The sun., 1919-08-03


a national homeland for the Jewish people
in Palestine") that the aim of Zionism had
been accomplished
1t is characteristic of the political Zion
lists whom Mr.. Sokolow represents to in
dulge in verbal bubbles. Because it has
been shown that the creation of Jewish
State" in Palestine would be an anachro-
nism and besides in contradiction to the
democratic basis of modern States which
rejects any connection between Church
and State necessarily involved in a
"Jewish State"-Zionists are now inclined
to drop the term, while retaining the es-
sence. But no matter what one may call
Il, political Eonism aims at the creation
of State that is to be distinctly Jewish.
Otherwise political Zionism has no raison
fetre. The movement stands or falls with
this aim; and if the aim be abandoned
then the colonization Of Jews in Palestine
becomes mere economic measure and Is
no longer a nationalistic measure.
" wI
Mr.. Sokolow carefully coneeals from
the reader that political Ionism has en-
eountered most serious opposition both
from Jews and non-Jews. In England,
in France and in this country many voices
have been raised in protests and organiza-
tons formed, against the attempt to or
ganize the Jews as a political unit, aye,
in protest against the basis on which po-
htical Zionism rests, that the Jews repre-
sent separate nationality. This is denied
in no uncertain terms. The factor uniting
Jews, as has been pointed out by non
Zionists and anh-Zionists, is a common re-
igion and the possession of common ira
ditions, born of common experiences, with
the factor of tradition surviving after the
religious bond is no longer felt. Political
Zionism has been condemned as mis-
reading of the trend of the history of the
Jews. The dangers and fallaeies inherent
in the attempt of political Zionism to
unite Jews on the basis of a common ma
tionality have been pointed out with the
result that strong current against the
aims of political Zionism has set in which
showed itself when the Zionists appeared
before the Peace Conference in March Of
this year with their plea to. reorganize
Palestine as the national homeland of the
Jews-if not now, at all events in the
future.
1t is in order to eounteract this strong
opposition that Mr.. Sokolow has written
his propaganda work, under the title of
History of Zionism, which was to be i'm
pressive by its very bulk. In order to dis
arm criticism, he INDUCES in such verbal
eamoufage as his extraordinary statement
that political Zionism does not aim at the
creation of Jewish State His big book
is intended also to conceal the significant
fact that of Jews settled in Western Eu-
rope and in the United States, where Jews
enjoy the same political privileges and
duties as their fellow citizens and where
they have become thoroughly assimilated
to the conditions about them, not fire per
cent. want Palestine to be organized as a
Jewish State. They do not believe in a
national homeland" for the Jews; they
decline to become hyphenates, citizens Of
one land with affiliations toward another
Many realize also the serious danger to
the position of the Jews scattered through
out the world involved in this anachronis-
tic endeavor to reunite them as a separate
nationality, and have raised their voices in
warning against the endeavor. 1t is recog-
nized also TO be a grave injustice to the
Mohammedans and Christians constituting
over 80 per cent. of the present population
of Palestine to formulate a policy which
involves wrestling the political control of
Palestine put of the hands of those who
have been settled there for many centuries.
vi.
This opposition crystallized at the time
% 1l,o e Al.