Thursday, December 7, 2017

How Many People Will Die Over Jerusalem Is The Question, Not If People Will Die: The Disaster That Fascism Is

I heard one of the pundits note that Trump gave away the Jerusalem issue to the Israeli government for free, but, actually, I think he gave it away to the likes of Sheldon Adelson for the millions he gave his and other Republicans' campaigns.  Or he gave it away to his son-in-law or someone else. The mentally deficient Trump is a chump of anyone who can get to him but when it comes to this disaster which is guaranteed to come with a body count, likely a very big one, it was one of his business deals.

This was always bound to happen, eventually, that the American system would throw up a president as bad as Trump who could be chumped by the fascists who have pretty much cemented their control of Israel in place. That has been an ongoing process since the beginning of Israel, it's way past time that anyone should be allowed to lie about that, it was something that in this week in 1948, the likes of Albert Einstein, Hannah Arendt and Sidney Hook noted that the political faction that has, in fact, ruled Israel for much of its history has roots in fascism. 

I looked at the famous letter which was published by the New York Times 69 years and two days before Trump made his stunningly irresponsible and homicidal announcement, that it carries a warning to us, in the United States and a description of the Trump regime, the passage near the end of a "Leader State" as the goal of fascism made me think it was worth typing out the text from the original letter as published.  Also, re the likes of Adelson, note what it says about American conservative supporters of Zionism and their relationship with Begin's fascist party.   Also note, that the text as published in the Times consistently refers to him as "Menachen Begin"  which I copied.  I will, of course, correct any errors in my copy if you can point those out to me.

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New Palestine Party

Visit of Menachen Begin and Aims of Political Movement Discussed

 To the Editor of The New York Times:

Among the most disturbing political phenomena of our time is the emergence in the newly created state of Israel of the “Freedom Party” (Tnuat Harerut), 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 Menachen 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 segent 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 by 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 the massacre, publicized it widely, and invited all of the foreign correspondents present in the country to view the heaped corpses and the 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 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.

Isadore 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, Briuria Kaufman, Irma L. Lindheim,  Nachman Majesl,  Seymour Melman,  Myer D Mendelson, M.D.,  Harry M. Orlinsky,  Samuel Pitlick,  Fritz Rohrlich,  Louis P. Rocker Ruth Sager,
Itzhak Sankowsky,  I. J. Schoenberg, Samuel Schuman, M Znger, Irma Wolpe, Stefan Wolpe

New York, Dec 2 1948

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It's a disaster when a country is ruled by fascist thugs like Netanyahu and Trump, lots of people end up dying.   Israel might have the excuse of continual violence and the treat of violence for producing fascist rule there, though, as this letter proves, they were warned, as we were.  We don't have that excuse, it was imposed by TV and radio without any attacks.  Our Constitutional system finally demonstrated that it is quite capable of allowing disasters, if not over North Korea, over the powderkeg that the Middle East has been since the 1940s. 

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