Jojo and Einstein vs. the Jabberwocky
The Berean challenge (part 3)
“Our Peace-mongers are trying to persuade us that the Arabs are either fools, whom we can deceive by masking our real aims, or that they are corrupt and can be bribed to abandon to us their claim to priority in Palestine [...] We may tell them whatever we like about the innocence of our aims, watering them down and sweetening them with honeyed words to make them palatable, but they know what we want, as well as we know what they do not want. […] that the Jews would gradually become the majority, and then a Jewish Government would follow automatically, and the future of the Arab minority would depend on the goodwill of the Jews […] Colonisation can have only one aim…”
—Ze'ev Jabotinsky,1 November 1923, Zionist leader, founder of the Irgun and the “Iron Wall” doctrine
“The views of the Christians [of Palestine] are summed up in the following message, [...] ‘The Moslems and Christians welcomed the British occupation because they did not know that their country had been sold to the Jews. […] The Christians of the whole world do not know of this treachery, nor did the three hundred millions of Moslems know of it. But some day it will be known, because it will surely mean another war.’”
—Albert T. Clay, February 1921, after returning from an excursion to oversee schools in Jerusalem and Baghdad
A warning from the East
In 1899, Yusuf al-Khalidi, mayor of Jerusalem, wrote a long persuasive letter to the chief Rabbi of France to pass on Theodor Herzl, leader of the Jewish Zionist movement in Europe.
"Anyone who knows me well knows that I make no distinction between Jews, Christians, and Muslims [...] don't we all have a common father? Isn't it the same God who created us all? [...] It is these feelings that put me at ease to speak frankly to you about the great question currently agitating your people. You suspect [correctly] that I want to talk about Zionism."
The well-educated, well-informed, well-traveled Khalidi appealed to Herzl to choose an unclaimed, unpopulated territory rather than Palestine to carry out the Jewish nation building project. Khalidi foresaw that Zionism in "Eretz Yisrael" would awaken Arab nationalism and unite Christians and Muslims against Jews in Palestine2 while also endangering Jews in the surrounding regions. "It is therefore necessary, for the tranquility of the Jews in Turkey" he wrote, "that the Zionist movement, in the geographical sense of the word, ceases... in the name of God, let Palestine be left alone."3
Herzl's reply characteristically masked what Khalidi already knew well from his exposure to the Jewish Zionists, their writings and annual congresses— the Zionists would eventually need to remove or reduce the existing Arab population of Palestine in order to realize their goals. "Who would think of sending them away?" Herzl wrote.
Khalidi, one of the Arab world's greatest thinkers, was not fooled. A few years prior, Herzl had written a soon to be famous book, The Jewish State (Der Judenstaat), in which he argued for Jewish emigration from Europe to Palestine resulting in a new political nation administered solely by Jews. Prior to the publication of Der Judenstaat, Herzl wrote in his personal diary:
"We shall try to spirit the penniless population across the border by procuring employment for it in the transit countries, while denying it employment in our country. [...] Both the process of expropriation and the removal of the poor must be carried out discretely and circumspectly."
“Who would think of sending them away?”
A warning from the West
Years later, one of the Western world's greatest thinkers, Albert Einstein, was also not fooled. The German-Jewish scientist who fled Nazi Germany in 1933 was a self-proclaimed Zionist and welcomed the idea of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. In contrast to Herzl, however, he advocated a cooperative non-political Zionism. He rejected the nation-building aims of the Zionist leadership and rejected the assumptions on which those aims were built.
"I cannot understand why it [a Jewish State] is needed. It is connected with narrow-minded and economic obstacles. I believe it is bad." —January 1946 to the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry4
A political state is not necessary for the protection of the Jewish people, he argued, nor for the realization of a Jewish homeland. Furthermore, a Jewish state in Palestine “defies common sense".5
Einstein had spent some time in Palestine in the early 1920s and had also accompanied the prominent Zionist leader, Chaim Weizmann, on a long fundraising tour of America in 1921. Weizmann went on to become Israel’s first President after Einstein turned the job down.6 Unlike Weizmann, Einstein believed that cohabitation between Jews and their "Arab kinfolk" is natural and attainable.7 His views on conflict in Palestine were similar to al-Khalidi’s —that "difficulties" between Jews and Arabs were artificially created by the British and stoked by the Jewish nationalist movement and by certain Zionist parties that he likened to fascist Nazis.8 In response to a British plan to partition Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish ethno-religious states, Einstein warned:
"I should much rather see reasonable agreement with the Arabs on the basis of living together in peace than the creation of a Jewish state. My awareness of the essential nature of Judaism9 resists the idea of a Jewish state with borders, an army, and a measure of temporal power, no matter how modest. I am afraid of the inner damage Judaism will sustain — especially from the development of a narrow nationalism within our own ranks..."10
Both Khalidi and Einstein feared and warned that Palestine would be overrun, not with Jews, but with exclusivist Political Zionism, a polarizing movement seeking 'a state at any cost'.11
One cannot understand the Israel-Palestine conflict without understanding Zionism— both Jewish Zionism, which we have discussed above, and Christian Zionism, which you may explore with the links below.
