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