The Foundations of Zionism

 

As I write three days after the beginning of the joint Israeli-United States invasion of Iran, I recall so much just over the past days, thinking:  “Will we never learn from history?” .    Sabri Jirysis is a scholar, a historian, who cares deeply about truths which oft times are ugly.

Less than two weeks ago I “met” Fida Jiryis, the translator, and daughter of the author on zoom for the first time.   A few minutes later I heard and watched Peter Beinart interview Sabri Jiryis.   He added greatly to my knowledge.  If feels like a lifetime later.    I’m very upset!   Now a massive war or ?? is unfolding, after already genocidal horrific destruction in Gaza, which continues to kill directly, as well as through starvation and more.

The Foundations of Zionism has helped me learn much more about (my) history within Judaism; who I am as a Jew.  The conclusion of the book was written proximate to and concluding in 2025.   The core, well over 90% of this book, was written and then published in 1977, 49 years ago.

The books (primarily) traces Zionism from the 1800’s into the early 1920’s.  I was not aware of how little I knew, until I read this book.

It talks in depth about Theodor Hertzl (of course).    It discusses how Zionism moved and grew to the point where he did his work, mostly late in his short life.   It also talks of those who opposed him, and why they opposed him.

I knew a little of how in 1881 the assassination of the Tsar in Russia brought on massive Anti-Semitism in Russia.    Jiryis brought nuance and complexities in the book, helping me understand things much more deeply.  Jews had been significantly middle class artisans, and industrialization hurt the economic status of many who were not Jewish.    Scapegoating Jews was a good way out for Russian leadership.   Jews also faced increasing economic hardships, as they didn’t own the new, larger businesses.

Jews sought both economic and physical safety as they were pushed into The Pale of Settlement (including parts and all of future countries such as Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania).   They escaped in large numbers, where they could to the United States, as well as to Western Europe.   Relatively few went to Palestine because it was complicated to get to, and economically difficult to survive there.

Zionism was based upon “a Jewish home”, a “safe place” for Jews to be able to be Jewish, without persecution or death being a major issue.    Palestine (and then Israel) was supposed to be our (we who are Jewish) historic homeland, regardless of whether we were/are devoutly religious, or not.

Aaron David Gordon, an immigrant to Palestine from Russia in 1904, was 48, much older than most at the time.

“All our settlements, from their foundations to their roofs, their vineyards and groves, are founded by the Arabs, who work in them.”  In such a situation, “the country will not be ours more than it is now, and the people will not be livelier or less diasporic then they are now, even if we have the title deeds of the land that our practical Zionists strive for, or the privileges that bring joy to the hearts of the politicians.”  Gordon stressed that the country would finally “belong to those who suffer for its sake and work in it more than others”, for “if we do not cultivate the land with our hands, it will not belong to us in the social or national sense, nor in the political one.” 190 (p.292)

On page 293, Gordon is further quoted saying:

What have the Arabs created, during their entire time in the country?... The creation of the Torah, only, gives us an eternal right that cannot be revoked in the country in which (the Torah) was given, especially since the people who came after us did not create anything of this magnificence, indeed, nothing at all.194

The Zionists of the late 1890’s into the 1920’s were a set of people who often were divided in multiple ways.   Some were highly religious, and even amongst them were those who struggled with it “not being time for the return of Israel” to those who thought that moving to Palestine was a logical path towards such a day.   Zionists were also: non-religious, socialist, capitalist, labor union devotees for example and much more

Sabri Jiryis digs deeply into the history of what became Israel in multiple ways.   He is a scholar, who cares, but doesn’t simply seek simple truths.

The Foundations of Zionism confronts the myth of the importance of “Ancestral Israel”, as Gordon was quoted speaking of above.   Jiryis provides clear data showing how few Jews emigrated to Palestine out of religious concerns about “ancestral Israel” until the rise of Hitler in 1933.   Oft times the issues were monetary.   Jews came in and couldn’t make enough money to stay.   Jews who had the money to help their fellow Jews were more interested (the U. S. a big example) in “being American”, rather than being Jewish.

I knew nothing of the conflicts between Brandeis and Frankfurter, future and present U.S. Supreme Court Justices and the Chaim Weizmann, a giant of Israeli history.    Weizmann had a strong tie within Britain related to The Balfour Declaration of 1917, as well as post-World War I ties to The British leadership under the Mandate.

Much of Zionist beliefs that I grew up with and many fellow U.S. Jews learned of related to the relative invisibility of the Native Palestinian/Arab population.   Jiryis effectively shows how there was Palestinian resistance to the evolution of a “Jewish State” going back to prior to Balfour in 1917.   The resistance was “a problem” and as much as possible it was shoved at The British leadership.   I learned of “Arab riots”, most notably The Arab Revolt of 1936-1939.   Little then – as with now- related to the non-violent resistance, the attempts at dialogue, and the racism/nationalism/colonialism that centered upon “othering” those who weren’t educated and Jewish and from Europe and Russia.  

