The Diversion of the Zionist Movement
The East African proposition cannot successfully be opposed on utilitarian grounds. Argument on that score is superfluous. Who will object to a refuge for the persecuted, bearing in mind that only two countries are now open to them? There are over fifty thousand Jews who come to this country annually. How long will America receive them? Already they disturb the peace of mind of those who have settled here longer. In spite of all we may say, they are a constant, costly and irritating element. But in the present state of Jewish affairs, where else can they go?
The East African proposition, or any scheme for colonization on whatever conditions, touches on the strength of our organization. The question is, Are we strong enough to undertake this hazardous task? If a large number of our constituents have neither the inclination, the enthusiasm, nor the faith in what is so aptly termed a detour, shall we, as wise counsellors, insist on the issue, which will ultimately, if it has not already, created a division of our forces?
We have brought thousands to unite on Zion; shall we split our forces in half for the sake of this experiment?
Our paramount object is, The union of Jewish forces on the basis ot nationalism. If we accept the suggestion of a detour we shall be compelled to turn from making Zionists to making East Africans or Argentinians or New-Palestinians. It will be a diversion to meet opponents who are now in our ranks. We have been growing,slowlybutsurely, in numbers, in
clearness of view, and, above all, in strength of organization. We have been building up the Jewish nation on a definite platform of action. Injecting a new issue, a detour, we shall lose that clear conception of our goal, for no matter how we may reason it out, this movement to the South will affect our course in the direction of our goal. Explanations will be necessary, to tell everybody that this diversion is indeed merely a diversion, that it is not our principal object, not a march in a different direction. Our program has hitherto been simple: We Jews are marching on to Zion. We may excuse ourselves, but an excuse is an accusation of a default. Our strength will be turned to an engagement in our own midst, where before it was directed against avowed anti-Zionists. Just as we have convinced the orthodox that religion will not be limited or discouraged by the movement; just as we have persuaded the culturists that Hebraic culture and political effort can be simultaneous activities on the part of our organization, we shall be forced to turn about to spur on the laggards in our new enterprise. Obviously we must lose power in such work.
Two reasons are advanced in favor of the Detour. The utilitarian argument need not be presented. The other is this: To gain new adherents from among anti-Zionists, take this step. Is this gain probable? We believe not.
For we shall gain adherents from among those mentioned only to that proportionate extent as we swerve from our