Albert Einstein letter
New York Times, December 4, 1948
TO THE EDITORS OF THE NEW YORK TIMES:
New Palestine Party Visit of Menachem
Begin and Aims of Political Movement Discussed
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. Beginâs 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 Beginâs
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 Beginâs 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.
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 Beginâs 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 WOLFE.
New York, Dec. 2, 1948
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