This wonderful book, while not perfect (of course),cl is a potential source of a lot of learning for a lot of people.   It clearly shows how “Labor Zionism” into the 1920’s and beyond built up the (positive) welfare state as well as the core systems, such as the banking system, which made a modern state possible.   It clearly shows how the Jewish Palestinians (and later Israelis) profited militarily from the World War I years until 1948 from Britain, primarily.

It exposes an ironic irony that relates to the collaboration of the Hitler regime with Zionists during a brief “window” starting in 1933, which helped allow Israel to become a country through multiple positives including some material advantages, while helping the Nazi leadership both gain monetary assets to help its economy, as well as “get rid” of German Jews, who were not allowed to come into the U.S., nor most other “western” countries.

The deep counter-narrative that is clear is how the Native Palestinian population was ignored, manipulated and in a sense “beaten down” over decades in so many ways.   Palestine had two wealthy large families.   They were played off against each other by the British.   (Clearly, the British had learned from India, how to divide people by religion and to seek to be the one who [falsely] “cared” about all – my impression mainly).   

The Zionists were forced to deal with the realities of the resistance of the native population, as well as the lack of concern of the British.   The native population, not only were exploited by the wealthy local families, but also by the landowners who owned the lands that were sold increasingly to Jews.   They lived in cities like Beirut, with another home perhaps for example in Haifa or Jaffa.   The native people most commonly lived in small towns and rural areas and were similar to Black People in the post-Civil War South, who were stuck financially in servitude to the former plantation owners.

I’m only briefly touching upon the issues brought up in depth in the book.   I’m giving a second copy of the book to a Zionist relative, who I think will appreciate much of the book.   He may take offense at the conclusion of the book which updates things tying together 1947-1948 to 1967 to 1973 (wars) along with Egypt-Suez – 1956 as well as the resistance of the 1980’s, Oslo, Arafat, and into the PLO and even HAMAS (minimally) and October 7^th until almost two years later, when the writing was finished.

If there is resistance in some, related to the latter portion (a small part) of the book, I’m fully accepting of it!

Sabri Jiryis spoke meaningfully for me (Beinart interview on zoom) less than two weeks ago of how he experienced The Naqba at age 10, as his native village Fassouta (where he lives (again) I think since the mid-1990’s), remained as a Palestinian Village near the Lebanese border (unlike most, where the people were forced into exile by the Israeli military).   He said that he then began to realize that he was a second-class citizen in his native country.   He said that subsequently as The Arab Jews (also discussed in the book) were pushed by The Israelis (Jews) to leave their Native Lands and became second-class (Israeli) citizens, pushing him, and his people, into being third-class citizens.   (Other Jewish writers have written about their experiences as Arab Jews in Israel.)

Working on racism, as a white man, requires me to be uncomfortable if I want to really help.

This book may push some to examine (or not) their biases against The Palestinian People.   No one can/will force the truth upon them.   The denial of many – I hope is starting to be questioned as Jews die from missiles from Iran.

Our aggression has finally faced resistance beyond October 7^th, that is more than one day’s major attack.   We will “win” (the immediate) war, if it’s even that.   I do not welcome the death of anyone in The Middle East, nor elsewhere.   I hope that those like my relative will hear more and begin at least “the journey” towards a Just World.   In the U.S. the Black and Brown People respond to my t-shirts – which support Palestinian liberation.  It’s the white male Jews – who are triggered and call me a Nazi, a self-hating Jew, or Anti-Semitic – when my only words to them are in response to their verbal assault saying: “I’m Jewish” (which makes me a “traitor” in their minds).

Love is the answer!   Fear – and hatred coming from the fear – may help “win the battle”.  It won’t, however, help one relax and feel peaceful for more than the moment.   I hope that the Iran invasion won’t result in Israel (or The U.S.) starting a nuclear war, which will likely obliterate all of us.   I have hope, while I also have a lot of deep sadness and anger.  

My allies at MECA – The Middle East Children’s Alliance are wonderful people.   One of them said to me yesterday that we (Palestinians + Jews) are “cousins”.   She also told me that we share a history and present of bad jokes including bad puns.

Fida is a “friend” – someone I care deeply about!   It is unlikely, unless I/we win millions in “the lottery” – with our $6/week Powerball budget – that we will ever meet in person.  

The fear and hatred ends – with meaningful relationships with the “other” to the point where she/he/they are no longer “the exception” in our hearts!    What I try to do is NOT “heroic” – at all.   The shaming I get isn’t threatening.   Fida is in danger of being killed.   Those close to the owner of the Iranian-American bakery and coffee shop that I go to are in danger.   My local ally herself– isn’t in “danger” (yet anyway)  but her pain and hurt is far deeper than mine can ever be.  I try!  Thanks!

The picture that follows is not from the book but shows the author and his daughter.   Anyone interested further – see: https://www.georgemarx.org/2023/03/stranger-in-my-own-land-fida-jiryis.html - which started out as my review of Fida’s INCREDIBLE book and includes a lot more – including the link to the zoom call of approximately three years ago where Peter Beinart interviewed her.    I found and friended her on a social media source and now we email each other at times.