Over the weekend I took part in a discussion in which a great deal of ire was generated over the propriety of comparisons between Zionism, Anti-Zionism and Nazism. Reproduced below ia letter written by Albert Einstein to the New York Times on the occaision of a visit by Menachim Begin to the US. I present it not further inflame the debate but in hopes that some historical perspective might provide for a more constructive discussion.
(Update) Well I wanted to see what sort of discussion the Einstein letter would produce and I got my wish in spades. I wish I could say that it was entirely constructive but that would be quite an exageration. I did receive some constructive criticism from Borkitekt among others.
Unfortunately there was good deal of what I would describe as distortion and diversion as well. Specifically, while the title may be less clear than it might have been, the signicance that some attach to it borders on the delusional. It's been particularly interesting to note how some think they know what my opinions on Zionism, Israel, Palestine, etc. are based on nothing more than the fact that I reproduced a letter that had some very unpleasant things to say about Menachim Begin and his followers.
Now for those honestly puzzled by my choice of title, the following explanation fron the comments:
I thought the letter had significance to the debate between Zionists and Anti-Zionist over the propriety of Nazi comparisons. I thought it would be instructive to recognize that at the time of Israel's founding such figures as Einstein , Arendt and Hook felt no hesitation in making just such a comparison. So we had the two conflicting sides of the argument, Zionism and Anti-Zionism, to which I added the example of Einstein.
I intentionally took a very minimal approach to my intro because I wanted the focus to be the substance of the Einstein letter. I didn't want to prejudice the discussion by issuing my own opinion or by characterizing the letter in any way. Clearly this strategy failed, otherwise I wouldn't be obliged to be explaining my choice of title and its formulation.
I would underline the last sentence.
Sad to say this answer didn't satisfy the commentor but I doubt anything could.
I'll have more to say about this experience in another diary.
One last note on this silliness about the title, again drawn from the comments:
The title reads "Zionsm, Anti-Zionism and Einstein." It does not read "Einstein was an anti-Zionist" or "Einstein was a Zionist" and it certainly doesn't read "Einstein was both a Zionist and an Anti-Zionist" or even "Einstein's opinion of Zionism."
Letters to the Editor
New York Times
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 throughoutthe 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 ? 240men, 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.
Discrepancies Seen
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.
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
SEYMOUR MELMAN
MYER D. MENDELSON
M.D., HARRY M. OSLINSKY
SAMUEL PITLICK
FRITZ ROHRLICH
LOUIS P. ROCKER
RUTH SAGIS
ITZHAK SANKOWSKY
I.J. SHOENBERG
SAMUEL SHUMAN
M. SINGER
IRMA WOLFE
STEFAN WOLF.
New York, Dec. 2, 1948