TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK TIMES and if you wish to view it at NYTimes' website click here too:
Among the most disturbing political phenomena of our time 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
The current visit of Menahem 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
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
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
ultra-nationalism, 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 MAJSEL,
SEYMOUR MELMAN,
MYER D. MENDELSON, M.D.,
HARRY M. ORLINSKY,
SAMUEL PITLICK,
FRITZ ROHRLICH,
LOUIS P. ROCKER,
RUTH SAGER,
ITZHAK SANKOWSKY, I.J.
SHOENBERG,
SAMUEL SHUMAN,
M. ZNGER,
IRMA WOLPE,
STEFAN WOLPE.
New York, Dec. 2, 1948
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