See below for a brief overview of this topic…
quick overview
“Wrestling with Zionism” by Jewish Voice for Peace. Interviews with Israeli and American Jews and Palestinian Arabs.
What is Zionism? from Unpacked (11min. video). An overview of Jewish Zionism from an Israeli-Zionist perspective. See the following footnotes for historical corrections and food for thought.1213
especially for Christians
Introduction to With God on Our Side (11min. video). An excerpt from a Christian-made documentary that follows a pastor’s kid through Israel as he investigates Zionism. See the full documentary here.
How Evangelicals Betray Christians in the Holy Land (11min. video). A journalist takes a look at Christian Zionism and interviews Christians in Israel and Palestine.
Understanding Israel and Palestine Pt 2: Christian Zionism. An interview with a Christian historian about Zionism and America's relationship with Israel. (1hr. podcast)
…and if you have lots of time on your hands, scroll down a little more.
optional deep dive for the curious
“Political Zionism” by Albert Clay. A glimpse into early 1920's Palestine. An American scholar and educator returns from excursions to Palestine and Baghdad in 1921 and writes an article for The Atlantic about the Zionist movement as it was happening on the ground in real time. (PDF with highlights for quick reading)
Why I no longer believe in a Jewish state from Peter Beinart, an American Jewish journalist and political commentator (5min. video)
“Our Approach to Zionism” from Jewish Voice for Peace. A brief description of Jewish Zionism, how it has harmed both Jews and others, and JVP’s policy on Zionism. (10min. read)
If you’re a real over-achiever, see “History of Zionism” on Wikipedia.
books for the readers
Edward Said. The Question of Palestine. Book summary here.
Rashid Khalidi. The Hundred Years War on Palestine.
irrelevant but interesting facts
The founder of Political Zionism in Europe eventually renounced the movement. Like Einstein, he came to believe that Political Zionism was contrary to the "essential nature of Judaism". See the footnote on Nathan Birnbaum.
NOTE: We use a variety of sources for the weblinks and include primary sources where possible. We try to select sources that are not annoyingly biased, while also avoiding a false (and boring) sense of balance. Our primary goal is to provide information and perspectives that are interesting, thought provoking, reliable, and unfamiliar to most Americans. We do not link to information that is already well known to our audience or reinforce perspectives that do not lead to a positive outcome. The opinions espoused in the linked resources are not necessarily our own.
Be wary of sources claiming to promote a “balanced” perspective…
—"A dangerous balancing act" by David Robert Grimes, EMBO Reports
—"Lies, Misinformation Play Key Role in Israel-Hamas Fight" by Todd C. Helmus and William Marcellino, RAND
Footnotes
Benzion Netanyahu (the current Prime Minister’s father) was personal secretary to Ze’ev Jabotinsky toward the end of Jabotinsky’s life. Netanyahu Sr. became an influential personality in the Revisionist Zionist movement that Jabotinsky founded in 1925. Jabotinsky’s revisionist philosophy has dominated Israeli politics since the late 1970s. The term “revisionist” refers to a revision of the Zionist movement’s pro-British policies after WW1 in favor of establishing an independent Jewish army and taking Palestine by force from the British and the Arabs.
Benjamin Netanyahu keeps Jabotinsky’s sword in his office and says, “I have Jabotinsky’s works on my shelf, and I read them often.” In 2023, Netanyahu said at the Jabotinsky memorial: “One hundred years after the Iron Wall was stamped in Jabotinsky’s writings we are continuing to successfully implement these principles.” More on the significance of Ze’ev Jabotinsky and the influential essay from which this quote is taken:
László Veszprémy, “Jabotinsky — The Intellectual Giant Behind Likud Policies”. Hungarian Conservative, 12 March 2023.
Eran Kaplan, “Israel’s ‘Iron Wall’: A brief history of the ideology guiding Benjamin Netanyahu”. The Conversation, 25 March 2024.
