Quote from: Pepperfritz
"I wonder if Einstein foresaw what would happen once the state of Israel gained that power, via its relationship with the United States...."
Seems like six years before the abovementioned letter Einstein was co-signtist ;),
together with Hannah Arendt, among others, of the following letter to The New York Times:
Letters to The Times New York Times December 4, 1948
New Palestine Party Visit of Menachem Begin and Aims of Political
Movement Discussed
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.
(nemo: from de.wikipedia.org on Menachim Begin (winner of Peace Nobel Prize):
Menachem Begin later defended the systematic killings of more than 100 palestinians with the words:
"The massacre of Deir Jassin was not only justified
- without the "victory" of Deir Jassin there would have never been a state of Israel").
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 WOLFE.
New York, Dec. 2, 1948
from: _http://www.steinbergrecherche.com/19481204%20NYT%20Brief%20Arendt%20Einstein.pdf
