LETTERS FROM THE PAST.

December 4, 1948
To the Editors of 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.

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.

(signed)

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, SYMOUR MELMAN, MYER D. MENDELSON, M.D., HARRY M. ORLINSKY, SAMUEL PITLICK, FRITZ ROHRLICH, LOUIS P. ROCKER, RUTH SAGER, ITZHAK SANKOWSKY, I.J. SCHOENBERG, SAMUEL SHUMAN, M. ZNGER, IRMA WOLPE, STEFAN WOLPE

http://www.globalwebpost.com/farooqm/study_res/einstein/nyt_orig.html

27 marzo 2002
Al Ministro della Difesa Ben Eliezer

Un ufficiale ai suoi ordini mi ha inflitto oggi 28 giorni di prigione militare per il mio rifiuto a prestare il servizio di riserva obbligatorio.
Io non mi rifiuto di servire solo nei Territori Occupati Palestinesi, come ho fatto negli ultimi quindici anni, ma io rifiuto di servire nell’esercito israeliano in ogni forma.

Fin dal 29 settembre del 2000 l’esercito israeliano ha condotto una “sporca guerra” contro l’Autorita’ Palestinese. Questa guerra sporca include esecuzioni extragiudiziali, omicidi di donne e bambini, distruzione delle infrastrutture economiche e sociali della popolazione palestinese, l’incendio di terreni agricoli, lo sradicamento sistematico degli alberi. Voi avete seminato terrore e disperazione, ma non siete riusciti a raggiungere il vostro obiettivo fondamentale: il popolo palestinese non ha rinunciato ai propri sogni di sovranita’ e indipendenza. Ne’ tantomeno avete dato sicurezza al vostro stesso popolo, malgrado tutta la violenza distruttiva dell’esercito, del quale lei e’ responsabile.

Alla luce del vostro grande fallimento, noi siamo ora testimoni di un dibattito intellettuale tra Israeliani della peggiore specie: una discussione circa la possibile deportazione e l’omicidio di massa dei Palestinesi. Il fallito tentativo dei leaders del Partito Laburista di imporre un accordo al popolo Palestinese ci ha trascinato in una “sporca guerra” per la quale i Palestinesi e gli Israeliani stanno pagando con la loro vita. La violenza razzista dei servizi di sicurezza israeliani, che non vede persone, ma solo “terroristi” ha aggravato il circolo vizioso della violenza per entrambi, Palestinesi e Israeliani.

Anche gli israeliani sono vittime in questa guerra. Sono vittime della scellerata ed errata aggressione dell’esercito di cui lei e’ il responsabile. Anche quando lei ha intrapreso i piu’ terribili attacchi contro il popolo palestinese, non ha compiuto il suo dovere: dare sicurezza ai cittadini Israeliani. I Tanks a Ramallah non hanno potuto fermare la sua piu’ mostruosa creazione: la disperazione che esplode nei caffe’. Lei, e gli ufficiali militari ai suoi ordini, avete creato degli esseri umani la cui umanita’ sparisce nella disperazione e nell’umiliazione. Voi avete creato questa disperazione e voi non potete fermarla.

Mi e’ chiaro che lei ha rischiato tutto nella sua vita solo perche’ continui la costruzione illegale e immorale degli insediamenti, per Gush Etzion, Efrat e Kedumim: per il cancro che consuma il corpo sociale israeliano. Negli ultimi 35 anni gli insediamenti hanno trasformato la societa’ israeliana in una zona pericolosa. Lo stato israeliano ha seminato disperazione e morte tra gli israeliani e i palestinesi. Per questo io non voglio servire nel suo esercito. Il suo esercito, che chiama se stesso “Israeli Defence Force” (Forza di Difesa di Israele) non e’ niente di piu’ che il braccio armato del movimento delle colonie. Questo esercito non esiste per dare sicurezza ai cittadini israeliani, esiste per garantire che continui il furto della terra Palestinese.

Come Ebreo io mi ribello ai crimini che questa milizia commette contro il popolo Palestinese. E’ mio dovere, come Ebreo e come essere umano, rifiutarmi nel modo piu’ categorico di avere un ruolo in quest’esercito. Come figlio di persone vittime dell’olocausto e della distruzione, non posso avere un ruolo nella vostra politica insana. Come essere umano e’ mio dovere rifiutarmi di partecipare a qualsiasi istituzione che commette crimini contro l’umanita’.

Sinceramente suo,
Sergio Yahni