Chris Bambery, “The man in whose shadow Netanyahu walks”. Counterfire, 15 March 2024.
NOTE: If you are unfamiliar with Medieval and Early Modern history, this may sound like a stereotype— Muslims and Christians attacking Jews. However, the historical stereotype has actually been Muslims and Jews (and native Christians) uniting to attack or defend against European Christians. See the first article in this series for a brief look at this history of Muslim, Christian, and Jewish relations in the Middle East.
The letter is well-known, and you can see excerpts on Wikipedia. You can obtain a full copy of letter from The Central Zionist Archives. Also, see this short bio of Yusuf al-Khalidi.
"Prof. Einstein Opposes Jewish State; Says Britain Stirs Conflict in Palestine", Daily News Bulletin, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, 13 Jan 1946. More quotes from Einstein’s testimony before the committee:
Prof. Albert Einstein, testifying today before the Anglo-American Inquiry Commission, said he was against a Jewish State […] Prof. Einstein replied that the administration of Palestine should be international. He emphasized that he holds Americans responsible for what the British are doing in Palestine. Difficulties between Jews and Arabs were largely artificially created by the British, he declared. He criticized the British colonial policy as based on the principle of “divide and rule,” and charged the British administration with using the ex-Mufti of Jerusalem to foment trouble. As a former admirer of the British, he had come to his present convictions only after inner struggle, he testified.
[…] as to what he would do if Arabs resisted the immigration of Jews from Europe into Palestine, Prof. Einstein replied that “this will not be the case if they are not incited.” Questioned by Dr. Aydelotte concerning political versus cultural Zionism, he stated: “I was never for a political state.” […] as to what authority should have jurisdiction over Palestine, he said that he favored a government which would do best for all men concerned, whether Jews or Arabs.
Commissions like the inquiry committee, he added, were only a smoke screen to show good will, without there being any intention of following the advice given.
From a letter of Albert Einstein to Henry J. Factor, 21 Jan 1946, Shapell Manuscript Foundation.
“[…] I am in favor of Palestine being developed as a Jewish Homeland but not as a separate State. It seems to me a matter for simple common sense that we cannot ask to be given the political rule over Palestine where two thirds of the population are not Jewish. […] it is difficult for me to grasp that our Zionists are taking such an intransigent position which can only impair our cause.”
Thomas Tonon. "Why Did Einstein Refuse the Presidency of Israel?", Princeton Alumni Weekly, 9 May 2023.
Dan Falk, “One Hundred Years Ago, Einstein Was Given a Hero’s Welcome by America’s Jews”. Smithsonian Magazine, 2 April 2021.
Isidore Abramowitz, et al. "New Palestine Party: Visit of Menachem Begin and Aims of Political Movement Discussed", Letter to the New York Times, 2 Dec 1948, pub. 4 Dec 1948.
“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 is inconceivable that those who oppose fascism throughout the world, if correctly informed as to Mr. Begin's [future Israeli Prime Minister] political record and perspectives, could add their names and support to the movement he represents.” —from a letter to The New York Times, signed by Albert Einstein and others
Regarding whether Political Zionism is a type of fascism, see the below link to a short article explaining the difference between Fascism and Nationalism. Political Zionism is not a type of fascism, although certain parties and governments in Israel have leaned that way. The most striking similarity between Zionism and fascism is the failure to recognize the right of self-determination of certain other people groups and/or nations.
George Friedman, “Nationalism Is Rising, Not Fascism”. Geopolitical Futures. 31 May 2016.
Nathan Birnbaum. The founder of the Jewish Zionist movement in Europe, Nathan Birnbaum, eventually came to agree with Einstein— that Political Zionism runs contrary to the “essential nature of Judaism”. Birnbaum became an ardent anti-Zionist after getting in touch with his spiritual roots.
"Nathan Birnbaum". Wikipedia article
"Golus nationalism". Wikipedia article describing the movement conceived by Birnbaum after he abandoned Zionism.
Gedalia Guttentag. "The Life and Legacy of Dr. Nathan Birnbaum", Mishpacha, 5 Sept 2018.
Gili Izikovich. "When Albert Einstein was a Holy Land Ladies Man", Haaretz, 3 Feb 2015.
“at any cost”. For example, Tom Segev's new biography of David Ben-Gurion is appropriately titled, A State at Any Cost: The Life of David Ben-Gurion.
