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Friends of Israel —
but Enemies of Zionism
Interview with a Communist Ideologist
here religious. A national minority? If so in
what way do they differ from the Slovaks
and the Uzbecks and hundreds of other
peoples who enjoy complete equality in the
the Soviet Union and need not and do not
want to emigrate.
“Do you know,” I said to him, “the anal
ogy is hardly apt. Religion or nationality
— it is difficult to define. But in something
the Jew is different from all other peoples.
And even if he himself is not conscious of
the fact, others are. Even you, who do not
look like a Jew and do not bear a Jewish
name, and wield some influence, and
yet. ...”
by P. LANDAU
“You must realize that we are true
friends of the State of Israel. It is a young
and virile force in the stagnant Middle
East. It has been born in a spirit of rebel
lion against British Imperialism. Nolens
volens, it will continue upon such a course
in the future, for the British reactionaries
will always support Arab feudal leaders,
who will always cherish dreams of re
venge. Perforce you will be allies of those
who oppose British imperialism and collab
orators with the forces of progress. And
perforce, like ourselves you will oppose a
new world war.”
The speaker was a prominent Commu
nist ideologist, who had shaped the policy
of one of the Eastern European states. Of
course, he was a Jew. We were together
that evening in the Government building
after we had exchanged a number of cur
sory remarks regarding immigration.
“I know” he continued,” that many
among you are of the opinion that we sup
ported you in UNO for tactical reasons.
That is not correct. It is true we did have
a short-term objective, but at the same
time we looked further ahead and saw
that we were natural partners. We do not
seek friendship with Israel only as long as
we are openly opposed to Britain, but af
terwards too. We are prepared to prove
this and to help you.
“By stopping immigration,” I said. Only
then did he grow excited.
“But that is an entirely different matter
That is not your affair, it affects only our
citizens, who were born and brought up
here, who work here and own a share in
our people’s democratic state and have no
connection with you.”
“Excepting,” I replied, “that they are
Jews.”
“Well,” he said, “so am I a Jew. Have
you any claim on me because of that. That
I should go to Palestine and settle there.
I don’t know the language and don’t share
their aspirations and to be a citizen under
a clerical government, when I occupy an
important position here and contribute not
inconsiderably towards the building of the
State, towards a new modern society, to
wards the achievement of social justice in
the world, towards the redemption of the
masses. Why should I do such a thing and
why should you assume such a possibility.
Can a man betray his mission in life and
faith? For what? What is the meaning of
the term Jew? Religion? I am not religious
nor are any of the Jews who have remained
by MATITIAHU HINDES
The S.S. Haifa, when it anchors in the
lower part of New York harbor, is an ob
ject of keen interest to passersby. Accus
tomed to seeing flags of all nations waving
at the stern of many ships, the appearance
of the blue-and-white flag of Israel strikes
a new note.
Landlocked for centuries, Jews, never
theless, have maintained the tradition of
the sea as a part of their heritage. Now, as
Dr. Chaim Weizmann, President of Israel,
said, “Israel controls its own waters,” the
He was silent. He saw what I was hint
ing at. A few days previously he had
visited a small town to deliver a speech in
the name of the government. The event
had been prepared properly by the police
and the army. But not a single man among
the peasants had come. And instead of the
huge “Welcome” banner his name, his
previous Jewish (Continued on next page)
citizens of the new state are turning to the
sea with the same vigor and enthusiasm
that has characterized their conquest of
the soil.
Israel needs the sea. Land is limited in
Israel and — though fertilization of the
soil and reforestation of eroded areas must
go on, with greater vigor than ever before
— if Israel is to become economically
sound, it must exploit to the utmost the
only unlimited boundary it has, the fron
tiers of the sea — 750 miles of sea-coast
stretching from Dan to Elath on the gulf
of Aqaba. Prime (Continued on page 61)
PORT OF HAIFA
Israel and the Sea
(14)
The Southern Israelite