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FLASHBACK - 2 December 1948
AMERICAN JEWS COLLECTIVELY NOW MORE COMPLICITOUS WITH
MILITANT ZIONISM THAN EVER
"Among the most disturbing political
phenomena of our time is the
emergence in the newly created state of Israel of the 'Freedom Party',
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."
Albert Einstein, et. al.
MID-EAST REALITIES - MER -
www.MiddleEast.Org - Washington - 4/21/04:
One of
the most disturbing developments in the United States is how easily the
leadership of the once liberal and progressive American Jewish
community has been nearly
completely co-opted into supporting the terribly militant, racist, and
neo-apartheid policies of the 'Jewish State' of
Israel. Of course there are many individual Americans
who are Jewish who do speak and write in opposition to what the
Israelis are doing; and in fact in opposition to what the 'organized'
Jewish community is doing. But on the national stage
there is no significant independent Jewish organization or spokesperson
to turn to. Indeed those few
that pretend to be such are actually
front-organizations manipulating liberal American Jews in coordination
with various political groups in Israel. Over
the years the Israeli Labor Party when in opposition has used
infiltrated and and funded front groups like 'Peace Now' and 'Tikkun'
to support their
own policies and to try to get 'liberal 'American Jews to harmlessly
channel their
money and energy to them. This additional tragic reality has
substantially
inhibited the growth of any truly independent movement among American
Jews to take the one crucial step that the Israelis do
fear: A clear call
from credible American Jews to end the unprecedented U.S. arming
and funding of Israel.
The previous generation of American Jews much better understood the
historical dangers
of Revisionist Zionism and the neo-fascist movement fathered by Zeev
Jabotinsky and
Menachem Begin. Today this movement is called 'The Likud"
and today it is headed by Ariel Sharon and in firm
control of
Israel as never before. Indeed, upon taking
the oath of office at Prime Minister Sharon had the picture of
Jabotinsky, not Theodore Herzl,
on the wall behind him. This collective letter that follows
was
signed by American Jews, including Albert Einstein, in 1948, upon the
first visit to the U.S. by Menahem Begin after the creation of Israel.
One other very important contemporary reality.
Many of the
'neo-cons' who are now in the highest positions of the American
government are among the supporters of Revisionist Zionism. The
number three official at the Pentagon, Douglas Feith, whose role in
Iraq is central, as well as the man put in charge of the Middle East at
the National Security Council, Elliott Abrams, and many associated with
them in the Bush Administration, are at the top of this list.
Even Secretary of State Colin Powell has privately referred to Feith's
office at the Pentagon as 'The Gestapo':
VISIT OF MENAHEM BEGIN AND AIMS
OF POLITICAL MOVEMENT DISCUSSED
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK TIMES:
Among the most disturbing political phenomena of our time 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 Menahem 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.
A shocking example was their behavior in the Arab village of Deit
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
ultra-nationalism, 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 it[s] 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.
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
MAJSEL, SEYMOUR MELMAN, MYER D. MENDELSON, M.D.,
HARRY M. ORLINSKY, SAMUEL PITLICK, FRITZ ROHRLICH,
LOUIS P. ROCKER, RUTH SAGER, ITZHAK SANKOWSKY, I.J.
SHOENBERG, SAMUEL SHUMAN, M. ZNGER, IRMA WOLPE,
STEFAN WOLPE.
New York,
Dec. 2, 1948.
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