This video follows the Israeli-Zionist narrative of history by referring to the exile of the Jewish people by the Roman Empire in 70 CE after the destruction of Jerusalem, an exile that lasted 2,000 years. However, the Jews (Judeans) were not exiled from the Levant region by Rome (see “Fist Jewish-Roman War” on Wikipedia) or by any political entity before or after Rome. There was, however, a temporary exile of a large percentage of the Judean/Jewish people (estimates range from 10% to 30% of the total population) which took place in phases beginning at the turn of the 6th century BCE when they were conquered by the Neo-Babylonian Empire. The exiled Judeans were allowed to return in full in 539 BCE and were never exiled again. Many chose not to return in 539 BCE, however, and remained in the urban centers of the Persian empire, along with many foreign converts to Judaism (Remember, Judaism became highly successful proselytizing religion during this period and remained such until the rise of Christianity centuries later. See the Gospel of Matthew 23.15, for example, or the writings of Josephus.). The Judeans who remained in Persia and many others like them created rich Jewish cultures that lasted for ages. The Jewish community in the Tigris River Valley, for example, thrived for 2,500 years until it was tragically broken up in the mid-20th century.
Back to our critique of the video… Jewish communities have historically mourned the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, not because of exile but because of the destruction of the temple and the loss of political autonomy that they had previously enjoyed under the Persian and Macedonian empires, the Hasmonean kingdom, and the early Roman empire.
So… this brings us to the heated topic of the true identity of the ethnic/biological descendants of the Judean people. Are the Jews in the diaspora descended from exiled or expatriate Judeans (the Israeli-Zionist narrative)? Are they descended from foreign converts to Judaism (a common belief among historians)? Are modern Palestinians descended from ancient Judeans who converted to other religions later in history (an overly simplistic explanation espoused by David Ben-Gurion and others)? This topic is used by both Zionists and anti-Zionists as rhetorical ammunition, either to support or refute the claim that one party or another are the “rightful heirs” to the turf of the Levant region. Yes, there are historical answers to these questions. But at Salam 25, we do not believe this topic is a healthy part of the narrative of the Israel-Palestine conflict. Arguments on either side of this debate tend to feed the ethnic-nationalism and “us vs. them” that fuels both Political Zionism and Arab extremism— two cousins born of the same ideas. Fortunately, here in America, the idea that only certain ethnic or religious groups have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness on a particular plot of land is not a common belief.
However, we have seen discussions around this topic to have some usefulness in the Christian world— to open the eyes of those who have been raised in Western churches and encourage the rethinking of unquestioned assumptions. If you are one of those people, consider the following:
Acts 10.34 “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” —St. Peter speaking of non-Jews
Colossians 3:25 “…for the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, without partiality.” —St. Paul speaking to slaves, discouraging the belief that their oppression justifies their own wrongdoing to others
Some additional resources on this topic:
Rafael Behr, “Shlomo Sand: an enemy of the Jewish people?”. The Guardian, 16 Jan 2010.
"A lot of pro-Zionists in London and New York don't really understand what their great-grandparents felt about Zion," says Sand. "It was the most important place in the world in their imagination, as a religious, sacred land, not a place to emigrate." That "Israel" was a metaphysical destination to be reached at the End of Days. The modern Israeli state is a political enterprise, conceived in the late 19th century, made necessary by the Holocaust, founded in 1948. It is a young country. Many Jews see that as a weakness. The more insecure they feel, the tighter they cling to the myth of an ancient mandate.
But Israel's best hope is to acknowledge that its nationhood is invented and modernize even more. It must, Sand argues, reform itself so the state belongs to all its citizens, whether Jew or Arab. […] the alternative means Israel gambling its future on the consolidation of a mythic "people" in their "ancestral homeland". That is 20th-century-style ethnic nationalism. Many such projects have ended in tragedy."
—An interview with Shlomo Sand, historian at Tel Avivi University
Ofer Aderet, “The Jewish People's Ultimate Treasure Hunt”. Haaretz, 28 Dec 2012.
“The commonly accepted narrative considers the Jews to be descended from residents of the Kingdom of Judah who were exiled and returned to their native land - the modern-day State of Israel - only after thousands of years of exile. In contrast…” —An article summarizing various studies of Jewish DNA and genealogy
Uri Ram, “Zionist Historiography and the Invention of Modern Jewish Nationhood”. Israeli Historiography Revisited, vol 7, no 1, Spring-Summer 1995.
Shlomo Sand. The Invention of the Jewish People. A best-selling and controversial book in Israel by a historian at Tel Aviv University.